DR. STEPHEN PEKAR
CLASSICAL MUSICIAN & WORLD EXPLORER
Besides being a climate scientist and writer, some of Dr. Pekar’s other passions include composing classical music (late 19th century tonalities), oil painting, and building furniture. He is also enthralled with exploring, discovering, and learning about new places and ideas. Dr. Pekar has traveled to over 60 countries in all “eight” continents, living and or working in eight countries—ranging from archeology in France, grape picking in Germany, movie extra in China, to house pianist in a restaurant in Israel.
A story of passion for music
Steve’s love of music started at a young age as his Dad shared his love of music with his children. He watched his Dad play passionately the trombone, baritone horn, flute, and the piccolo. Steve started playing the trombone in seventh grade and practiced every day (just ask his family) throughout high school. He was selected to be part of the All- New York City Band for three years in a row, which are chosen from the best musicians in the public high schools in NYC.
In his last year of high school, Steve fell in love with the piano music of Chopin. Because of his passion for his music, the first nine pieces Steve learned on the piano were composed by Chopin.
In college, he took classes in classical music composition at the Copland School of Music at Queens College. While life got busy him (traveling, college, PhD, post doc research scientist, professor), in the last decade or so, Steve has begun composing classical music on the piano again.
CLASSICAL MUSIC COMPOSITIONS
WRITTEN BY STEPHEN PEKAR
The White Continent
This composition was inspired by my three science expeditions on the Antarctica. The piece opens being on the military transport plane (C-17) with the thrill and anticipation of seeing Antarctica for the first time. This continues seeing Antarctica with the towering Trans-Antarctic Mountains and the Mount Erebus the most southerly active volcano.
The second part is when I visited the hut of Captain Scott who led the doomed expedition to be the first to reach the South Pole. The hut is almost perfectly preserved due to the extreme cold, with everything from furniture, plates and cups, etc. left in place.
The third part is when Steve organized helicopter trips for his team to explore the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. We were fortunate to visit to remote science expeditions during our two trips. The composition finishes with a recapitulation of the first theme.
This performance of this piece was at the Explorers Club after my lecture on the expedition I was part of that explored the newly named eighth continent of the Earth called Zealandia.
This performance was at the Explorers Club headquarters in New York City after Steve concluded his talk about the expedition he took part in that explored Zealandia.
Insert the file entitled Steve playing Antarctic white continent at the EC
The Ocean
This composition was inspired by his and his Dad’s love of the ocean. The composer wrote this piece for the listener to reflect upon their own experiences and love of the ocean, whether it be watching the ocean on the beach, being on the sea, or diving beneath the waves.
The third section turns darker trying to capture the feeling of a storm at sea as well as the pain he experienced after his father died in a scuba diving accident. This is followed by a section of mourning and attempting to overcome the sorrow before returning the first theme of the piece.
This performance was at the National Arts Club as part of the program on Greek Archeology.
The Nocturne
This composition is about the story of a young gentleman living in a small cabin and ventures out and finds his true love, only to lose her. Here is the short story I wrote about this piece.
7:31
This composition is about my emotions during the first 24-hours after my father died at 7:31 PM from complications from a scuba diving accident. It begins with the shock and utter sadness of learning about his death, asking the question why. The first part climaxes expressing the excruciating emotional pain I felt that first night. The second part begins that I fallen asleep and when I awoke my mind had for a short moment blocked out my Dad was gone. Then the horrifically painful realization came rushing back finally ending with the first motif.
A lullaby for my spirit
This is a composition written when I was at peace and content. As the name suggests, the piece was inspired by a time of calmness and clarity of mind.
The Marriage Song
This composition written the night I married Anahi. I composed the rest in the morning and then decided not to work on it any more as to keep the original emotions the music held.
Love Songs for Love’s Sake
Here are a collection of some love melodies I wrote when I was in twenties.
Valentine’s Day melody for Ani
I wrote this composition (never completed) for our first date, which was on Valentine’s Day.
SELECTED PAINTINGS BY STEPHEN PEKAR
The Legacy House
The Lost World Complex at Tikal
El Chalten, Patagonia, Argentina