Start of String Quartet and Piano Quintet

Start of ideas for a new string piece, I think I'll probably write it as a String Quartet, but may possibly end up as a Violin and Cello duet.

Would be great if you could give me an opinion on the material so far, and thoughts on which ensemble to score it for :)

And also start of Piano (string) Quintet, any feedback on this would be fantastic.

Sophie

I think you should keep it as a piano quintet. I really loved the second movement! I think it would work best as a piano quintet because of all the constant rhythmic figurations. It is a bit diatonic for my tastes, but I really liked the constant energy of the piece, jaunty but not jarring, with lovely syncopated melodies against a fun rhythmic accompaniment. Great job on this movement/section, keep up this overall energy, but take it to new levels, without straying to far from your original material, which I think you do a nice job of sticking to throughout what you have so far.

The first movement/section is more chromatic, which a like, but still very bare. I think you could keep that as a piano quintet as well, and slowly add in other duos or trios of instruments until they're all playing at once.

Again, great work so far, just keep it up and finish it :)!

The string quartet sketch wasnt really working for me, but the piano quintet is pretty sweet so far! You have a great sense of rhythm, but contrary to what Dirk Gently said I would not keep this all the way through. Personally, I would enjoy it if a more 'conventional' rhythm would show up (less complex, accenting the strong beats of the measure)... but not in different sections! Just a measure popping up from time to time in between the style you have already set up as contrast and to keep things lively and surprising. This reminded me of your other works harmony wise, I like how you stay true to your own personal style. You could possible deepen the sound from time to time to create some contrast (like with the rhythm), using fuller chords, more romantic in sound.

I believe these things would give this piece more colour so to say, and thereby enhancing and even stressing the parts you already wrote for their style and playfullness in instrumentation and rhythm.

Just some thoughts, good luck!