Minimalist Suite

Hi, I'm new here, so I'm not sure if this is the correct forum / method of posting etc., but I'll have a go anyway.

This is a suite in the minimalist style scored for keyboard instruments: piano, celesta, harpsichord, organ (manuals and pedals). Since this is minimalism, it might be better to go in "experimental" music etc., but it's for a chamber ensemble so I thought it would be ok here.

I - Prelude

This was the first piece I ever wrote. Beware - it's very repetitive, but I was hoping that this was the right idea when it comes to minimalism.

II - Berceuse

This is from the French meaning "flowing", not necessarily a lullaby.

III - Intermezzo

A slightly tongue-in-cheek "bridge" movement, with some unexpected twists.

IV - Fantasia

A sort of finale movement in binary form.

I was planning on another movement involving the following chord progression (all I; on the piano, the first is in RH and the second in LH):

1. C min + G min

2. C min + F min

3. B flat maj + F min

4. B flat maj + E flat maj

5. C min + E flat maj

6. C min + F min

7. C min + G min

Prelude.mid

Berceuse.mid

Intermezzo.mid

Fantasia.mid

(This post used to have another piece, but I thought it deserved a separate thread.)

I take it, since no one has replied, that most people here don't like minimalism...

Here are sibelius versions. Movements I and II have been shortened.

Ia.sib

IIa.sib

IV.sib

V.sib

I have just stumbled across this thread whilst looking for some ideas for a minimalist piece i have to write for a secondary school. and i think its such a shame that no one has commented! So i know this was posted a long while ago, but i wanted to comment!

You are right that it seems many people on this forum have some dislike for minimalism, if any of the other posts are anything to go by!

I think this piece is great! It is one of the few minimalist pieces on this forum, that i have seen, that has really tried hard to employ key minimalist techniques, with the static tonal centre, repeated, slightly varied rhythms etc etc. It sounds very Steve Reich actually. I hope you don't mind, but i'll be using your sib files as a starting point for my own composition, so thanks for the inspiration!

My favorite section of your piece is Fantasia, you have managed to add a Baroque like sound into a minimalist piece, which is great, especially as i love baroque music!

I really must get started on my own composition, however if you are still on this forum, i'd love to discuss what techniques you used etc.

Good Stuff!