Nocturne Op. 9

This is a nocturne inspired by the death of my grandfather, whom I was very close with. I wrote this when I was 15. Youtube with score

Nocturne_Op9_20230706_202850.mid

This is a very mature and affecting nocturne for a 15 year old to have written!  Great job - I'm impressed!  It conveys the sweet memories you must have shared with your late grandfather as well as revealing a very deep mourning for your grandfather symbolized by those G minor major 7th chords.  You have my sympathies and thanks for sharing.

I really enjoyed listening to this piece - your piece is very pianistic, something that after listening to this piece and a few others on your YT channel, makes sense - it's very in line with your style. 

One critique I'll give you is that the notation program you're using is holding you down. Your piece would sound a lot stronger if the playback was a lot smoother (it is incredibly strong as is, the strength comes across despite the playback). Maybe try having a recording of you playing the piece, with the score on the screen? Overall, this is a very strong piece and I encourage you to keep writing, and playing - as a pianist-composer, I can say the more piano/keyboard proficiency you have, the better. 

Hi @Ben Callender,

As Peter mentioned I love the opening chord, as well as those dissonant chords! The 0:45 section shows some warmth which should be the great moments you share with your grandfather. The modulation from G major to B minor to G minor is lovely. I also love the section with the triplets, but I have maybe you can tone down the virtuosic passages a bit! Thx for sharing!

Henry

Lovely piece! I also like the dissonant chords too, and on top of those, the diminished chords as well.

On the notation end, I can also suggest ( if possible ) to use octave lines/ change of clefs for some parts for score readability.

Edited December 28, 20232 yr by Aw Ke Shen

This piece reminds me of early Scriabin and late chopin

 I really like the contrast between the tender and sorrowful sections with the more dramatic parts and the contemplative pauses with the sudden fits of rage all in the same piece

I agree with @GospelPiano12 when he said that your music notation software is holding you down, I think other music notation software will help  you a lot.

I think this is just my personal taste, but I think that the last textural transition is too sudden