Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardener
Just a few things I noticed:
- There are many dynamic markings for the basso continuo. A harpsichord won't be able to realize all of them. Generally (depending on the harpsichord) you don't have more than two dynamics you can choose from by use of stops. Of course if there's another continuo instrument you may have more dynamic possibilities. (If it should look "genuinly baroque" you wouldn't usually notate detailed dynamics anyways though.)
- You seem to use harmonic minor in the whole piece. This is certainly possible, but if you want it to sound baroque you might want to use melodic minor when your melody progresses in steps, or some passages will sound a bit "oriental". Specifically bars 12 and 43/45.
- What seems the most problematic to me are two things: The high number of repeats combined with rather slow tempi and a very light texture. This means the rate of receiving "musical information" is rather slow, so one might get a bit bored. Of course I realize that this is also partly due to the dead midi sound. However, I think you should either increase the tempi (especially the Tarantella, but also the Passacaglia), remove some repeat marks, or increase the density by adding contrapunctual voices or harmonic variation. Possibly a mix of these. I think that with little such tweaks here and there the piece could gain a lot, and its beauty would be really brought to bear.
Oh and I really enjoyed the wit in bars 58/59. Reminded me of Haydn 
It's like something out of a fast Scherzo in a slow Sarabande. |
Thanks for the reply,
-I have a wider range of dynamics so if the continou is played by other instruments they can get a good idea of what to dynamic to play, I'm not really going for the genuine barouque score either.
-On bars 43/45 I missed a few A# here and there in the continou which is why it may have sounded a little wierd (fixed that). I think I am going to keep it in the harmonic minor, just so the piece is all of the same character.
- I've got to throw in some minimilism
Also generaly on most passacaglias Ive heard the repeat is played in a quieter dynamic. I also do have to speed up the tarentalla, your right about that.
Glad you enjoyed measures 58/59
