Work-in-progress!

No, this project's not dead. I'm just home, and therefore not all that able to compose (pressure to quit music, and all). Not to mention fatigue from recent exams. Can't wait to get back to California on Saturday... I'll probably be composing full-time for a few days before classes start up again.

I've added a bit after the middle section of the second movement. Somewhat of a recapitulation, though it's clearly not the end of the drama.

Third_Movement.sib

Everything from about 2:25 onward is mostly a melodic skeleton, and probably enough to tell what I intend to do with the next couple minutes of music.

pianoquartet_mvmt2midsection122705.mid

Latest update on the first movement... still moving along steadily.

Here's the start of it...

O_Death_rock_me_asleep.MUS

And here's the beginning of the recapitulation that I'm working toward.

sonata_in_d__jump_.mid

Continuing to work, slowly, on the first movement. Hematology exam got in the way for a while.

I ended up making some changes (and an insertion) around the 2-minute mark that I think make it more coherent. Also, right at the end, an idea that is going to get expanded on a bit, that should lead into the recapitulation, which will probably begin around 5:00 as the pieces is going now.

Will someone please comment on the changes since the last update? I know someone has to have an opinion, there's been a good bit of progress since the last time anyone commented (in October!).

I honestly can't find any faults with the latest instalment you have posted. I think the only faults that will really be found in this piece will display themselves once you have composed the whole thing. This could include things to do with structure, coherance, etc.

It's good work, keep it up.

Very good work Caltech... I love what I'm hearing. Keep it up!

Can a young piano player learn this peace with ez? :)

Can a young piano player learn this peace with ez? ;)

Probably not. It's not an easy piano part at all.

Here is the latest progress on the first movement.

I've decided I'm spinning off the 4th movement as a separate piece, scrapping what I had of the 3rd movement, and writing a new 3rd movement that takes the place of both. I've already started it, but I don't have it on this computer.

Ah, inspiration again. Latest version of first movement is posted. Please note that from 4:44 to 5:24 (bars 200-227) it is only sketched out, with not all parts present.

Chamber Of Angels.mid

Andrew, that piece is coming along beautifully! There are moments where you sound like you're channeling Brahms, but actually it continues to be in a unique yet decidedly late romantic voice. Your piano writing is improving exponentially. Looking forward to hearing this piece when it's done.

This is a wonderful work!

It's funny, it actually has something of an Italian/Spanish flair to it in my mind's eye (or ear I suppose, in this case...). Well written, pleasing and professional. I like how you kept a very consistent level of quality and such throughout, no really noticeable gaps where you paused in your work; that's admirable. My only complaint is that it begins to get a bit boring towards the end, I suggest something to keep things interesting; just a thought.

Keep this up, it's wonderful so far :D

1st movment:

Starts very nicely in good harmony. I like it when the main melody comes in (beginning)

Generally very very well harmonized.

All I have to say is that I kinda get sick when listinning it feels like being in a roller-coaster. And I get sick in them ;)

Can't really figure out why I feel like that. But don't bother about that, it is just me, ONE sick b^*stard >_<

Well in overall I think you really know how to use inst. to the max, it is very skillfully done.

P.S I like your themese that contrast each other very well.

(Haven't had time to listen on the others :shifty:)

Oh, by the way... latest first movement progress. Just filled in some chords, still have more to fill in but don't feel like doing it right at this moment.

chainedsoul_angelofinnocence.mid

Saiming - I actually agree a little, sometimes I feel like I'm rushing from idea to idea a bit. Anyone else think the same? And any suggestions for rectifying that?

Hi i am new here :) , have a question to CaltechViolist,

why you write Viola part in G key ? not alto key

It's in alto clef. It may be your software that's loading it in treble clef, if you're trying to import the MIDI.

Oh, by the way... latest first movement progress. Just filled in some chords, still have more to fill in but don't feel like doing it right at this moment.

chainedsoul_angelofinnocence.mid

Saiming - I actually agree a little, sometimes I feel like I'm rushing from idea to idea a bit. Anyone else think the same? And any suggestions for rectifying that?

