Quintet for Winds (complete)

I have completed the first and second movement of my wind quintet and I am in the process of completing a rondo as a third and final movement to this work. I will probably use the second movement for a competition local to my home, the Isle of Man. There are usually only two others who compete in the composition class - the same two every year! - and we couldn't offer more different specialisms.

I will be eternally grateful if an experienced contrapuntalist offered some of their wisdom should I need it. Obviously I am adhering to the classical tradition.

I have spared you this time from repeating sections. I do not intend to add any repeat bars for the competition.

EDIT (9/1/2020): I have now finished this work. I had to rework some parts of the first movement due to a couple of parallels. I also added some more material to the flute part in the second movement development as I felt it was somewhat absent during a particular passage. The third movement, which is a rondo form, closely follows the structure of JC Bach's rondo in his Sinfonia Concertante in C Major, C42, for which I have started a post in the music appreciation part of this forum for those interested. Covid has unfortunately led to my local community to lock down recently, so I will be able to focus some more of my time towards music pursuits! 

Thanks for listening.

Markus

Edited January 10, 20215 yr by Markus Boyd
Uploaded finished files

Hi, great piece!

Listening tho whole work I have the sensation of "complete" harmony. The five instruments are well engaged. On the other hand, there are moments when some instrument is silent (which I think it's good!).

In the first part I like the bassoon a lot.

Your counterpoint is rich, for me. the lines are "crazy", independent, and going in different directions. For example, page 2 of Mov I is a "beauty" in this sense.

52 minutes ago, Luis Hernández said:

Hi, great piece!

Listening tho whole work I have the sensation of "complete" harmony. The five instruments are well engaged. On the other hand, there are moments when some instrument is silent (which I think it's good!).

In the first part I like the bassoon a lot.

Your counterpoint is rich, for me. the lines are "crazy", independent, and going in different directions. For example, page 2 of Mov I is a "beauty" in this sense.

 

 

Thanks Luis. I spent a lot of time ensuring the harmony works however I did print off the score yesterday to further scrutinize (which I find a helpful exercise) and I did see a number of unintended parallels. But there are few, as far as I am aware.

Come to think of it, I could make more use of the flute in the second movement, particularity in the development section. It is noticeably absent in a number of the passages. Thank you for your comments.

Absolute beauty regarding melody and voice leading, especially in the slow movement! Thank you, Markus!

Gerd

I am in the midst of finalizing the Rondo movement and I am a little stuck. I am chiefly concerned about over use of sequential patters and I would like to hear whether you agree, particularly towards the end of the C section. I am working out how to modulate to G minor, which will lead back to the key of C.

The other issue problem that I am concerned about is that the rondo theme starts with an up beat, while the B and C sections do not. I would very much like to hear your thoughts this and the above as I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the details.

Thanks

I think this is great!  From what I can see in the score you only ever sequence certain figures twice at the most before moving on so I don't really think that's excessive (in the C section in C minor).  As for starting the different sections at different points in the bar - that's a good thing!  That brings some variety to your melodic phrases.  If you really think that melodies should always start squarely at the very beginning of any given measure you're more of a mathematician rather than a living, breathing composer (maybe that was your perfectionism talking although I don't think having a melody start at the beginning of the measure makes it any more perfect either).  Great job and I'm looking forward to the completed version!

I have finished this now. See files at the top.

Just composed this minuet, with an interesting trio section. Just felt a bit unusual this evening. I will add this to the work I think, to make 4 movements in total.