Sonata-Allegro, Movement I; written in historic Classical-Era style

How's it happening, YoungComposers community,

Would you all like to casually take note of all the potential historic inaccuracies of this suite's movement? 😁 (I have two.)

edit - Just to clarify, my inquiry above was tongue-in-cheek; it's not ALL I was looking for in this piece's discussion. You can make any kinds of comments, suggestions, constructive criticism and any such responses as you feel you like to contribute.

3-movement Alto Piano Trio Suite in G - Jubilant Hall for the Dance of the Giants - Movement I - Evening's Entrance (Sonata-Allegro).pdf

Edited yesterday at 01:03 AM1 day by ARCMusicPublishings

You managed to get my attention with that other thread, so i thought i’d spend some time looking at your work.

First impressions: Sounds late viennese at times Schubertian.

From its title, it is programmatic? You are depicting a specific scene to music, something to do with giants dancing? What kind of dance is this?

Second, you mention this is in the “classical style”; my question with respect to this is whether you’re aiming for an authentic classical style or more fluid (neo-classical). I feel this is an important question relevant to the feedback you may be seeking.

As for the music itself, you’ve done well to develop your ideas. On first glance I didn’t detect any stand-out issues with the voice leading.

I did also feel the Viola-bass pairing not only unusual but ineffective. I understand that pairing is very rare in the repertoire, probably because composers preferred treble/bass pairing to access a wider range in pitch. It may well be due to the MIDI quality, although it was at time difficult to hear the distinctive voice of either the bass or viola when together.

Finally, you could look to spice the piano part up a little more. It is largely effective as it is, but you could expand its expressive capacity as a third voice in the dialogue. But if you wish it to be primarily supportive that is fine.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Markus Boyd

Lots of points to address here!

14 hours ago, Markus Boyd said:

First impressions: Sounds late viennese at times Schubertian. From its title, it is programmatic? You are depicting a specific scene to music, something to do with giants dancing? What kind of dance is this?
Second, you mention this is in the “classical style”; my question with respect to this is whether you’re aiming for an authentic classical style or more fluid (neo-classical). I feel this is an important question relevant to the feedback you may be seeking.

I was going for upper Classical era (1775-1799), but I can see a bit of Schubert era in it; perhaps not in the modulations I used but in the texture and techniques.
(Modulation: I strictly stayed away from modulation by Chromatic mediant and heavier use of the chromatic scale. That would have occurred decades later. I did, however, stick to borrowed Major-minor and common dim. sevenths; both of which were highly characteristic of Piano Sonatas of the era!).

As far as whether my music is absolute or programmatic: one may say it's in a grey area between. I do hope to paint a loose narrative at best. The rest is simply left to be enjoyed for the music it is.

14 hours ago, Markus Boyd said:

As for the music itself, you’ve done well to develop your ideas. On first glance I didn’t detect any stand-out issues with the voice leading.

Thank you. And, cheers!

14 hours ago, Markus Boyd said:

I did also feel the Viola-bass pairing not only unusual but ineffective.

The MIDI was indeed a little distorted. So, hopefully, that does clear up a lot of any questioning areas that you may have found. Otherwise, I suppose it would behoove me to ask specificallywhere you particularly saw issues with this ensemble's effectiveness. If limited range (and the DB playing too fast of passages in its 'Altissimo' range, where it wouldn't speak out like the Cello?) are it, I am completely aware of these issues; and have made revisions to an earlier addition that hopefully address them decently.

That aside: It was very much my knowing someone would say this that actually drove me to be a passionate Viola composer; and to develop the Alto Piano Trio ensemble to begin with. 😁

The Viola is, from my understanding, still an under-represented and continually under-appreciated instrument; in the orchestra and in general use. (Though, thanks to the classical movement that I am a part of to promote it, representation has improved since the Classical.) The Double-Bass is not too far from that same boat. And thus, my hope to see ever-changes to that gave birth to this ensemble. (As one Violinist, who actually supports my vision and mission, had light-heartedly told me: "You don't need to write anything more for us. We have enough Piano Trios, Violin/Cello Concertos, Violin/Cello orchestral solos, Violin/Cello Sonatas, Violin/Cello string duos, String Quartets featuring Cello/Violin I, etc. to last [Violinists/Cellists] a lifetime".)

The MIDI was indeed a little distorted. So, hopefully, that does clear up a lot of any questioning areas that you may have found. Otherwise, I suppose it would behoove me to ask specificallywhere you particularly saw issues with this ensemble's effectiveness.

My point in mentioning all this sidenote? The Alto Piano Trio is my personal treasure, so the ensemble is not changing.

Edited 1 minute ago1 min by ARCMusicPublishings