Solo Alto Recorder Challenge

So, as a pianist, and now also a recordist, I can't avoid comparing the amout of repertoire written for solo piano and solo recorder, the former is quite enormous, the latter is very scarce. So, I've decided to create this little challenge and encourage you guys to write something for solo alto recorder. Yay!

As a prize, I will record the piece and post it here (the quality of the recording is similar to my Autumn Competition Entry "Variações sobre o Siriá"). I may also pick the piece to perform live in some performances I MAY have during my master's degree here (please, notice, I MAY have, it's not a promise).

I don't have many guidelines for the entries. If you feel like you could do something, try. It'll be very welcome. I may even chose more than one piece.

I've also attached some advice on writting for solo alto recorder. If you have any other doubt, feel free to ask here, and I'll answer.

I'll set a deadline for January 9th.

Participants:

- bkho
- luderart
- Emiliano Manna
- Monarcheon
- Nikola Canada
- fishyfry

Sorry for going off-topic, but I really love this moment in the first movement of Vivaldi's recorder concerto in A minor, RV 445 (I think played on a piccolo here):

I have no idea how this guy does it in one breath.

Cool, I'm in! 

20 hours ago, Gylfi said:

Sorry for going off-topic, but I really love this moment in the first movement of Vivaldi's recorder concerto in A minor, RV 445 (I think played on a piccolo here):

I have no idea how this guy does it in one breath.

 

That's a great moment! I like it very much too^^

But, please, keep in mind that I'm  NOT this guy's level, hehehe. If you decide to write something like that, that fast, in one breath, I may simply give up, hehehe.

Thanks for the challenge. I already composed a piece for it. Here it is:

In case the last note - which is a high 'C' above the highest note (a 'G') you have indicated in your tutorial - presents any difficulties, here is a YouTube tutorial with tips for you to perfect your technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5BJDurzX6M

I wonder whether, should I be inspired with further solo alto recorder pieces before the deadline next year, you would consider them as entries in this challenge?

P.S. You never mentioned where you are pursuing your masters degree even though you said "here".

@luderart, thanks for the quick entry!! The high C is fine, but don't expect it to be played that soft, hehehe.

About my master's degree, it's in Musicology. "Here" means Brazil, northeastern region, Bahia State, Salvador City (not to be confused with El Salvador or anything like that, please). It'll take about two years (one and a half, as the second period has just begun this week). o/

Very very cool! I'll try a piece for sure.

Here is my second entry for the challenge:

I'll try my hand at it, why not?

EDIT: Question; @ChristianPerrottawould you allow pedal electronics as part of the solo-type work or do you want to stay acoustic?

22 hours ago, Monarcheon said:

I'll try my hand at it, why not?

EDIT: Question; @ChristianPerrottawould you allow pedal electronics as part of the solo-type work or do you want to stay acoustic?

 

I'd really prefer to stay acoustics, because it'd be much simpler to perform anywhere. I do like the pedal electronics idea, though. Can you think the electronics as an ad libitum part? Or two different versions? Or two entries?

2 hours ago, ChristianPerrotta said:

I'd really prefer to stay acoustics, because it'd be much simpler to perform anywhere. I do like the pedal electronics idea, though. Can you think the electronics as an ad libitum part? Or two different versions? Or two entries?

 

My idea for the pedal electronics can't really be reduced to acoustic levels. If you'd accept 2 entries from me, I'd be glad to show both electroacoustic and acoustic pieces.

Great! So do it! Luderart already submitted two pieces (up to now). I'm not setting a limit.

Here's my first entry. Since it has spoken word, unfortunately I have no audio recording for you, but I hope this is enough.

Strangely enough, I can't open your file with the idiomatic rules: the link lead me to Blaire's submission!

@Monarcheon

Hey, great work! One question: do you want me to whisper the words into the recorder (while fingering that B)? Or just outside, like normal speech?
Also, is there any meaning for these words? As my native language is Portuguese, I may tend to pronounce them in a Portuguese-like way... is that ok?

38 minutes ago, ChristianPerrotta said:

Hey, great work! One question: do you want me to whisper the words into the recorder (while fingering that B)? Or just outside, like normal speech?
Also, is there any meaning for these words? As my native language is Portuguese, I may tend to pronounce them in a Portuguese-like way... is that ok?

Normal speech is what was intended. There is no real meaning to these; they're just sound effects. For example, "tih" is just the sound of tounging a note... very short sounds and very exaggerated. Portuguese "pronunciations" would do this rather effectively, I think.

Hey, sorry for the last minute entry. Been busy here, couldn't even finish the last movement but at least these two might bring some joy to you. 

Hope you enjoy and good luck on you master's!

Sorry I never announced an intent to participate, but here's my entry. Hope you enjoy it!

Here's my second entry: again, no audio, unfortunately, due to the atypical nature of the piece, but I hope you like it!

My humble submission. Happy new year!

I know the deadline was on 08/01, but I'm really busy these days. I shall give the results this weekend.

Hello Christian Perrotta,

What happened to this challenge? Did you abandon it? Or are you having a hard time choosing the piece to play?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sorry for taking sooooooooo long to answer this, but my master's degree duties are driving me crazy. I just can't say enough...

Well, as for the winner...

@fishyfry Congratulations!!! Your piece is extraordinary! I surely will include it in my repertoire. I also plan to record it, but it may take like an eternity, as I'm really busy at the university. Maybe on April, my (theoretical) "vacation".

I'd also like to mention @Monarcheon's Sketch No. 136, especially the second movement (which I could play without all the difficulties of the other movements). I really liked some parts of it, and I may give it a further try later on.

Thank all you guys for the entries. And sorry again for my long absence. I may remain absent from the site for quite a long time, maybe up to next year's first semester. Wish me luck o/

Haha, I was afraid my piece was too difficult. Good luck with your studies!

@ChristianPerrotta Thanks so much! I'm really flattered you like my little piece. Hope your master's continues to go well!