Gavotte in D minor for String Septet

This is something that started for full orchestra but I wasn’t happy with it. I scaled it back for just 2 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos and bass and I’m much happier with it now.

Edited April 23, 2025Apr 23 by BipolarComposer

This has the right kind of tempo and anacrusis for a Gavotte and I've even heard some Gavottes to be even slower (such as the one in Prokofiev's "Classical" Symphony) so it could theoretically be danced to by actual dancers.  But, at least to me, the character of the piece seems more like incidental music.  Although I guess there's no rule saying that it can't be both dance music and incidental music at the same time.  But also, it just doesn't have a bounce in it's step or vitality I'd expect from dance music, although I would also say the same about many old Baroque dances composed by Bach, since the instrumental dances he wrote were by then only formally related to the dance music on which said pieces were based.  But whenever I personally compose dance music I aim to make it more dance-like than some of those old examples (especially old Baroque keyboard pieces based on dances).  It is however, quite an enjoyable and sprightly but melancholic piece which is an affecting mismatch.  Thanks for sharing!

Hi @BipolarComposer,

Actually I agree with @PeterthePapercomPoser. The music itself is quite enjoyable but it doesn't remind of dance music. The underlying rhythm reminds me of Stravinsky's Symphony of the Psalms, first movement particular around rehearsal no.11, but his treatment is more moving forward with the dynamics and harmonic changes. The harmonic language here is more modal with less dissonance, thus the driving power is diminished without the tonic pull or the dissonant chords for me. Also I think some sort of anapestic rhythm can be added to the dance! The dynamic contrast can be more varied I think.

Thanks for sharing!

Henry

It really reminds me of some movies, so I agree their saying that this also sounds like an incidental music. For me you have built up an approach mood, but I'm lost while listening, as it's not having a really obvious direction aka lack of tendency.

But if we are only talking about the dance element and the mood, then yes you have successfully built them up effectively and professionally.

Work hard 💪!