Stargazing (for Cello and Fixed Media)

Hi everyone! It's been a little while since I've posted, but I've been working like crazy. One of my projects has been working with a cellist to compose a 6-8 minute solo. 

This piece was inspired by an evening I spent in Northern Michigan watching the stars above the Mackinaw straits. The whole piece is based on using the G harmonic series as a chord which has this ethereal spacy sound that perfectly matches watching the night sky in my opinion. The background features different triads built from that series coming in and out of focus while the cello soars above it. This chord finally resolves at the end when everything sort of "comes into focus".

This piece is being premiered in about a month. I'll post a video.

I really like the ambient sound choice, and also the non-tempo feeling at the beginning, it feels like you get lost in seeing a starry sky. However later is cleary present a sense of inquietude, it seems like you want to talk about the unpleasent feeling of being exposed in a cold night, alone. I really liked the cellos staccato of the same note, it gives the right amount of energy. Maybe th part at 5:50 is too spearated from the rest, but it is still very beautiful.

I live in Michigan and have watched a meteor shower while at Mackinac and I think you did a very fine job capturing that beauty.

15 hours ago, ComposaBoi said:

I live in Michigan and have watched a meteor shower while at Mackinac and I think you did a very fine job capturing that beauty.

 

Thanks so much! Mackinac is gorgeous.

I updated the backing track a little to add more interest based on feedback from a good friend.

I was extremely fortunate to have this piece read by Grammy winning cellist Nick Photinos. Here's the video!

https://youtu.be/oB5C9wfpvxw

What an amazing performance!

You must be very proud of this one, sure your midi samples give us an idea of what you were going for, but nothing compares to the brilliant performance of the cellist. I love the simple yet elegant construction of this piece, you do a wonderful job of taking a maj7th theme and weaving it in and out of the cello's wide register to craft something beautiful. This piece is a testament to what we're all striving for: bringing our music to life. 

Well done, and congrats on a spectacular performance of your music (dude dropping the sheet music at the end aside lol)!

As Thatguy said, the performance is absolutely exceptional! This is real, effective, contemporary music and I applaud you for it. It's of course not easy to write for prerecorded tape, especially with a live instrument as well in a live performance setting, but the cello and the electronics work well together.

If I had to pick a bit that I don't like as much, it would be the first pizzicato (crotchet = 72) section. To me, it feels a more square and defined than the rest of the piece, and on the verge of being out of place... if you were planning to revise it, I wonder if increasing the tempo a little bit more would make all the difference here.

FWIW, can I ask if you've had 'formal' composition training? If so, where and with who? Your pieces that you've posted on the site are so ecletic, and I think that takes real skill.

Congratulations on a fantastic piece, and of course a big well done for getting a live performance! Look forward to hearing more from you.

I've never had any real formal training to this point. I did take a couple private lessons with Eric Whitacre and I've signed up for just about every master class I could find that was within a couple hours drive. I am however finally doing a little formal training with Bill Ryan and the composition studio at Grand Valley State University. I'm going back to school after more than a decade's hiatus.

Ah, fantastic. It'll be interesting to see how your style develops as you have more regular contact with pros!