Brass Quartet no. 1, w/ Recording

Edit: Actually, here's the link right here: SoundClick artist: VerdiLver's - page with MP3 music downloads
*The recording is on the next page.

This is a piece I was commissioned to write by a fellow classmate; he and three other brass players are going to play it in a concert of new music May 1st. I was pretty rushed to finish this (just ask Daniel, I was up past 4AM regularly ) but I finished it in time for rehearsals and they started working on it last Thursday (I got to conduct them the first two times through ). So here's the piece with MIDI and EWQL samples, I'll get a recording sometime in May.

Hope you enjoy it!

SoundClick artist: VerdiLver's - page with MP3 music downloads
SoundClick artist: VerdiLver's - page with MP3 music downloads

That was nice, but the nastiest midi ever.
I'll be able to hear the Mp3 in a wee while, so I'm sure that will improve things.
Some nice harmony in this, and it built up a good sense of motion about half way through, although this was perhaps cut a little short - I'd have liked more of that, and maybe a build-up into something.
Those high Bs in the tpt are a total bitch to play at piano and especially without being lead into - but you've got an Mp3, so I'll assume the players managed.
(Oh wait, I just read it's an EWQL Mp3 - never mind)

I think this slow bit works well, but it could become a lot more if it lead into, say, an Allegro section/movement. There's no reason not to write a full sized quartet - just let the players play this Adagio, but add more movements to make a full piece.

Good work - and what seems pretty playable work, so good job!
What were the players' comments?

yeah, I have the MIDI just for completeness . Definitely listen to the MP3(s) when you get the chance, they're at least infinitely better than the MIDI.

I agree with what you said, about it being cut short and stuff, but of course I had to cut it short because of time issues . I would've liked a faster section but I just had to finish it .

The players really liked it, though, they said...a few complaints about low notes and high notes, but for the most part they were comfortable with it, they thought it fit into their program nicely, too. I think I'll definitely go and write some more movements for this, though with more time I'd probably want to plan out a whole new piece. Anyway, thanks for the comment

Originally Posted by Daniel

That was nice, but the nastiest midi ever.
I'll be able to hear the Mp3 in a wee while, so I'm sure that will improve things.
Some nice harmony in this, and it built up a good sense of motion about half way through, although this was perhaps cut a little short - I'd have liked more of that, and maybe a build-up into something.
Those high Bs in the tpt are a total bitch to play at piano and especially without being lead into - but you've got an Mp3, so I'll assume the players managed.
(Oh wait, I just read it's an EWQL Mp3 - never mind)

I think this slow bit works well, but it could become a lot more if it lead into, say, an Allegro section/movement. There's no reason not to write a full sized quartet - just let the players play this Adagio, but add more movements to make a full piece.

Good work - and what seems pretty playable work, so good job!
What were the players' comments?

If you have decent enough players, that part is fine. I mean really, the trumpet parts are perfectly playable, I don't know what kind of players you've been dealing with.

Good! Do write more movements!
The mp3 was positively gorgeous compared to the midi, although it still messed some dynamics up.
Small note: 1st tpt bar 50, the G natural is better as an F double sharp.

just out of curiosity are the trumpets playing C trumpets? The pedal E you have is still a pedal note on C in measure 64. Its doable depending on the players but it won't have that trumpet sound per say. Also do you by chance have a tuba player lying around. Its more common to have a brass quintet (2 tpts, horn, bone, and tuba). If possible I think that could possibly add more to this piece, and it would allow you to revoice some lines (the pedal notes for instance) and really fill the piece out. Its a very good piece, nice harmonies and line direction. Can't wait to hear a recording.

There are a lot of things I love about this piece. That building opening chord, followed by a moment of silence before being taken up again and morphed harmonically, really whetted my appetite to hear more.

The harmonies and moving parts in places like measure 13-20 and 60-63, and even the dissonance of places like around measures 28-30, are movingly beautiful, especially sustained as they are.

I love the colour change when you have the trombone and horn exchange the same notes in successive phrases.

The only thing I really didn't like about this piece was the ending. In my opinion, if you're going to build quickly to a dissonant climax like that after such a long, lyrical reverie, you'd better be going someplace else - like a contrasting section (I agree with Daniel, by the way, that this would be great as part of a larger work); or the climax itself could be the contrast, but make a denouement back to the lyrical material and end much as you began. But after all that loveliness, an ending like that disappointed me.

Even so, I enjoyed listening to this very much.

....a review from the great JLeeGraham himself! I am honored ...

First of all, let me say thank you for noticing the switches between trombone and horn, I wrote that quite deliberately and am very glad you were able to pick up on that. After hearing your thoughts on the ending, along with Daniel's, I think I've decided I'm definitely going to come back to this piece, probably this summer, and add a couple more movements. I personally think the ending can work, if you look at it in a certain way (a weird way, but that's the way I am ) but I still agree with everything you've said. Thanks so much much the comment(s)!

To answer your question Kendall, yes, they're C trumpets, I was specifically asked to use them. I know the E is low, but I love that low trumpet sound...the little canon at the end (yes, it's a canon, in case you didn't know) builds to the final climax/chord/ending, so I thought it appropriate to start low...the second trumpet player actually can't play that E, though...I'll have to ask if the first trumpet player can, if so I'll just switch those parts around, I suppose. Oh, and no tuba, that'd change the piece almost drastically, and it's a quartet I was asked to write for, not a quintet. Perhaps some day, I'll write one, but for now it'll have to be a quartet.


I'm glad you guys liked the piece!

(oh, and Daniel, I know those dynamics are screwed up ...bothers me all the time!)

I do agree that the low trumpet sound is gorgeous when a player can play it, but thats beyond the "practical low trumpet sound" have your trumpet player play the finger combination 1-2-3 (fingering for F# below the staff) and kick the third slide out as far as he/she can and lip the note down. That'll give you the best shot of giving you the desired sound. If he/she has time there are some easy pedal tone exercises that can help them get down to that range with a full sound. Best wishes on your piece.

hey, yeah, thanks .