Romance in B Major

This is one of my first major "slower" piano compositions. I throw in 3 themes in this piece, but two main themes are prominent. Usually I am very adventurous when it comes to key changing, but in this piece, I try to remain within the root key most of the time. I wanted to keep it simple yet effective. In this piece I try to shift moods from romantic to dreamy, which is when the key shifts and the theme changes at 4:30.

This is a free form work composed in 4/4 and 6/4 time.

Romance in B Major

My partner and I just listened to this together, and we both agree it's one of the prettiest things we've heard in a long time. I'm having a little trouble holding back tears. This is such a wonderfully free and romantic expression.

I have very little in the way of criticism to give. Every now and then when I thought the tonality might be getting a little too static, you changed it just in time. Eventually, I just gave up my expectations and preconceived notions and just let the piece wash over me, and everything was lovely. The melodies (especially the first one) are beautiful. The roulades and melismas definitely show your pronounced Chopin influence, and yet this is a personal and unique expression, even modern at times.

I've been impressed by your work before, but this one hit me in a special place. Thanks for sharing it with us.

By the way: any chance of getting a copy of it in print? I'll be getting a piano soon, and I might like to try to learn this piece. Thanks for considering it.

I've got to say I wasn't as impressed as J. Lee was.

I was kind of annoyed by the static harmony.

Every time there were these extremely passing, fleeting quazi-Rachmaninov-ian moments and they lasted barely the time of passing 2 chords, then the dull return to the basic tonality of the piece. It actually got frustrating. It's not that I don't think it's "pretty". It is, but somehow, it's not enough.

The melismas seemed sort of tacked on at times, particularly in the opening section. they were considerably more chromatic than the surrounding music and clashed. Ideally they should prepare us for at least SOME harmonic intricacies. As it is they just tease and drop us.

I'd have liked a bit more use of suspensions and dissonant notes. It seems that this particular piece borders just on the edge of being "pop" piano. Particularly some of the simple left hand movement.

How long is it, btw, does it fit the criteria for MW?

J. Lee, thanks for your comments, I am glad you enjoyed it. I will try to get this written up in lilypond. I plan to write a program in Visual Basic that helps with the aid of lilypond notation, so I can churn out my pieces much quicker.

I was kind of annoyed by the static harmony.

I agree it is very static, and this is probably my most static piece to this date. The main reason I did this was because this piece is intended for easy listening and playing, but I tried to be as creative as I could while remaining static. I also planned for this to be a short scaled work, but I got a little carried away.

Michael, one of your bests, and definitely my favorite. I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but I agree with the pre-stated comments about the harmony maybe getting a bit too monotonous at times. The Romanticism is there. The soaring melodies are there. The chromaticism that you use so beautifully is also here -- now I'm not a crier when it comes to music, but as J. Lee said, if I was, this would definitely be the piece to do so!

Great work.

Chpin,

I found this piece very soothing, and must confess I was disappointed when it came to a close. I didn't want it to stop!

Now, I think Qccowboy is right that there is a lot of static harmony in this work. You spice it up throughout, but the spice does not last nearly as long as it could. Not to say that I felt this was bad. I think it was absolutely lovely! You have a very romantic voice with the piano and can tease out feelings that I only wish I knew how to do. If you could but lend me a few of your chords!!!

I confess I did become rather lost in the middle of the work and my mind wandered to other matters. That said, I still greatly enjoyed this, and would also love to see the score sometime if it is not too much trouble.

I'd say more, but there really isn't much to say. This piece is mood music, and at that it is very effective.

Definitely one of the best pieces I have heard on this forum. I would also agree that I like it the best out of all the works I have heard of yours so far.

Could you post the score in PDF? It would be great to follow the score as I listen.

For awhile after 1:17 I lost any definite purpose, but that's OK, as it just seemed to float romantically causing one to become lost in the romantic moment. :toothygrin: Then at 6:56 you put in a nice climax that wakes you back up from this romantic slumber with bliss. And I love how you re-capped the theme you stated from 0:32 - 1:17 there too.

Your tone shade was very grey to me, but that was nice.

It seems that this particular piece borders just on the edge of being "pop" piano.

