The World Turns

Hi all.

Here's a piece I started developing this week, for a chamber concert in September.

It's for piano, violin and clarinet.

The score is in a very early stage, as it's a brand new work.

Interested to hear what you think about the harmonies, and contrasts within the piece, and whether it suits the instruments?

I hope the melody is original, and not something I've subconsciously copied from somewhere else?

(N.B. Updated versions will be posted below.)

Hey man, cool start you have to this

  On 3/24/2024 at 4:11 PM, Alex Weidmann said:

Interested to hear what you think about the harmonies

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They're very thin, perhaps fleshing out the piano chords would be a good start? Maybe arpeggiating the block chords after a while in the intro section? The crunchy spicy chords at 1:37 or so are really nice, I'd develop that. 

For the contrasting part, I think it's a good move to go there. Again, the sound is thin, and again I'd fill out the piano more. It's just an easy start, and the notes so far don't look very pianistic. Maybe have some bouncy chords play with that piano line?

  On 3/24/2024 at 4:11 PM, Alex Weidmann said:

I hope the melody is original, and not something I've subconsciously copied from somewhere else?

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I think you're fine here

I know you're using a DAW, so we don't have to talk about the score 😛 

I'm gonna move this to the unfinished section, you might get some more help and attention in that sub forum. Thanks for sharing, and keep us posted on updates! Lovely start so far my friend

Many thanks for your suggestions Vince, they're super helpful!

I've made some minor tweaks to the audio file, as the dynamic variations were a bit too extreme in the previous one.

Have made some revisions to this piece now, and have elaborated the piano part into hopefully something more interesting.

Have also made a much improved score.

Hope my enharmonic spellings are correct?

Haven't yet implemented all of the spread chords in the rendition, but will get to that soon.

Not sure anyone's reading this thread; but wanted to provide a new audio file anyway, to match the last pdf. 

That sounds like an exciting project!  Original melodies can be elusive, but I'm sure yours will shine through with your unique voice as a composer. Keep up the great work!

Very melancholically beautiful... a sense of hopelessness yet also acceptance, calm and even hope!

  On 5/15/2024 at 4:17 AM, Aw Ke Shen said:

Very melancholically beautiful... a sense of hopelessness yet also acceptance, calm and even hope!

 

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Yes indeed, the violin part was melancholic, but I find the piano part to be particularly interesting as it balances the melancholy of the violin.

  On 5/15/2024 at 10:10 AM, murphybridget said:

piano part to be particularly interesting as it balances the melancholy of the violin

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I feel the same way as well... a very interesting, interactive balance - yet each part is not overblown on its own or when together

Many thanks to you both for your comments.

I didn't really think about what mood I was trying to set; just let the piece evolve organically.
I'm planning to elaborate the piano part some more, and still need to add all my articulation, expression marks etc...

Need to be careful not to over-egg the pudding though!

The title is open to interpretation. 
It could simply be about the contrast between night and day; or perhaps about the cycle of history, alternating between periods of calm and periods of turmoil (sometimes called the Saeculum). 

  On 5/15/2024 at 1:11 PM, Alex Weidmann said:

Many thanks to you both for your comments.

I didn't really think about what mood I was trying to set; just let the piece evolve organically.
I'm planning to elaborate the piano part some more, and still need to add all my articulation, expression marks etc...

Need to be careful not to over-egg the pudding though!

The title is open to interpretation. 
It could simply be about the contrast between night and day; or perhaps about the cycle of history, alternating between periods of calm and periods of turmoil (sometimes called the Saeculum). 

 

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You're welcome. Sounds like you're making great progress! Adding those finer details will really bring out the nuances in your piece. And you're right about the title, leaving it open to interpretation can add depth to the listener's experience. Keep up the good work!

Hi @Alex Weidmann,

I listen to the latest version. I like the general mood of the piece which is apparent in your style: modal, refreshing and airy.

I think there could be more passages when the clarinet and violin play together as they only combine at the end. Maybe some imitations between them would be great!

On the left hand figuration in b.46 I think it’s too strings-like; maybe using octaves in 16th notes will be better than repeated notes! I like this part’s excitement. The modulation sounds great too, which induces me to think of Mike’s new video on modulations!

Thx for sharing!

Henry

  On 5/18/2024 at 2:32 PM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

The modulation sounds great too, which induces me to think of Mike’s new video on modulations!

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Many thanks for your tips! I'll have to check out that video.

The fast section is a little bitonal in the piano part I think; but hopefully it's not too grating? It was very bitonal in my previous draft (not posted here); but I toned it down a bit.

I did think of adding some trills in the violin, and maybe in the piano. So I could have some imitation there perhaps.

Have you posted your latest composition yet btw?