Sonata in Eb for Wind Quintet

Hi, everybody,

Just recently my composition instructor suggested that I venture into other forms and styles of composition other than the baroque. Its supposedly a part of the process of finding my own unique voice.

I personally have difficulty accepting this: I believe that my natural voice is the baroque, but no on seems to care or take that point seriously.

Anyway, here's my first attempt at classicism and sonata-allergo form:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=430217

(the one on top)

I don't really like it very much, though I tried to make it as interesting for myself as possible within the given requirements .... ahh well.

If anyone has thoughts on the piece, or on my situation in general, feel free to share.

- BE

I'm not the person to review this, ok with baroque organ music but little else from that era.

This piece is ok though the instrumentation isn't always clear from the samples/instrument you used. Nice tune at 0.38" and the development flows. Still has tinges of baroque.

As to your situation, it depends on how you see yourself in a few years' time i.e do you want to take up composition professionally or semi-pro? If so, it's wise to broaden your horizons. If not, compose what you like. You might move away from the baroque on your own. Just respond to whatever inspiration strikes.

M

Still has tinges of baroque.

I guess thats what I meant in "keeping it interesting for myself"....oh boy!

I'm not exactly sure what I'd be doing in a few years, but I'd love to publish something.

- BE

it is a fascinating piece! you seem to write very easily in this style too! very enjoyable, with a joyous mood which is really delightful, congrats!

Just recently my composition instructor suggested that I venture into other forms and styles of composition other than the baroque. Its supposedly a part of the process of finding my own unique voice.

Here we go again...:laugh:

Just by being a "classical" (lower-case 'C'), you're limiting yourself. If your composition instructor doesn't venture beyond the realm of "art music", conventional instrumentation, etc., then he's guilty of the same sort of limitation that he's implying you have.

The question is, do you slavishly copy the Baroque masters or do you add something to it that is your own, without compromising the fundamental Baroque quality of it?

All of the Baroque greats were distinguishable from each other, yet they worked within the same framework and aesthetic. Some of the worst Baroque composers turned out inferior imitations of their more competent counterparts. And it shows.

The composition you wrote is indeed very good. I can write Classical-style pieces just as convincingly as I can write Baroque, but I'm a Baroque person and that's where I'm staying...for the time being at least.

I'm trying to see where I can infuse new life into the style, but that will hopefully become more obvious in time.

But I can afford to do that because I don't do this for a living.

The question is, do you slavishly copy the Baroque masters or do you add something to it that is your own, without compromising the fundamental Baroque quality of it?

I write as it comes to me. I don't refer to others. I know what I like and I do it and it makes me feel good inside. And if that just happens to be baroque, then whats wrong with that.

I feel with this piece, I had to make a conscious effort to "switch modes" ; it's not natural for me.

The baroque even shows in the small drawings I create from time to time (I'll post one soon when I can). It's just the way my mind works.

But I don't understand why everyone is bent against this way of thinking, when it makes so much sense.

- BE

Actually, I found some right here.

Just recently my composition instructor suggested that I venture into other forms and styles of composition other than the baroque. Its supposedly a part of the process of finding my own unique voice.

I think it's a good idea - that is, unless you dislike the style or form you're asked to write in. Prior to comming across the "Fuge challenge" thread, I had never written a fuge. Doing so made me think of music outside my normal compositional habits and I beleive I have grown from it.

I personally have difficulty accepting this: I believe that my natural voice is the baroque, but no on seems to care or take that point seriously.

Just curious how you came to this conclusion. Did you start out writing convincing sounding baroque music? Or did you work at it?

Why is it important to define your "musical voice" according to some label anyway? Can't you think of yourself as a musician who appreciates baroque music and is presently emulating it?

Well, I don't know anymore. I seem to be spiraling downwards here :D . Now I have more questions than answers for you.

You say "emulating" - does that make us into hacks?

Isn't "emulation" an implication of inferior work?

How do you find it a good idea to search through different genres to find a "voice" through experimentation by "emulation", if the end result is going to ultimately be a derivative product?

Would my work be considered more seriously or be better recieved if it conformed to "conventions of unconventionalism"?

Is such "artistic progress" always going to lead to a superior product?

