Stabat Mater (Polish Translation)

For a while I have been looking for a new sound in my composition, I wrote some string quartets, solo piano pieces, woodwinds trios, etc. Then came lent and as an organist for the Polish Masses in the UK I was inspired by the text of the Stabat Mater. I planed out the harmonies etc. (all slight atonality can be explained) and I came up with this. Stabat Mater is a rather strange piece in a style in which I have never wrote before; but sure that was the plan to look for new sounds. Sibelius voices midi files are very bad so I prefer if you take the score play through it yourself ;). I hope that this will get me closer to the new sound which I am still continuing to look for.

I like that you're trying to branch out and create something with a new sound. It's certainly not easy to do. I'm not sure you've fully achieved what you're trying to do with this piece though. The two vocal lines I would say need a little more development in terms of melody. Also the inter-play between the two is almost non-existent. I know that you are trying to shy away from typical use of counterpoint but I wouldn't abandon it all together! Personally I don't think that you should only have the soprano come in at the last seven bars. Yes, it leaves me wanting more but it also makes me think that the piece isn't totally finished.

I do like the sparseness of the piece. The fact that you have the piano playing pretty dense chords that are not fully melodic and not completely atonal is quite well done and I'm sure wasn't easy to devise so kudos on that!

All in all this is a very interesting work and a valiant effort. It's good to know that you are searching for a new sound but I would make this one suggestion: Don't worry too much about trying to create a completely new and unique musical genre. I would say focus more on generating your own personal style and more importantly music that you actually like! I think when it comes to "classical" music we all have to strive to not sound derivative of others, which does take a lot of trail and error and lots and lots of writing. Early Beethoven sounds very different from mid to late period Beethoven, for example.

I hope this review helps. I'm not trying to be overly critical but I did want to give you my honest opinion of the work.

Thank You! I was very interested myself to see how the piece is going to frame. I planed the soprano voice to interact much more with the tenor but well... It somehow didn't happen. Before I start developing my own style I want to experiment and find something I am very happy with. For few days now I have been experimenting with whole tone scales and I will post some music on that as well.

Thank you, I will look into the piece and many do all the things that I planned before going "new" about the piece.