Just listing things that my ears question on first listen.

M. 17-18 Implied parallel 5ths in base are not so bad except you don't have any contrary motion going on in other voices.

M. 44 last eight note "F" in violin awkward as well - maybe an Eb?

Voiceing of C minor chord at end of M. 46 particularly the placement of the G in the piano part at beat four.

M. 56 what you probably hear as a b minor chord in the violin, I hear as a continuation of the G pedal in the preceeding measure, which was a G7 chord. So my ears hear a G major7 chord at M 56, which sounds very awkward coming from a G7 chord (M. 55) and going to a G minor chord (6/4) in M. 57

M 71 last eighths going to M72 - parallel octaves in cello and piano right hand. Also, for some reason E to E in violin at the same place sounds off.

M 106 F in piano spells a Gminor7 chord which just feels out of place. Too thick or even jazzy for this peice. A 7th chord in the middle of nowhere - and a minor 7th at that.

Base line at 110 - huh? In fact what's going on from 109 to 113 - You're in another world harmonically. It's ok - but does it belong in this peice?

M 128 -- WAY COOL!!

The jusxaposition of styles between say M143-147 and what follows from 148-153 is just.. well.. bizzare. - I guess I just don't understand why - Is there a programatic thing happening here like Canzano's schizophrenic opera?? ;)

M. 176 I know you want a nice big passing note in the piano at the last 8th note (A) to balance the F# in Measure 172, but could you use a different note? Something in the vertical structure there is just too muddy or something.

I love that stuff at 196... also 211 to 220

Lots of great stuff, I love the way you rattle through chords on your way to a destination. At first, I liked your modus operandi of starting with traditional sounding melodys and their traditional sounding treatments and then taking them out. But it occurs to me that you overdo it. It almost becomes predictable in a sense. Not neccessarily where your going to go, but rather, when you going to make the switch. I hope that makes sense.

Just my ramblings = for whatever it's worth.

Much better :)

the lastest one that is, but I jus find that there is a melodi somehwere around 3:20

That doesnt really fit in.

But I think you have solved the haste-problem gallantly :)

leightwing - thanks for the detailed critique. I haven't acted on it yet - I got a pretty detailed review on my blog as well, so I'm trying to digest the two before making any big changes.

All I've done so far is fill in parts where I hadn't finished doing so. I haven't added to the length at all since last update. That said, the piece should sound a lot fuller in a couple places.

The Heart without Reason.mid

Bump.

Someone say something. Anything. Somewhat updated (though not completely up to date) version below. I think all the parts are filled in for the entire length that I've written now.

orchestral songs 1.pdf

I enjoyed the melody that came in around 30 seconds. The piano figuration added some nice movement which propelled the piece foward. In general, from what I've heard so far, the piano writing is nice in that it really doesn't dominate, it supports and comments on the other instruments. This melody reminds me of some of the old Cuban songs of independence.... the sort of minor-melody drama and all.

The section around 5:00 (after the ritard) seemed to drag a bit, like it wasn't going somewhere. There was also a cello part in this spot that was covered up by the piano and sounded non-directional.

My two main criticisms are:

1) The string instruments are not being used to thier full advantage. Some different string effects, such as pizzicato or harmonics can make thier parts sound more adventurous and string-like. As it stands, this could easily be rewritten for piano duet, in other words, it needs to really feel like a piano + strings piece.

2) The parts did not sound especially good in the horizontal plane all of the time. In general, your sense of vertical harmony is very good for this style of writing. The harmony you have provided gives the piece direction and flow. However, horizantally (contrapuntally), the parts didn't always seem to make sense to my ear. Instruments would seemingly drop in and out arbitrarily, most likely to fulfill the requirements of a certain chord or other in your harmonic scheme. When an instrument leaves or enters the overall texture, there should be more than harmonic reasoning for it. It needs to progress in a logical orderly manner. In some places, this is done excellently - the first 30 or so seconds of your piece are wonderful in this regard. When the piano enters, it really makes sense to the ear. However, later on in the piece this sense is not as strong (esp in the part after 5:00). Primarily, the problem seems to be with the cello, it does not always sound like a strong voice to me in this, more like it is there simply because it has to be. Unfortunately, there isn't really much that can be done to solve this in your piece without major rewriting at this point. Rather, it should serve as advice for future works.