- BE

Actually, I found some right here.

Can you paint at all?

I write as it comes to me. I don't refer to others. I know what I like and I do it and it makes me feel good inside. And if that just happens to be baroque, then whats wrong with that.

I feel with this piece, I had to make a conscious effort to "switch modes" ; it's not natural for me.

The baroque even shows in the small drawings I create from time to time (I'll post one soon when I can). It's just the way my mind works.

But I don't understand why everyone is bent against this way of thinking, when it makes so much sense.

- BE

Don't try to understand it. But if you're going to write music to earn a living, do try to do what they say so you can support a family.

In your spare time, continue to write these masterpieces. This will be your real work, the work you will be remembered for when you're long gone.

In my case, there's lots of room for improvement. Abandoning the baroque style is not one of the ways of going about it.

I'm more involved in sketching and drawing with pencil or pen and ink, but I have painted before.

-BE

Just curious how you came to this conclusion. Did you start out writing convincing sounding baroque music? Or did you work at it?

Did Mozart start out writing convincing Classical music? Or did he have to work at it? EVERYBODY has to work at it. Whatever they write.

If you just plop the stuff out from day one, it will just be musical diarrhoea. It may take some a short time, others a long time. But there are things to be learned before one can write convincing music of any sort.

Bach tried to emulate Buxtehude and Vivaldi. Handel tried to emulate Corelli, Scarlatti, and anyone else that caught his fancy. He was a notorious plagiarist. Yet all of these people, with all their copying, eventually "found their own voices" within the scope of Baroque practice.

Really, this whole thing about "finding your own voice" is BS anyway. A person has independently taught himself to write music, is comfortably doing so, likes what he's doing, and does a good job of it too. Then some academic comes along and tells him that he needs to find his own way? Dude, he found his own way and now you're stepping in to tell him how he SHOULD do something he doesn't really want to do? Where's the individuality in THAT?

A show of nonconformity when you're not a nonconformist is a waste of your effort and of other people's time.

...he found his own way and now you're stepping in to tell him how he SHOULD do something he doesn't really want to do? Where's the individuality in THAT?

Exactly! Thank you for articulating it so well, Mark!

- BE

Individuality isn't about being different, it's about being yourself.

You say "emulating" - does that make us into hacks?

I'm not sure where that conclusion came from. But you're writing music that is recognizably baroque, and are therefore emulating composer's musical sensibilities from this period. This doesn't make you a "hack" any more than it makes Mozart a "hack" for emulating Haydn.

Isn't "emulation" an implication of inferior work?

No.

How do you find it a good idea to search through different genres to find a "voice" through experimentation by "emulation", if the end result is going to ultimately be a derivative product?

I've never made it a personal goal to find "my own voice". I take from and learn from what I like just like every other composer does. And I experiment. I also enjoy a challenge.

Most all music is derivative in some way for those who study other composers. I don't see this as a bad thing. Using the fuge as an example again, one might as well say that since one has been written, all others are inferior derivatives. This is nonsense. But they are derivative if it's recognizable as a fuge.

Would my work be considered more seriously or be better recieved if it conformed to "conventions of unconventionalism"?

Perhaps by some. But does this matter? You can't please everyone.

Your work seems to be well recieved here, and I mentioned that I enjoyed it. Everyone has different tastes. Ultimately, you have to do what you feel comfortable with.

I don't personally identify with being a "classisist" or "romantisist" or "baroqueist" - and I enjoy music from all these periods, as well as some rock, metal, blues etc. I guess I just didn't understand your self label. I try to create "art music" and I'll borrow baroque counterpoint, blue notes, syncopated rhythms or whatever else fits my fancy at the time.

Is such "artistic progress" always going to lead to a superior product?

- BE

That depends on who you ask :D . "Superior" is only a valid term if there is a concrete standard (or standards) with which to compare two items.

I'm still "putting the pieces together" in my head of how the world works here. Thanks for your detailed response though, Paul. Your thoughts are appreciated.

- BE

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hehehe i was trying to post a reply but something went wrong and i couldn't. just i would say to you keep up your good job and don't care of anybody trying to put you out of your own way. you make wonderful music and that's all that matters.

Thanks for your thoughts, frantz!