April 9, 20223 yr This is my entry into the music composing competition in Sacile, Italy, that needs to be submitted by the end of this month, April. I would be very grateful for any comments regarding technical issues that would annoy conductors, confuse judges or distress players. The orchestra is made of very competent amateurs who have come together for a weekend conference, so the judges have asked composers not to unnecessarily stretch players. Any comments and criticisms gratefully received. Morgan. Edited April 9, 20223 yr by Morgan Allan.
April 11, 20223 yr Well, I don't know what the specific guidelines are for this competition, but if I were a judge I would be puzzled by the fine print over bar 1 that says that players are free to embellish or improvise. You really want each individual violinist, violist, cellist, etc. to be making up their own part, at any moment? As a judge I would be wondering what kind of texture would result, whether that's what you intended, and whether you really considered it as an issue. And asking "competent amateurs" who may be accustomed to playing what is on the page to improvise may indeed be unnecessarily stretching them.
April 12, 20223 yr Author Yes, they are free to improvise, but mostly as a predetermined and unified line for each instrument, rather than multiple variations per line of instrument. The piece was conceived with that flexibility in mind. But perhaps, "the freedom to alter or adjust or embellish" would be more accurate, because saying "improvise" has connotations of just making it up as you went along, which is not what I intended. This idea of "directed-improvisation" was very common in the Baroque era, with performers who would take the part that was written for them and then personalise it with their own style and virtuosity. But it also means the players are free to simplify their parts if they feel the need. Either way, an exact reproduction of every I wrote is unnecessary for the performance to be a success. In fact, my hope is that if the musicians feel the freedom to adjust the music to their preference and put their own creative input into the music, then maybe it will be a far better performance. Or do musicians prefer to play it exactly as they're told? Morgan.
April 12, 20223 yr Author I forgot to thank you Tom Statler. Your comment was exactly what I needed to clarify what I wanted and what I didn't want. Morgan.
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