The Chamber

Here is my final composition piece for my BMus degree. Scored for 2 pianos, percussion and double string quintet. It is a surround sound piece involving the audience being immersed in the music. Two banks of string quintet run down the sides, the pianos in front of the audience, the percussion behind and a quad sound system set up playing a precomposed soundscape. The whole piece is about atmosphere and to that extent, the recording really does not do the work justice, it is very much something that has to be heard live to be appreciated. The recording is missing the pianos and basses quite a bit sadly so it only gives a glimpse of what I was trying to achieve.

Hopefully it will give you an idea of the sound world. There are some errors and a few places where people get out of place, the nature of live performance I'm afraid but I am very proud of this work.

It took around 7 months to write and is 22 minutes long so have patience!

Hope you enjoy it, all feedback welcome!

The Chamber.pdf

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/ryanyard/The%20Chamber.mp3

A notation comment: did your advisor not suggest you always place staff names/abbreviated staff names on all pages?

Bump....

Don't be anxious! Your music is always VERY welcome from me. But it is very demanding as well. So... review coming soon!

Ryan,

Just saw this thread! Really don't be anxious. One day and had to bump it? I mean, look at Manos, He's looking down on you from his avatar, while I'm still looking hot in mine...

Now, on the feedback issue: I doubt that you would change anything so I won't be going all "change this", "this could be better", "maybe try...", and so on... It is one of these pieces that is complete and ready!

On the meaty stuff now:

CONGRATULATIONS! The piece is very well crafted, and the recording is live, which means that you had so many instruments, as performers, and the opportunity to record it live! you are on your way my man! YAY!

On some random thoughts on.

I would really like a sketch of the sitting plan of the performers. Cause somehow, as far as I know, the contrabass as a solo instrument is a tad on the weak side (compairing to the rest of the strings that is), so without knowing where they were sitting, I can't tell if it's the CBs not heard, or the recording it self. Also the way you describe the sitting plan, it would seem to me that the audience would get a differnet perspective depending on where they would sit. Is this what you intended?

The atmosphere that you are creating is indeed very good! (what a crappy word to descirbe something: "good" BLIAH!). You have managed to create a great atmosphere a very sensual and flowing feeling... The use of percussion helps a lot as well.

finally I will say that this slow paced, not really changing, music is not my type of music, but can't go without praising it's merrits, even if I personally don't fancy it. You are correct to say that the recording is not doing justise, and that the piece needs to be heard live ;) I hope that one day I'll get to meet you (are you in London?) and get to listen to your music live...

I enjoy your music. I would love to see this performed as it seems to be a "gotta be there" experience. I personally like fast cars,fast women and fast music, so parts of this put me to sleep. I know this would be different in person. The piece does what music should do, convey emotions while keeping the listener's attention. I think you have done that very well. Congrats on your degree.

Hey, I suspect I was a bit hasty in my response to Cowboy who warned me about bumping my own threads. I told him that I had tried to follow the rules at all times and was a little impatient with him so apologies. I just felt things should move a little, sorry for my impatience.

As to the seating plan: Imagine a rectangular room, with 2 pianos in front of you, percussion behind you and the two perimeter walls with the string players running down in a mirror image formation.

This is how it was done, with no house lights but special lighting to create the optimum mood.

It is very slow paced and takes a long time to develop, but this is how my musical ideas work.

Sorry for any typos, have been out for some beers, today was my final hand in deadline for all my work!

Yay!!!

Hahaha, Nikola! Well, this is fascinating! You have composed (yet another) piece of music! The score was delicious! The way you sustained the notes in one group while moving them in the other created a great, brooding effect.

I loved your senza vibrato parts, the espressivo parts, the use of the percussion...

The climax in the rehearsal mark K was orgasmic!

The only thing I have to say is that the ambient soundscape you create, until rehearsal mark C might be a bit tiring to hear. But then the listener gets your full and undivided attention!

Congratulations! I feel this is your best music until now, from what I've heard thus far (still waiting for the violin concerto recording, though)! I wish I could enjoy the actual performance!

A notation comment: did your advisor not suggest you always place staff names/abbreviated staff names on all pages?

I don't believe it is necessary on each page, it is a custom I have always adopted that it appear on the first page. In this context I don't believe it was necessary. This was a personal choice.

Hahaha, Nikola! Well, this is fascinating! You have composed (yet another) piece of music! The score was delicious! The way you sustained the notes in one group while moving them in the other created a great, brooding effect.

I loved your senza vibrato parts, the espressivo parts, the use of the percussion...

The climax in the rehearsal mark K was orgasmic!

