Can I get away with this?

I finished the Menuetto to my current symphony project last week, and although I was quite sure of myself at first, I'm now not at all certain I can get away with what I've done here.

The Menuetto itself is one of my stronger specimens of this type of movement, so I'm not worried about it. The problem is the Trio section. I have no idea where this came from, because it's quite out of character for me. But along comes this lyrical, wistful melody tossed back and forth by the two oboes, sounding a bit like we've jumped from 1780 to 1820 - from Haydn to Schubert.

There is a part of me that believes this somewhat romantic Trio section contrasts beautifully with the sunny yet incurably classical Menuetto. The more traditional and authentically minded part of me says it might be a mistake.

What do you think? Can I get away with this, or am I creating a silly piece of mismatched pastiche?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

I think you could get away with it ok.

The only thing about the trio is that some of the major second intervals sounds a little out of place with the major key of the menuetto, if you know what i mean. And the very start of the oboe's melody sounds a little out of place in terms of intervals.

These intervals are important to the character of the trio though, so I wouldn't change them personally.

I think it's a great minuet&trio, and I'd leave it the way it is. If you're worried about the trio being out of character, listen to how the minuet comes back at the da capo, after the trio - they fit perfectly.

There is also a tinge of melancholy to the rest of the music, despite the sunny cheer, so whilst there's a good contrast, the trio isn't completely foreign in mood.

Those are my thoughts on the piece anyway. Masterful!

I think you could get away with it ok.

The only thing about the trio is that some of the major second intervals sounds a little out of place with the major key of the menuetto, if you know what i mean. And the very start of the oboe's melody sounds a little out of place in terms of intervals.

These intervals are important to the character of the trio though, so I wouldn't change them personally.

I think it's a great minuet&trio, and I'd leave it the way it is. If you're worried about the trio being out of character, listen to how the minuet comes back at the da capo, after the trio - they fit perfectly.

There is also a tinge of melancholy to the rest of the music, despite the sunny cheer, so whilst there's a good contrast, the trio isn't completely foreign in mood.

Those are my thoughts on the piece anyway. Masterful!

Mr. Graham: do NOT trash that trio, it is absolutely incredible ;)

Oddly enough Lee, this shift in time period works really well for your piece. I was really surpised. It caught my ears at once and made me want to listen to your piece again to catch the shift. I did and found it to be seemless. I do believe you can get away with it and I think you should do it.

Positively wonderful. Your work has always and continues to astound me.

I understand where you're coming from, to be wary of exactly how the two sections line up, and I agree that it's a bit of a leap. However, I think in the context of the whole piece, it works beautifully. Oboe happens to be one of my favorite instruments, especially for sweeping melodies such as this. The accompaniment was light, non-intrusive, and the melody was beautiful.

Great job. I assume you'll make this available to us as an mp3 in the future? I'd love to hear it.

Evan

You guys rock so frikkin hard. ;)

I'm grateful to you all. I'll leave it just as it is. Thanks for taking the time to listen and reassure me. I'm open to evolution in my personal style...I just hadn't planned on it happening right in the middle of a major project. Fortunately, it worked out this time.

I'll post mp3s and MIDIs when I get the piece finished, of course. 70 measures into the finale! Woo Hoo! :w00t:

Lol, that is nice. When the trio slipped back into the menuetto I couldn't help but grin. I think you have it in thinking that it's a beautiful contrast. Probably just me, but parts of the trio reminded me of Autumn Leaves. Definitely an entertaining combination with the classical stuff. ;)

Autumn Leaves? That's interesting. In the second strophe of the Trio, there actually is a brief 3 measure quote, stylized, from the Anniversary Waltz. This piece has been commissioned as an anniversary gift for some elderly people...I'm hoping they notice my homage. :D

I am seldom disappointed in your ability to recreate the classical style melodically, harmonically, and contrapuntally. I think the sudden romantic trio is fine since you brought the Da Capo back at the end without problems. It was common for composers (from what I've seen of classical menuets) and other pieces for them to slip from one style to another. Schubert in his early quartets (particularly the Menuetto of the A Minor "Rosamunde") changed from a romantic style to a more classical style several times. I congratulate you on another job very well done.

I love this piece, heh. I can't really comment much on it because, to be honest, I'm not good enough at theory to do so, but it sounds 'right', and I love the way it works together, so eye emm hatch oh, don't change it. :P