De Profundis

Hello!

This is my first post here and my first larger piece. Consisting of 18 quite short parts (everything is written in the score) cantata - "De profundis" (Ps130) is for SATB choir, SATB solo, 2 violins, 2 violas, cello, flute, oboe, bassoon, 2 trumpets, trombone and basso continuo. Unfortunately, this is the best I can do with the "recording" (there is no text and BC is just bass line on harpsichord) with musescore. I know my contrapunctal writing needs a lot of practice and study to improve, so please excuse any awkward moments in the music—to my ears, it sounds reasonably decent overall!

Since it is my first "publicated" score, I would really appretiate any kinds of tips/feedback about music, score and sound :)

Thanks in advance

EDITED 17.10.2026: Updated audio (continuo as chords, added cello doubling bass line) and score (some typos)

De Profundis_score.pdf

Edited yesterday at 02:44 PM1 day by Josquins turban
Update audio (continuo as chords, added cello doubling bass line) and score (typos)

Welcome! On the continuo playback point you mentioned, a practical workaround is to make a separate playback copy of the score and write out a simple right-hand realization for the harpsichord there. Keep your intended bass line, and start with just one short section or cadence before doing all 18 parts. That lets you hear the harmonic support without having to make a fully realized keyboard part compulsory in the performers’ score.

For checking the counterpoint, try playing the bass with just one vocal line at a time, then add the other voices. In MuseScore Studio’s Mixer (F10), you can Solo more than one instrument together. Temporarily reducing reverb can also make entries and note endings easier to check; restore it afterwards for the listening version. The controls are documented here: https://handbook.musescore.org/sound-and-playback/mixer

These are suggestions for the mock-up you described, rather than a verdict on the composition. A short excerpt with the continuo realized would make it easier for readers to discuss the harmony you actually intend.

Thank you, I'll update playback file when I make the continuo.

Another point about the score, I'm not sure what has happened with some of your clefs. I also use Musescore, and there are indeed work arounds for lots of things! A great first effort at a longer work!

I used older ones just for fun/to learn to write in various keys. I can always change them, I forgot about it to be honest 😅

On 10/16/2026 at 7:54 AM, PitchTempoAndriy said:

On the continuo playback point you mentioned, a practical workaround is to make a separate playback copy of the score and write out a simple right-hand realization for the harpsichord there. Keep your intended bass line, and start with just one short section or cadence before doing all 18 parts.

I've updated playback now. Continuo is probably not very correct in meaning of voice leading, but it would take triple this time to do it...

Also the score had some minor typos in choir words, so it's also corrected. I don't know if I should change keys for choir, so I let them stay like this for now. Waiting for further things to improve here or in next works.

Edited yesterday at 02:50 PM1 day by Josquins turban

Thanks for posting the update. For the voice-leading question, you could choose one short cadence and post those bars with the vocal parts, bass and your continuo realization visible. That gives readers a manageable example to discuss, and you can apply the idea elsewhere rather than revising all 18 sections at once. If your choir-notation question is about the older clefs, label that separately so readers know you are asking about readability rather than transposition.

Again, this time score with "normal" clefs :)

De Profundis_normal_clefs.pdf