I would agree, but I consider that to be a good thing. I love classical/pop mixes when it comes to piano works. Plus, it seems classical is evolving along those lines.

From 0:32 - 1:17 and 6:56 on sounded the most pop to me and I liked those parts the most.

Chris, what are you talking about man... this is a good piece. Imagine you and your girl and you telling her sweet things; this would be great in the background. My friend, this is actually a top piece. Well done.

Wonderful as usual, Michael. Definitely has that romantic-Chopin feel, you are a true romantic! I always love your harmonies and rhythms, it is so beautiful. The runs are very well placed and make a great addition to this piece also. Only thing I can say criticism wise...a little repetitive for the first three quarters, to the point sometimes that I was thinkng "is it going to change!". Don't get me wrong, the theme is great, just a little overused in my opinion. I love the end (the last quarter), it seems like it is built up from the rest of the piece...I can't really word it properly, but it is almost like a summary (which I suppose is the point of an ending :) ). The dynamic contrast is great too. Awesome piece! :) It is truly amazing that you are not famous! :)

I don't like it.

I find your style in general to be pretty bland to be totally honest.

I think you should try something different, because you obviously have talent.

You know what? I absolutely have to agree with Chris. I found this piece rather bland, as with quite a few of your pieces on here. Nearly all of your music sounds like Chopin, it's all been done before. And I'm trying to put this as bluntly and plainly as possible. You have talent that much is sure, but I think you would do well if you were to explore some other ideas and sounds

Hey Chopin! I enjoyed this. It's not the type of music I normally listen to, but I was drawn in by the simplicity and expressiveness of the music. A welcome change from my normal musical fare. Tender and sad - this is what I hear expressed in your music. A tad lengthy for the mood, though.

This is an incredible romantic gestation. The harmony was static at times, but the static nature of the harmony gave more emphasis to the sonorous and seductive melody. It has a very nice flow to it and it had great direction. Really an aural pleasure for the listener, much like Chopin.

I thought it was ok for background mood music. I don't like background mood music. But you did that well.

-I have to get this off my chest after reading the comments. All these comparisons to Chopin, and saying it has a similar effect is an injustice to Chopin and then saying "it's been done before" as if this is Chopin worthy. I didn't sense him in the music at all other than moments of cliche caracature. If that's all that was meant, sorry for over reacting.

I hope this doesn't offend you. I think you did a great job accomplishing what you set out to do with it. As others have said, you do have great talent and an ear for this sound- for flowers smothered in flowers (opposed to Chopin's "guns smothered in flowers")

ok, writing as i listen...

It opens really nicely, i like the broken spread chords (if thats the right term) this is really nice, I like the bit around 3:00 minutes nice little theme. I love how fluid this piece is too, it really would suit background music for a film or something like that. After about 4 mins, i too felt like i needed some kind of direction, its not bad at all, the right hand keeps the interest, although the standard rhythm in the left hand feels repetitive, BUT dont change it too much or you'll loose its nice fuidity.

Could you give us some kind of background on yourself, how long have you been playing piano? how did you record this, is it you playing live? the piano has a lovely mellow sound. Im currently working on a piano & cello sonata and am going for the same simple mellow piano lines and harmony.

overall its great and I like how it starts to get busy at about 7:50

lovely :)

... p.s. i must start listening to some Chopin, can you recommend anything similar to this?

Hmm. For some reason, I found this reminiscent of Chopin's first ballade... ?

Michael, I do believe that this is the most beautiful and emotional peice that you've written. Very lovely. But it does tend to get a tad bit tedious. Otherwise very enjoyable. Might you provide a score?

I listened to this piece a while ago, and I've returned to it now with a fresh mind. I don't think it sounds much like Chopin to be honest (except for the smile-provoking pastiche melismas), but that shouldn't be considered a bad thing. I like your style.

To me, this sounds very much like the introduction to a song that never begins, or otherwise a very heartfelt lament that desperately requires words! Maybe it's the nature of the piece, but the whole thing left me longing for something more to cling to. . . a friendly recognizable melody perhaps? A cadence that clearly ended one section and began another? I'm not suggesting you go and add these. . . but the romance did make me feel terribly upset for a reason that extends beyond wanting to change the odd note.