The only thing I have to say is that the ambient soundscape you create, until rehearsal mark C might be a bit tiring to hear. But then the listener gets your full and undivided attention!

Congratulations! I feel this is your best music until now, from what I've heard thus far (still waiting for the violin concerto recording, though)! I wish I could enjoy the actual performance!

Thanks a lot, that means a lot to me. The climax at K was really intense for me to compose, it meant so much to me and is deeply personal for me acting in a cathartic way. When we played it live it really was spinetingling, it sounds quite weak on the recording but in the space it was a huge sound, an incredible moment that I am very proud of.

I am glad you see this as my strongest work, I really think I have an original voice now as a composer (without sounding big headed) so I am just going to continue going in this direction to see where it takes me.

As to the Violin Concerto, you have heard the recording here? I am in talks with another violinist to play it but it could be a long time beofre I hear it again! :(

Thanks a lot, that means a lot to me. The climax at K was really intense for me to compose, it meant so much to me and is deeply personal for me acting in a cathartic way. When we played it live it really was spinetingling, it sounds quite weak on the recording but in the space it was a huge sound, an incredible moment that I am very proud of.

I am glad you see this as my strongest work, I really think I have an original voice now as a composer (without sounding big headed) so I am just going to continue going in this direction to see where it takes me.

As to the Violin Concerto, you have heard the recording here? I am in talks with another violinist to play it but it could be a long time beofre I hear it again! :(

I should be the one to thank you for posting such wonderfully crafted music. You are by far one of the most talented present-time composers I have heard. :(

I feel that your music explorations are going the right way, having followed your latest music.

Yup, I have heard the rehearsal recording and I have read the story behind the violin concerto. I am looking forward to listen to it being treated properly!

Cheers! :thumbsup:

That is perhaps one of the nicest compliments I have had about my music so thanks loads!

Not sure what my next piece is yet, possibly a sax quartet.

That is perhaps one of the nicest compliments I have had about my music so thanks loads!

Not a compliment, my friend...that's pure fact. I feel your music is criminally underappreciated. :o

Good use of pointillism. It reminds me of a chamber work by Dutilleaux. Very mysterious and atmospheric. I wonder if this was inspired by the sounds of the night.

My piece was not inspired by the night. In fact, I will let you in on a secret....the Chamber is a metaphor for my own skull!

The opening of this piece immediately garnered my attention. The eerie high sounds and bell-like textures provide a solid coloration to the the beginning of this piece. These types of sounds seem especially prevalent in 21st century music, as I'm beginning to notice.

Hats off to creating such a vivid atmosphere.

Exactly what kind of chamber is this? I'm imagining all sorts of horrors that must go on there. This piece does a good job of transitioning from section to section. Here and there I hear some Steve Reich-ien sounds, the pulsating strings mixed with the vibraphone.

Hey thanks for the comments. You are right about the Reich influence, I was aware of this and he has had a big impact on my life as a composer.

The Chamber itself is a metaphorical place, entirely up to the listener to decide. I have my view and others may have theirs. As the composer of this work, the chamber represents the physical space of my own head, both the claustrophobia and passion that the work displays.

I'm glad you felt that it flowed well, as it is such a long piece there is the risk that it may bore the listener but I tried my hardest to plan out the piece to avoid that.

An off-topic discussion that took place in this thread has been moved here:

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/chamber-split-discussion-8353.html

Please keep all discourse related to the piece in question. ktnx.

Just thought I would give a little update. I received my mark today for my final year composition portfolio. This consisted of The Chamber, Second String Quartet and Ghost Whisper. I got a mark of 78 which I am very pleased with.

HEY!

Congrats Ryan!

That is distinction right? Well done mate!

What is it with this stupid countries education system, that won't allow people who deserve it to get 92? I mean because of the ranging systemm they will have to put some people down, no matter what, or how good the class is.

What an idiotic system it is :) I really feel sad when teaching undergrads... I really do. To watch all the students, and know that 1-2 MUST fail, is farily awful, to say the least...

Yeah 70 is a first class so 78 is pretty high. I'm pleased, although its consistent with my marks in previous years.

Will comment on your f......g life soon, I have heard it but did not have time to comment but will do this weekend.

Cheers!

That's 78 out of a hundred?

yup!

Damn! And the criteria? What kind of composition has received a 100 if this one has received 78??

I don't think anyone has received 100. The highest I got was 80 in year 2 but that was marked at level 4 or 5 whereas my final years work is marked at the highest level of 6. I don't know what other composers on my course got but I would imagine 78 is one of the highest marks.