Xyc Page

Okay, I'm going to try to use just this ONE page for my compositions from now on. I am including just a bunch of random things. I haven't been composing very long so none of them are very long or anything.

Barcarolle - My very first piano piece I composed!! I didn't know what to call it for a long time but then I thought maybe Barcarolle. It's supposed to use a lot of rubato and there are a few poco rit.s in it. So, just imagine they're there (I didn't want to waste time putting them in... and it's very difficult in the notation program I'm using now). Also, there should be a full ritardando at the end. And dynamics throughout, too. As my first real composition this one is dear to me... :blink:

Elae - Just a random piece that I made. The name was just random letters I typed quickly when I saved it for the first time. I pronounce it /E.la.e/ (in X-SAMPA). Or, the last two vowels can be turned into a diphthong. Whatever. If you think it's a good start, I can extend it.

Erst - It was the first thing I composed on my current notation program. It's crap but listen to it and critique it!! It's not finished really which is why it's so short. If you think it's a good start, maybe I'll extend it too.

Intention in B minor - A more modern thing (I think) I wrote for piano.

Little Rondo in G Major - My very first rondo!! I play in a fairly amateur string quartet (I play viola) and I've wanted to write some stuff it would be possible for us to play.

Quartet - This doesn't have a name yet; it's my very first piece I wrote for a string quarter! There are two endings so if you hear it start over again and think it's boring just skip to the last few seconds to hear the 'real ending'.

Okay, that's it for now... comment and critique!!

Xyc (Bryan)

Barcarolle.mid

Elae.mid

Erst.mid

IntentionInBmin.mid

LittleRondoInGMaj.mid

Quartet.mid

Intention in B minor - The left hand is very subdued compared to the right hand, which is a shame since it sounds like it's provide some interesting counterpoint at times. I don't feel it's all that modern (actually, some of the progressions reminded me of baroque music, with added nonharmonic notes though), but I guess it's all relative. This piece is pretty short, so I can't really say much more - it's nice to see that you are willing to experiment a bit though.

Little Rondo in G Major - This is probably my favorite of the group; everything flows pretty smoothly, and the instrumentation is pretty solid too (I especially liked that part with the punchy chords accompanining the solo instrument - also the pizz part was a nice touch too). It was kind of hard to feel the "Rondo" in it, since the piece is relatively short and the main section doesn't sound like it's repeated frequently enough. Still, I'd like to hear this recorded (with dynamics and such) by your group - MIDI doesn't do it justice at all.

Quartet - This one actually feels more Rondo-ish to me, probably because the repeated section is more distinct from the others (watch your transitions though, or lack of transitions rather). And some of the progressions remind me of the other quartet (they are not different movement from a single piece, are they?) This would probably be kinda fun to play too, after you fix it up a

.

Thanks for the comments spc1st!! :D

All this stuff is s***... but please, comment if you can! Anybody. Maybe I'll just take these down and put up some other stuff... hopefully better stuff...

... Eeeh... I bought Finale 2006 today!!! :wub: (Sorry, it's just so very exciting... working with crappy programs and cracked programs and demos with features disabled is so difficult!!) Yay!! Soon I'll have Finale!! So exciting!! ... ... :)

Anyways... any more comments/critical suggestions would be appreciated...

Edit by letehn: i censored your S word! ;)

Barcarolle - A very slow stately piece in 3/4 time. You have a decent grasp of classical Common-Time practice. The piece itself is fairly simple without much in the way of difficulty to clog up your melody. It does not seem to end on the tonic though, which caught me by surprise. Not too bad.

Elae - I honestly didn't get a good feeling from this. It was reserved, and it seemed to have a wandering elody that just couldn't figure out what it wanted to do. You should experiment more with it though. It sounds like there's something good there.

Erst - This is just a simple experiment with cadences, and you did just fine in that regard. You could expand it if you wish, but there does not seem to be much more to it than that. Then again, Scriabin one wrote a Piano Sonata that was based on two notes. (actually, he did that twice).

Intention - Yes, definitely more modern than the previous stuff. Mostly it relies on syncopation to affect a modern voice. Lots of hanging notes here, though the chord changes are still fairly conventional. This would go well in a collection of short piano works. Nice indefinite ending.

Little Rondo - I like the main theme you use here. The bit early on where the chords are all choppy is kind of clunky and does not work too well. The second diversion is much better, more melodic and satisfying. The ending is nice on this one too. Ithas a strong uplift.

Quartet - Finally! Something with a faster tempo!! I like the underlying tread in the Cello and Viola. It gives an impetuous feeling to the work. It's nice to hear that unsettled quality to a work here.

Here's hoping that you continue to compose. :-)