Violin Duet

This is a yet another folk melody of Cyprus called "Al Yemeni Mor Yemeni". This piece is actually performed but I do not have anywhere to put it so I am uploading the midi and score written in finale.

[attachmentid=4532]
[attachmentid=4533]


There is not much to say about this piece. It is influenced by the Violind Duets of Berio, which shows the great potential of this medium. My piece is again written in the style of Cypriot folk melodies where the rhythm is the main factor.

Thank you for listening.

Well I had a lot harder time making sense out this than the short tale. First of all, I am not familiar with the Berio duets, though being a sax player I have heard some of his solo saxophone works.
In structure, it seems very solid. The relationship between the two lines works well.
The esoteric harmonic vocabulary, however, is really hard to deal with. It's hard to really follow the expressive content. Actually, I'm listening to it again as I type this, and am following the thematic development much more easily. But as far as expressive content, it's hard to hang with this.
In my experience, these more "out there" pieces really do need to be carefully interpreted by musicians in LIVE performances. The pieces often seem to depend on the convincing dramtic performance of the musicians. It does not help at all that the midi file plays with such flat dynamcs and lack of "color".
This would probably be effective if played by really expressive musicians. While I can't say that I had a profound aesthetic experience while analyzing the piece, I do think that it is very well thought out and very "cranial".

*addition* While I thought this piece was very rhythmically driving, I think I would have liked a more "sustained" and lyrical section. Like I said I'm not familiar with Berio's duets and don't know exactly what you were going for, but I think more sustained notes on at least on part would have been effective. If nothing else, it adds to the possible contrapuntal nature of duets.

no more comments? from anybody ??

It sounds out of key at many parts... I can hear a good melody some where in there. I say get rid of one violin and add a cello to accompany the melody. After the climax part, just when I think it’s going to get good, it continues on its atonal path. Then again, that is my very unprofessional opinion. I don't really get atonal peices unless they are preformed infront of me... (much like what cmajchord said)

Here is a link from the performance of this piece.

Al Yemeni Mor Yemeni

Have to agree with mr cmajorchord the esotericism in this peice makes it rather obscure. A folk melody is usually something easy to follow on and join in (hence the reason for the name). I can't imagine it would be easy to follow on or dance to with a rhythm of 5/8, but i guess theres always a level of cultural difference that I and others might not be accostomed to...

Anyway I was impressed with the notation.

Hey Inal.

Did you take the score down? I was curious about it. Maybe the links just aren't showing up on my computer, though. I could only find the performance recording in the thread.

This is pretty fun. I loved your use of pizzicato right after the slow section, it was a cool variation of the theme, and how you transitioned out of that section into a wonderful dancelike section. It was just great! The conclusion was grand, so violent and then into that last sullen chord. Just cool. It's driving me crazy that this reminds me of this fantastic violin duet that I love, but I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the piece or the composer!! I desperately want to make the comparison. I must go look on my computer to see if I saved it somewhere from the CD. I'll edit this post if I can figure it out.

---5 minutes later --

Okay, of course I just found it. And of course, it was the allegro movement from the Sonata for two violins, op. 56 by Prokofiev, my favorite composer. how dare I forget? I have too much music going through my head, LOL. Prokofiev's piece is more "accessible" I guess, but I've heard some performances of it that reminded me of the style and attitude of your piece here. thanks for providing a recording, it helps to understand the piece a lot.

There's nothing I'd suggest with regards to improving it - I just wanted to talk about it, really. I always enjoy listening to your compositions.

Thank you very much for your comments giselle. I am happy you like my compositions.
I'm afraid I do not know that piece by Prokofied so I could not comment on you observations. But I will keep that in mind when I come across a recording of it. I know that you already commented on my piece but just that you asked I am providing the score so maybe if you would like to see how it is written and how some of the techniques are used.

[attachmentid=4789]


Thanks for listening and commenting. I really apriciated you comments.

thank you for posting it, I really appreciate it. It helps me to see how you wanted the music expressed, on paper.

(I'll edit this message if I decide to make further comments after re-listening with the score later)