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Left Unspoken (Piano Trio)


Noah Brode

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Hello! Here is my submission for the Secret Santa composing event organized by @Jean Szulc and @Left Unexplained. It's titled "Left Unspoken," it's scored for piano trio, and it was inspired by my Secret Santa topic: the word mamihlapinatapei, from @TheCluelessClariney. In their own words:

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The word mamihlapinatapei, comes from the Yaghan language of Tierra Del Fuego. It refers to the wordless, meaningful look shared by two people who both want to initiate something, but are reluctant to do so. It can refer to an unspoken but private moment shared by two people when each person knows the other understands and is in agreement with what is being expressed.

My piece comes in fairly short at just under 4:00. It is structured as a simple A-B-A format, with one more contemporary-sounding section sandwiched between two more CPE-sounding sections. I hope the theme comes across in the interplay between the violin and cello, particularly at the end. Made with MuseScore 3. As always, all criticisms and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for listening. 🙂

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Very interesting work. It's admirable that the cello lines permeate all manners of the texture, from low to high regardless. And while I think it might be beneficial to fill in the half notes at C with a little more counterpoint, it does sound very song-like in nature, especially with all the syncopations in the main motives. 

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Thanks for the review @Monarcheon! I was a little worried about the lower cello range sounding muddy alongside the piano, but I think it turned out OK. The cello seems to be able to "cut through" in a way similar to the human voice. I'm glad you think it sounds like a song -- that's pretty much what I was going for, a love song between the violin and cello. Thanks for listening 🙂

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As with everything you write, this work almost literally sings with emotionality. The dialogue you establish between violin and cello especially, but even among all three soloists, is organically interwoven, and I can feel the unspoken words swell in my heart as I listen. The chord progressions are equally moving; I may or may not have teared up listening to this. 😭You sustain the feeling of longing throughout the work without generating boredom. I mean... top-notch stuff, Noah!

That is a great word btw. Wish it were shorter and more pronounceable, lol.

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Very lyrical and seems to capture some of the coyness of the subject and apprehension through that middle section - well contrasting and harmonically interesting as it builds up. The dialogue stands out well.

Most enjoyable. A pleasant listen.

.

Edited by Quinn
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  • 2 weeks later...

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