Seni-G Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 I've posted the computerized version of this one previously, but here is a recording by a real life human pianist (Edward Cohen). This is music about healing. Healing is not pleasant when it’s actually happening. Sure it feels great once it’s done, but the process itself is slow. It requires intense patience, and often comes with pain. So this music isn’t about being healed already, but about healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Hernández Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 Big work. I like its own language and form. Supported in rhythmic motives more than melodic, to my taste. I think there is a good work in modern counteropoint. In some way, differences aside, it reminds me to Ives... Good for the pianist! Demanding piece.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterthePapercomPoser Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 I noticed that the pianist very often does not perform the fermatas (I learned that when holding a fermata the duration of the notes under the fermata is multiplied by 1.5 but here the pianist just seems to count through the beats as if there was no fermata which I would do too if I was trying to play this as there doesn't seem to be a logical reason for your big rests and pauses between sections of activity). I think you already know what I think about these long pauses so I won't repeat myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Left Unexplained Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 (edited) just curious, what is a sunset bird? Edited December 5, 2020 by Left Unexplained Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seni-G Posted December 6, 2020 Author Share Posted December 6, 2020 On 12/4/2020 at 9:06 AM, Luis Hernández said: Big work. I like its own language and form. Supported in rhythmic motives more than melodic, to my taste. I think there is a good work in modern counteropoint. In some way, differences aside, it reminds me to Ives... Good for the pianist! Demanding piece.... Thank you for your feedback. The comparison to Ives really makes my day. I love the tone colors he uses, especially when he isn't fully embracing atonality. On 12/4/2020 at 8:36 PM, PaperComposer said: I noticed that the pianist very often does not perform the fermatas (I learned that when holding a fermata the duration of the notes under the fermata is multiplied by 1.5 but here the pianist just seems to count through the beats as if there was no fermata which I would do too if I was trying to play this as there doesn't seem to be a logical reason for your big rests and pauses between sections of activity). I think you already know what I think about these long pauses so I won't repeat myself. I really appreciate your feedback. This piece is definitely decadent and self-indulgent. It goes on and on and takes very long breaths. At the time when I was writing it, that all fit in with my concept of healing, how that's a long process with many false endings. At the time it made sense to write music that reflected the arduous nature of rebuilding something that had been destroyed, of searching for something that isn't there (looking for a summer bird in the dead of winter). However now that the piece is complete, and I've had many months to reflect on it (and lose some of my emotional attachment to the music), I don't know how successful it is as a piece of art. I may have leaned too heavily on the concept and created something that drags out in a boring or confusing fashion. I'm still working on that balance between concept and enjoyability for the listener. At least I can now check off the list "write the longest piano song on earth" and go write something shorter. 23 hours ago, Left Unexplained said: just curious, what is a sunset bird? This music is based on a poem by Robert Frost: Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter The west was getting out of gold, The breath of air had died of cold, When shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight. In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face; A bird with an angelic gift Was singing in it sweet and swift. No bird was singing in it now. A single leaf was on a bough, And that was all there was to see In going twice around the tree. From my advantage on a hill I judged that such a crystal chill Was only adding frost to snow As gilt to gold that wouldn't show. A brush had left a crooked stroke Of what was either cloud or smoke From north to south across the blue; A piercing little star was through. When I first wrote this music, I intended to set those lyrics to song. Therefore all the main melodies in the piece are song-like. Eventually I dropped the words, exploded the music, and let it wander and quest for 20 minutes. The poem (and the song) are about searching for something that used to be there, but isn't there any more. The metaphor is the "bird with an angelic gift" that sings so beautifully in the summer, but when you return to that same place in the dead of winter the bird is nowhere to be found. Searching for that bird in winter is what this entire song is about. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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