You should really finish this - it is a good work and deserving of a good ending. Hopefully, you can get this performed, becuase a live performance almost always is superior to a MIDI one... although I guess that's fairly obvious.

Unfortunately, MIDI doesn't render double-stops the way real instruments would... the strings are absolutely needed.

As for the cello, I'm not sure what you're referring to? Any specific points where you feel that way?

The part going from 4:15 into the recapitulation is supposed to build to a huge climax... the cello part should actually stand out for almost this entire time. Are we listening to the same movement?

I'm not going to pretend to know anything useful from a technical standpoint.

I'll just respond to what I've heard.

mvt 1 start

I liked this opening, especially after 1:30 Actually, I thought it really improved in depth and maturity as it went on. I don't think the intro does it justice. It is a really moving movement (heh) and I just want it to have this thick, delicious piano entrance right from the start. The delicate piano during the 3-4ish minute range alternating dark runs and chords was pretty cool. I know midis are demented, but I can sense the dynamic ranges and appreciate that. If a midi can get that across to me, then it must all be written in pretty effectively.

mvt 2 start

This wasn't my favorite of the three sections I listened to, but it seems to be on its way. I just wish I could hear it with actual people performing it. I don't know much about writing for strings, but I think the most interesting part in this section of the second mvt was around 1:35? The cello part. I thought that was pretty complimentary.

mvt 2 midsection

Super! The piano runs toward the end/last 30 seconds of the first minute were very joyful and effective. Around 1:20 I especially liked the piano writing as well. The last time the piano enters in this segment is really gorgeous. Did I mention I like the piano writing? ok. Right at 0:22, something sounded funny to me. Like an odd doubling or combination of notes. I don't know what it was exactly, midis are so unforgiving. yay mvt 2 midsection.

overall

I like this quite a bit, and it is just a work in progress so certainly you have a lot you will change and add to it so I think it has great potential. I know it takes you a while to complete stuff as you are amazingly busy, but I hope this is one of your projects you plan to finish and share here. I just love it. Don't doubt yourself.

What inspired this particular piece, CaltechV?

I just realized that my current rate of progress is an average of a little over 1/2 measure per day... :sadtears:

That said, the last month or so has produced something, at least before it ground to another halt. Here's the current status of the 1st movement.

WorldofWarcraft.MUS

From 6:13 onward the cello part has not been written, and everything from 6:18 onward (3 measures or so) is uncertain.

I'm mainly interested in two things:

1) How well does the added material (from 5:51 onward) fit into the overall form, given that I have already recapitulated the 1st major theme?

2) From 5:54 to 6:07. the viola needs to be noticed... would the violin and cello playing in octaves for most of that time necessarily drown it out in actual performance?

Bumpity.

Getting close to four full days, and not even a single download of the latest update?! This is ridiculous, even by YC standards!

Hey man... get used to it... I get only like one or two comments when I upload. I listened to the first movement and immediately put on my recording of the Brahms C minor piano quartet. You HAVE heard his piano quartets right?

Hey man... get used to it... I get only like one or two comments when I upload. I listened to the first movement and immediately put on my recording of the Brahms C minor piano quartet. You HAVE heard his piano quartets right?

I started writing this piano quartet when I was in a group playing the Brahms G minor piano quartet. I've heard all three quartets, played two of them as well as his piano quintet. You could say it was the Brahms quartets in particular that inspired this.

By the way, I am used to the lack of comments. I've had to deal with it since I started composing. It's actually better than it used to be, when sometimes it would be two or three months before the first comment would show up. I just get more annoyed with it these days because I'm already putting up with too much crap in real life... ;)