Italian Concerto (with German counterpoint)

This is as of yet unfinished, but here it is, my first foray into a conventional chamber work; already approved by a member of Vox Saeculorum (so spare the plebian remarks). As the title describes it is an allegro movement in the Italian style, arranged for keyboard (alternating solo and tutti accordingly). Needs some corrections in areas, but here it is. It is presented as a video rendition of the keyboard emulator used to play it. Enjoy.

YouTube - Allegro nach Italianisches Art

im not a baroque expert or counterpoint expert - but im just going to say one thing: Loved it, loved it, loved it!..ok that was 6 things...well 6 words, but...ok im babbling now.

Excellent.

hi,

i tried, but couldn't hear something fresh and stylishly-specific in this piece. it sounds to me as pure baroque.

for a baroque piece, it is great, really. keep up the good work.

also, if you feel honored about any kind of approvement (like the one you mention), i think you slightly lessen it's value with your comment on leaving "plebian remarks". i wouldn't like that if i was the one having approved it.

I agree to a limited extent with Mr Rybak. It sounds perfectly pleasant, but doesn't have me humming along. In short, it appears largely harmonically correct, but it's not nearly as catchy, as harmonically adventurous or texturally exciting as Bach's Italian Concerto (after which I assume this is modelled). In terms of upsides and downsides, I loved the minor sequence with the underlying circle of fifths pedal. Please bring that back! On the downside, I really didn't like the chords being thumped every other bar, particularly when in the lower register. This was just taste - there's nothing stylistically inappropriate, other than in the idiom such crashes would usually be introduced, then hidden until the climax of a very obvious return to the tonic (or perhaps related minor). Use the crashes sparingly is my advice.

Admittedly, 'catchiness' may not be something to which you aspire in a concerto, but I assure you that it is of great importance to have a subject or motif onto which the listener quickly grabs. There's not much you can about this now, but I felt that generally in your composition I wasn't being provided many memorable snippets of music or signposts. In Bach's Italian Concerto, 'signposts' are provided by; the memorable themes, predictable sequences and a clear harmonic framework into which these are set.

This advice is all ephemeral though; the fact I can be so analytical is definitely a good sign. Congratulations on the Vox Saeculorum go-ahead. I've heard nothing but praise of them!

I am perfectly aware of the weaknesses in the work and it's overall weaknesses. However, like I said, you lot should really spare your plebian opinions. You lot are the kind of people who could have a lesser known Bach or Haendel work posted in front of you, and still throw the same kind of peon remarks at it. Zetetic's ramblings are legendary.

if we are so bad in our opinions, and you are so perfectly aware of everything, why post anything and ask for any opinions (and you *do* ask for opinions, that's what a forum for)?

sorry, but till now, the only person sounding plebian in this thread is you.

no matter if Zetetic's opinion is correct, he was politely pointing it out, nothing more.

PraeludiumUndFuge, I don't understand what you meant by "Plebeian remarks". Are you trying to flaunt your musical superiority in this forum? Humbleness will serve you well, even if you hear something you don't like.

If you really think that we who do you a favour by reviewing your work and evaluating it are being Plebeian, why do you post it there in the first place?

I find your choice of words demeaning. I think we would be more appreciative if you would want us not to comment on some parts, like stylistic choices, afterall, its your work.

You are no patrician yourself.

Are Bach and Handel infallible?

P&F - the animation looks pretty cool.

1. Structurally I feel that the opening ritornello is interrupted by the ripieno before a full exposition is complete. My 2 cents: the entry of ripieno could be delayed until after the sequences in the ritornello (new material)
2. The E D E C# repeats don't sound convincing to me.
3. Are the sporadic 'pings' limitation of the demo software?

Keep up the good work!

Just to reiterate, the piece is perfectly pleasant-sounding, the piece is boring, and you are an ass.

I thank previous posters for having defended me.

Originally Posted by PraeludiumUndFuge

I am perfectly aware of the weaknesses in the work and it's overall weaknesses. However, like I said, you lot should really spare your plebian opinions. You lot are the kind of people who could have a lesser known Bach or Haendel work posted in front of you, and still throw the same kind of peon remarks at it. Zetetic's ramblings are legendary.

I'm utterly dumbfounded. Isn't diversity of opinion what musical discussion is about? Were you honestly expecting, having posting a relatively unremarkable, unfinished composition on a children's website, to receive universally positive, university-level criticism? It would perhaps be easier to defend your position with better music than a wall of insults. Feel free to disregard my advice and that of other reviewers, but to discard it as unworthy is sophomoric and pompous. It will also deter people reviewing your works, though I question whether this is actually something you desire, or with which you can cope.

If you are perfectly aware of this work's numerous flaws, there's no need to ask for our input. The works of yours I have heard have been largely pleasant, but certainly nothing to be quite so toplofty and orgulous about. None is mistakeable for Bach or Händel, even to a 'peon' 'plebian' such as myself. You might be failing to imitate Bach with your musical offerings, but I'm starting to think you're doing a great job imitating the young Mozart's arrogance.

I'm off to cleanse my ears with some 'lesser known work of Bach or Haendel' (sic). Good day.