Nocturne

This is a short Nocturne for solo piano. I wrote it after having a fruitful improv session on a piano; this piece came from a gestation of that improv. The piece is relatively simple and uses some techniques I haven't used very often, namely aleatory and free time. As such, the recording doesn't accurately portray those elements, but I did the best I could. I also made this piece simple enough for myself to play so I could play it at a recital. Once that happens, I'll post the recording.

Comments welcome. Enjoy!

Nocturne

UPDATE:

The recording of the performance this month.

I really enjoyed this one. I like the color the Bs Ds and As add to an otherwise white note sort of piece (and since they come back at the end they don't seem out of place). Very lovely in its reflection.

One small issue I have is that the fermatas are over rests. Even though you say sempre ped., it seems odd to have rests when, at least based on the recording, you really intend for notes to sound throughout.

From le shoutbox,

The nocturne is quite nice, Tokke, although I'm not convinced any of the aleatoric stuff adds rather than detracts / distracts from the music.

In a way, it's basically saying to the performer "you know better than me how this piece should be written", which I never feel. Yet, I understand the possibilities for different directions the piece can go in with this freedom.

Still, at this point in time, I'm far from convinced that a vagueness of intent is a good thing with music. But you have to try it to see, so you're doing the right thing.

The penultimate chord is fromage.

I'm far from convinced that a vagueness of intent is a good thing with music.

That's a good point. The more performances I get, the more I realize how important it is to be explicit. Some performers love having freedom, but most just freeze up when they're given choices.

One small issue I have is that the fermatas are over rests. Even though you say sempre ped., it seems odd to have rests when, at least based on the recording, you really intend for notes to sound throughout.

I know. I couldn't think of a better way to figure out how to indicate a stoppage of time. Any ideas?

I know. I couldn't think of a better way to figure out how to indicate a stoppage of time. Any ideas?

Make it a tied crotchet?

Bars 22-25: I would indicate which notes of that 8th note pattern you want the rh to play with the chords in the bass clef.

I agree with the randomization thing being problematic, at least write what this recording plays as a suggestion in a smaller staff above.

Otherwise, I really liked this! It's hard to make piano interesting with such a thin texture, and you succeeded quite well.

Reminds me a bit of the title theme for Zelda Ocarina of Time. xD

This is neat -- it's good to stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone every now and then, and try something different, I believe. One doesn't need to abandon one's roots entirely in order to do this :nod:

I love the moodiness portrayed in this -- and yes, even the freedom. I would encourage you to keep your basic premise of personal freedom in this one -- you've already made plenty of pieces where your intentions on how they should be performed are perfectly clear :thumbsup:

Thanks for sharing! :phones:

neat :)!

My god, Justin... this has to be hands down the absolute best piece of piano music I have heard on this site yet. I want MORE of this stuff! This is amazing. My only comments are on the rests - do away with them or have slurs going over the rests to indicate you want the notes to hold over. I am in love with this piece, any way I can have a copy for my mp3 player?

Regarding the fermata thing:

maybe place the fermata over blank space?

Otherwise, just tie the last note over. Fermata over a rest irrevocably implies a stoppage of sound.

I think the "arrow" section isn't aleatoric as much as it is improvisatory. You've got some pretty specific instructions. Many classical players I know freeze up at the thought of having to improvise in any capacity, so be wary of this. It's like calling for a cadenza without writing one. It is highly likely that the performer will simply write out something to play at that point rather than risk it. Is that something you want?

I guess it also depends on who you had in mind to play this when you wrote it.

Particulars aside.

Daaaaaaaaaang. Nice job, Tokke. :santa:

This is gorgeous - inspires me to go and write some solo piano stuff of my own... I agree with the comment about the penultimate chord being "fromage", but we're talking about high quality Camembert here, so not a problem for me...!

I completely agree with the previous post, it's inspiring! I'm still very rudimentary on the piano, and this piece is semi-easy; I'd love to give it a try. Or compose something of the like. So peaceful; simple and elegant, but wonderful. Great work!!

Very nice indeed.

My personal taste is that it is a bit to long, I think you have to make it more minimal than it is or put more melody in it.

But that's personal taste!

*yawn*

I like the aleatoric bit...but the piece is kind of boring throughout. It made me sleepy, so I guess it's ok as a nocturne...

I very much enjoyed this piece and found it to be soothing, relaxing, but at the same time, there is a darker side to the piece.

I think you composed this very well, and after reading your description, that this is from improvising. I think the best melodies come from a load of improvisation.

I couldn't find anything that I could tell you that would improve this piece as it is near perfect. The only thing I would say, is to have something between the rests like a slur or even when mastering the end recording, throw a reverb effect onto it.

Overall: a brilliant piece that you should be proud of, and I hope you are.