Facets (Opus No. 08)

<p>Sterilium (a.k.a. Mark Anthony A. Galang, born 1980) is an unknown Filipino composer/multi-instrumentalist. Works under the name of Sterilium range from progressive rock and jazz-rock fusion to modern/postmodern classical music. Unlike typical academically bred composers of art music, Mark is about 90% self-taught in instrumental facility and 100% self-taught in composition. Apart from grade school music class, 2 years of private piano, and 3 years of private guitar lessons, a huge body of Mark's musical knowledge was derived from studies of music theory, listening to a myriad of musical works, everyday improvisation practice, the study of available musical literature, and experiences performing with various musical ensembles such as prog rock/metal ba.nds, RnB singers, and previous membership in a church choir. Despite having no formal or tertiary level musical training, Mark has composed works that span various genres and have reasonable technical demands for performers. As Mark believes in the concept of a gift economy, most of his work has been published and made available for free. <br /> <br />Sterilium has been influenced by the likes of J.S. Bach, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, and Edgard Varese, progressive rock acts such as Yes, King Crimson, Rush, Dream Theater, and Deus Ex Machina, as well as Jazz artists such as John Coltrane, Return To Forever, and Allan Holdsworth. A diverse range of musical experiences await the patient listener of Sterilium's music.</p>