Minuet and Scherzo

These are some pieces I wrote last year. There was an adagio as well but it was a bit boring.

I composed it for me and my friend to play. We have tried the Minuet but without much success yet!

The 'minuet' is not very minuet-like, but I couldn't think of a better name.

any comments or advice? Thanks in advance.

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The "Minuet" is more like a prelude. Maybe...prelude and scherzo?

Hey Spirit of Music.

I am a fledgling composer so I don't have a lot of knowledge (yet!) about the exact definitions of a minuet, etc. I will instead just talk about the piece outside of that kind of stuff.


The "Minuet":

I rather enjoyed it. Especially from about 0:24 on. I wondered at first whether the piano part would be more varied, but you proved that to be so as the piece progressed. Good development. It sometimes had this neat, time-keeping attitude about it, and at other times an espressive, thick sound. The fast section in the violin part near or around the 3 minute mark was exciting.

If anything, I wish I could hear more dynamic variation. I suspect the fact that it's a midi file has a lot to do with that though. For example, is the violin trill at the very end supposed to be softer (leading into a crescendo), than the midi presents it? It's hard to hear the piano's concluding remarks as the midi presents it. Anyway, pretty cool.

The Scherzo:

I liked the call and response (imitation) with the violin and piano at the beginning and in some other parts.
I like your piano writing in this style. I clicked on your profile and see that you play the piano. I thought so.
At around 1:45 to 1:55, the left hand piano part intruding a bit on the melodic line, but I'm also prepared to hear that that the midi is messing with the dynamic intent. But I am mentioning it anyway.

Overall, that was a light, entertaining Scherzo.


overall

Is the piece intended to just be just two movements? Oh I just read your initial post again, you had an adagio but you thought it was "boring" Well I was just about to say that it holds its own very well as a two part piece, but I don't know jack about the "rules" of the style you are writing in or whether you care to follow them. I don't think it needs a slow movement although if you added one in between it would add some variety. Give it a shot, if you want. I bet you could come up with something that isn't "boring" but rather gives a nice flavor to the whole piece.

Nice job!

If you add the adagio it can be a Sonata!

If you add the adagio it can be a Sonata!

Yes, it was originally meant to be a Sonatina

This is the original 'Adagio'. I don't like it as much as the minuet and scherzo.

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Giselle- thanks for the comments and advice! Yes, the midi file probably messed up the dynamics. I compose using Cakewalk Home Studio and it is so much effort to put in dynamics because you have to use sliders to record the dynamic changes as the piece goes along, so it's really hard to get the balance right.

I attached the Adagio, but if I was going to put in a slow movement I would probably compose a new one instead of this.

Very nice pieces!

To me, the minuet does sound like. But the Scherzo as much as I like doesn't really hold
traditional definition of a scherzo, and that's ok if that's what you intended. I'm not sure
if you know but, scherzos have been traditionally in a triple meter as that's what gave the
scherzo its musical personality. But I still like the piece! Both the minuet and scherzo sound
have such a fun-loving musical personality to them in both the violin and piano parts!
I do think you should consider adding at least another movement and make it a multi-movement
piece of some kind whether sonata or something else. Maybe you could continue it as a suite
for violin and piano? Just a suggestion.
Overall, I thought the pieces were great. They all seemed really well thought out. I did listen
to the adagio and I know you didn't like it. But I really didn't see what there was not to like about it.
But, that's just me. Anyway, good job and keep it up!

Thanks for replying I didn't realise Scherzo's were traditionally in a triple meter! Thank you for the comments though!

Regardless of technical definitions, these were enjoyable pieces with engaging harmony. You obviously know what you're doing!

My only comment concerns dynamics and balance. For example, in the minuet at about 0.56" there's a repeated violin figure that might benefit from starting more quietly and building up. I think editing the dynamics a bit could turn these into something very nice.

I note that you play these instruments. Great!

M

Thanks montpellier

I agree about the dynamics. I need to put some in. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is hard to get the balance right in the midi file. But I will try...

I really like the Adagio...but the violin is too constant. You need to cut it at one point for the piano to play alone.