String Duet - From the Depths of Night

Wow, I've never really posted any music of my own on the net before. This is pretty amazing. Let me just take in the moment for a few seconds.......Okay, well let us start with this work I just finished. The title of this piece is entitled "From the Depths of Night" and I was commissioned to write this piece by a friend of mine who is a double bass player. Originally, this piece was going to be written for double bass only, but my friend decided to have it for violin as well; his girlfriend is a violinist. Now, I don't really enjoy strings and that made this piece a little difficult to write, but I managed to get it finished in a decent amount of time.

I hoped that the piece would've been ready to play for our concert we had last night, but I also knew that wasn't going to happen. So, now, I'm just coaching my friend through the song and trying to make some suggestions that would make playing the piece a little easier.

Program Notes

From the Depths of Night is a piece for double bass (which can also be played on the cello) and violin that has two meanings behind it. The first is one's journey through the difficulties of fear and all other problems, but finally gaining the strength to overcome such obstacles. The second is the passing of time as night becomes day. Using one theme and its variations, each instrument is able to contribute to the journey and taking the listener and player on their own emotional escapade.

Finale File

Score

MP3

Criticism

Obviously, I put myself in a hole when I said I don't like strings. Well, try not to let that hinder your listening experience. I would really only love your comments of melody, harmony, transition, and whether or not you liked the piece. Any other comments will not be taken to thought and I will shame you for it.

Further Notes

I am a composer of concert band works and I intend only to write for that medium. If you would like me to write a work for you in this medium please feel free to email me or PM me. I may write other works for mediums I don't usually go for. Also, if you would like to play this piece, please tell me and I will speak to you about the piece and what I'd expect based on how it is performed by my friend.

Enjoy From the Depths of Night

Peace,

C. Winston:D

First of all : a little less attitude would be preferable. Also, in my opinion, a composer should not try to explain what the composition is about in this amount of detail cause it most likely turns out false. Unfortunately I didn't manage to discover any 'obstacles' or emotional journey, let alone night turning into day. (I can hardly associate the fact ,that the last third turns out to be major key whereas the previous parts were in minor key, with a night to day change.) I don't really sense these things you mentioned. What I do sense though is that you truly don't care much about the two instruments. I didn't find any understanding of the the instruments' character, their interaction is poor both harmonically and structurally. Also the bass plays an octave below than you suggested in the score therefore a cello would be out of range. I regret to say that, but this piece is absolutely uninteresting and easily forgettable due to its dull melodical and rythmical structure.

ps: You will face difficulties finding somebody who wants you to compose for him/her cos its already a composer's forum. And nothing is more arrogant to state which comments will and which comments won't be subject of consideration. It's none of our business really...