Musicatlas
Music
- Sonata of War and Peace, 3 movements: Prelude to War, Longing for Peace, Fallen Comrade.
Other pieces include:
- The Begley Hymn, the official anthem of the Begley Family [download a PDF file of this composition here]
- Bella’s Anthem, for Brandon’s beloved daughter Isabella Marie Begley
- Ode to Joseph Glenn, a memorial piece to honor Brandon’s unborn second child
- The Ellis Family Hymn, to honor Victoria’s Family
- Prelude to Love, for every woman Brandon has loved
- Rest O Weary Soldier, for the weary, who fight for freedom
- Song of Alaska (Kelila’s Hymn), for Pete Kelila, a good friend and a native Alaskan
- Raging Heart, a memorial hymn to honor the passing of Brandon’s Father (Joab Begley), who died on April 4th, Easter Sunday, 1999
September Eleventh Memorial Symphony - Brandon J. Begley
Life
Brandon J. Begley, was born in 1984 in the City of Hamilton, Ohio. He grew up as a poor but gifted child who loved people and always made people smile.
His love for classical music began at the early age of 6 when he began to play the piano. it was very sudden at first, but he began to develope a passion for music which would eventually lead little Brandon on the course that would make him a fine composer of classical music. Brandon never read music, he just developed his tallent by heart, he felt the passion of music and it came out in the music that he played.
In 1999, Brandon lost his father, Joab Begley. The event shook him very deeply as he watched him being laid to rest in the hills of Kentucky. This was a turning point in Brandon’s life as he found himself composing his first major piece of music "A Raging Heart". The piece honors his father’s memory by bitter sweet melodies that described the feelings that Brandon had after his father’s death. After the traumatizing event, Brandon prepared for what would be a new start and a better life for him.
As he grew older, so did his love and passion for music. In 2000 Brandon wrote his second piece, "Song of Alaska" which he composed after watching a documentry of the beautiful wilderness of Alaska. Years later, he renamed the piece "Kelila’s Hymn" in honor of his good friend Pete Kelila, who is a native of Anchorage, Alaska.
In 2001, Brandon also composed another piece to honor a girl he loved named Tonya Aubrey. He performed it for her at a tallent show held by his high school. "Prelude to Love" is a romantic tune whch describes the romantic feelings Brandon felt for Tonya. Though the relationship ended in disaster undue influence of Brandon’s Mother, Evett Knox, Brandon and Tonya remained friends, and the piece was later rededicated to honor every girl Brandon loved.
On March 23rd 2005, Brandon married the girl of his dreams, Victoria Renee Ellis and thus lived a good life afterwards. Soon after, Brandon and Victoria were blessed with their first child and a beautiful celebration began. Brandon composed his first Anthem "The Begley Hymn" (The Great Royal Anthem, of the Begley Family). It is the official anthem of the Begley Family and will be passed down from generation to generation. This piece is the most beautiful piece that Brandon has composed and is a cherrished piece, for all of his family.
Brandon’s career began to take a turn towards service to his country as he re-enlisted to go Active Duty in the United States Army. On April 20th, Brandon reported to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and began his service to the nation in the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne).
Brandon’s Unit was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, when he found out that his first child was due on April 9th 2006. Brandon composed a beautiful piece which he effectionately named "Bella’s Anthem". The piece honors his daughter and sings the praises of his first born to all the world. That day was one of the happiest days of his life and he will never forget his love to his daughter. "Bella’s Anthem" will be passed on to her in honor of her family that she will have one day.
Some time around July, while deployed, Brandon attended 2 funerals of soldiers who had died in the line of duty. CPL Kevin F. Edgin, of Dwyersburg, Tennassee, and CPL Aaron M. Greiner, of Tampa Bay, Florida, were men of honor. Infantry soldiers who did what they were told to do. They paid the ultimate price in defense of freedom. After the second funeral, Brandon broke down into tears over the loss of those soldiers, and he began to compose what would be his greatest masterpiece yet. "The Sonata of War and Peace".
Brandon’s sonata is composed of 3 movements, "Prelude to War", "Longing for Peace", and "Fallen Comrade", each movement foretold of the pain and suffering that the soldier goes through before, during, and after a deployment. Each piece has different moods due to the feeling that soldiers have while on a deployment.
The first movement, "Prelude to War" sets the mood as a soldier prepares to deploy. It is a mixed emotional piece which shows the fear of the unknown, and the excitement of a new journey to a far off land.
The second movement "Longing for Peace" is a somber movement which a soldier lives day by day in worry if he will ever get home. The soldiers get mail, care packages, and other things that help them cope with the stress battle as they push on motivated and dedicated to the cause for freedom.
At the end of the second movement, the piece takes a draumatic turn for the worse as the final and most painful movement "Fallen Comrade" is set at the funeral of a fallen soldier. As the honor guards fire the 21gun volley, the formation breaks down and mourns the loss of their fallen comrades. It is a testament to the resolve of the American Soldier to fight for freedom in the face of adversity. The piece ends in triumph as the soldiers come home for the first time to family and friends. They great their soldiers with open arms as they march off the plane and into the terminal.
"The Sonata of War and Peace" is dedicated to all soldiers who have served in the past, those soldiers who are serving now, and those soldiers who will serve in the future, in loving memory of all soldiers who have fallen in the name of freedom. "They are not forgotten!"
Brandon is currently deployed to Iraq. After the events of September 11th, Brandon is composing perhaps the first classical tribute to the victims of the September 11th Attacks against our nation. The proposed piece is called "Overture of September 11th" and will be completed before Brandon’s tour of duty in Iraq ends. It is his way of honoring those who died needlessly at the hands of terrorists. Their souls will not be forgotten.
The music of Brandon J. Begley is a testimony to the resolve of our military forces to preserve our rights as Americans to live in freedom.
We very rearly hear of classical music that portrays war and peace in the same light, but Brandon’s music is one of its kind. A testimony of war, and the hope for peace. What a way to leave a legacy of honor, to those who faught to allow us the right to freely compose music, music of respect, music of honor, music of heritage. Classical Music, our generation rarely heard of it, but the dream will stay alive.
Brandon’s contribution and cause will not be forgotten. He is not famous, but the music he has composed will not be forgotten. The nature of its inspirations will have a big impact on the people who listen to it. It is truly music of war and peace, and a reminder that classical music, must not be forgotten and lost in history.
"Peace and prosperity, for all generations" (Brandon J. Begley)
"Love hath no greater man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)