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Joy

Featured Replies

I've been told this piece is light and airy; but doesn't really go anywhere.

Which is fair!

For me it's a joyful piece; but I'm interested to know what emotion it inspires for you?

Edited by Alex Weidmann
Added second movement

It made me laugh for some reason at the beginning, it's certainly joyful though the digital interpretation feels too much brute perhaps. Seems like a prelude to me; there must be a continuation of this. I liked it!

 

  • Author

Many thanks as always for the kind words.

I'll probably try to render it again with a softer piano VST.

Think it could benefit from some rubato, and intermittent sustain pedalling as well.

Might try to write a second movement if I can find some inspiration!

It reminds me of Pilotwings music for the SNES.  The flight student got a really high score on their parachute jump/jetpack/airplane/hang-glider flight test and they have a chance to actually get their license.  I think it could definitely work in such a context with the right orchestration.  Cool piece!

Yes, it sounds a bit percussive, even the melody.

It has some changes that remind me to Ravel.

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Author

Sorry, I only just spotted your reply.

Ravel is one of my favourite composers: so you've made my day!

Definitely a fun piece, are there any plans to expand this one? 

It sounds like the entrance to a comical character in a Final Fantasy game to me. There's lots of room to develop these ideas here!

  • Author

Many thanks for your thoughts. Especially like the comparison with Final Fantasy!

I am thinking about adding a second movement; but am working on something else at the moment.

A Jaunting Ride .... 😃 Lot's of fun ...

Mark

PS: Score?

  • Author

Many thanks for the kind words!

The score needs a lot of tidying. I'd be embarrassed to publish it rn.

Hello there! This is quite a fun little piece! Great job! This simple kinda A B A with an ending works out really well with your melody, and I LOVE the harmony shift at 0:44 (so satisfying and adventurous)!

I really like and appreciate, as a listener, how you build everything up in the A section! You introduce the chords, then the melody at 0:15, then some cool action with the melody at 0:28, all before the harmony shift at 0:44. I loved being able to enjoy each part of it, but then get introduced to new material shortly after! In addition, I also like the unconventional melody you pose here; it’s almost Debussy-esque (or video game-like) in my opinion.

Lastly, the ending at 1:12 is awesome! It’s a dramatic and strong descent to the last chord, and I love it’s contrast to the rest of the piece. Really shows itself as a finale (also, the arpeggios simply sound really cool!). 
 

Great work! I really liked it. I think Omicronrg9 said it well saying it’s reminiscent of a prelude. I would love to hear more of this, but I think it also works well as it is. Awesome job!

  • Author

Many thanks for your analysis.

Am honoured to be compared to Debussy! 😀

  • Author

This week I FINALLY got round to writing a second movement for this piece!

Have attached it to the original post, along with a provisional score.

It's arranged for piano duet (i.e. two pianos). 
(If I wanted to arrange for four hands on one piano, I'd need to resolve all the overlaps.)

I think it fits nicely with the first movement, and hopefully the work feels more complete now?

Need to add some better dynamics to the rendition, and am planning to make an arrangement for piano solo.

(Unlike the first movement, the second movement is actually quite easy to play as a solo piece.)

Edited by Alex Weidmann

Hi Alex,

The second movement is quite cool actually as you use simple chord changes with interesting rhythmic change! For sure dynamic markings can be added. Also I think the movement can be easily arranged to be playes by one piano player only instead of for two pianos. Again it's quite prelude like for me. Thanks for sharing!

Henry

  • Author
11 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

I think the movement can be easily arranged to be playes by one piano player only instead of for two pianos.

Yes for sure. In fact I can already play it as a solo from the current piano duet score.

The first movement is far more challenging as a solo piece, with its constant octave jumps in both hands. 

If you can play that one I'll be very impressed!

I guess I've made a double prelude; though the movements are perhaps more like etudes than preludes, given their challenges for the solo pianist.

I could maybe add my piece "Optimistic" as a middle movement (posted here last year); though I'm not sure it would work.

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