I think it was beautiful, but slightly too wishy-washy for my liking, reminiscent of a fantastic improvisation. I suppose it's because I'm very much a 'toddler' when it comes to composition. I still rely on repeating phrases lots and clearly establishing what's 'going on.' I probably would have enjoyed the piece more if it'd been more obvious, and slightly shorter.

You have however my deepest respect, because if I forget all these silly rules and preconceptions, and just listen. . . it's beautiful. It sounds effortlessly written (and that's a good thing!).

For the first few minutes I did find it quite beautiful (and I don't noramally say this on the site), if a little "poppy".

My two main criticisms are, however, (1) by the two minute mark I was saying to myself: okay, something new has to happen, it's just the same thing over and over again. It's not just the harmomic structure, it's the feel. It never changes and I feared that I would get bored if it lasted for another 7 minutes. It does. You vary it a bit around the 4.5 minute mark and I regained some interest. But the piece has to develop. It has to have a clear direction. That's why, in many respects, it's harder to write a formless piece: how do you maintain interest without the tried-and-true methods that have worked in the past? You really have to know what you're doing and pieces can't last too long. I think this piece suffered a bit from that.

I appreciate that you use some ornaments The ornaments are interesting and they certainly make listening easier and more interesting. But they don't completely relieve the constant harmony.

At around 7:10, it became better. Again, I regained my interest.

Still, while the piece had a lovely feel, I can only imagine really hearing it while eating at a restaurant, shopping in a mall or at the end of a movie during the credits.

For next time, try developing the themes (ornaments don't count) and not everything has to be super long! Also, use contrast!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts about this piece. When I was writing this piece, please keep in mind I was writing this for someone who does not have an ear for this sort of music, so it was meant for easy listening. I tried to make this as deep as I could while keeping the structure and harmonization as simplistic and static as possible, otherwise, the person I wrote this for would have just been confused and lost. Unfortunately, I decided not to share this piece to the person I composed this for.

As for the score, I will try to get scores of all my pieces eventually. Just so you all know, the current composition I am working on is way more complex in harmony and nowhere near as static as this piece. But I am composing my current piece for advanced listening, so you will hear a major difference.

I'm excited to hear what you're working on next.

And as I said before, I think you accomplished what you set out to do with this one. Why did you decide against sharing it with the person you wrote it for?

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's irritating...not with these harmonies...you have to be mad to get irritated at these harmonious sounds. The problem i'm hearing is not the static-ness, but the lack of stylistic direction. It's the most effective piece as far as static-ness, but when i listen to it there are moments when i think wow this is starting to go somewhere, but then you use these overly obvious chopin-istic movements...it dies away all the time...it begins so beautifully, but then turns into pop-piano...i'm not saying you should over complicate it. Nope, but you need to put your self in it...

Michael, I heard your music, and I have to say that it didn't keep me interested the whole time. sorry.

As others have said, the static harmony, which is not static for me, but seems to lack the guts to go anywhere, is there all the time. All promises break down. Additionally there are no dynamics. It is romance, but romantic music means strong feelings, if nothing else, not only slurpy romantic stuff, as most people mean them. Chopin has some ferocious music! It starts beautfiul but you never get away from B major really, which is a pity.

I understand about the possible technical difficulties of the person you wrote it for (though I don't understand why you didn't give it to him/her in the end), but still changing harmonies and modulations are not something that could create technical difficulties...

either way do post the score as well, cause any performer will need a score and not the mp3.

I was going through my misc. mp3's and found this one. I downloaded it a few years ago. Such a beautiful piece. :wub:

Do you have the sheet music in pdf?

Thanks for the kind words, but this is one of my weakest pieces. Thus, I never bothered to notate it. I do have the midi though.

Thanks for the kind words, but this is one of my weakest pieces. Thus, I never bothered to notate it. I do have the midi though.

Chopin may have thought his Prelude in E-Minor (op.28 no. 4) was weak because of its simplicity, but in music it seems some of the *weakest* pieces are the most beautiful. Simplicity is a virtue in music, many times.

I hope you'll take the time to notate it one day.

Very enjoyable mate.

I particularly likes the overlapping and intertwining of the left and right hands.

Lovely - look forward to you other works. :thumbsup: