crookedmelody

Haha that's awesome. How was the show?

I really like to watch/read interviews with composers (and other kinds of artists). I think it's interesting to see how they talk about their art and how they view their art. Also, it sometimes offers a glimpse into their compositional processes which can be helpful and inspiring for young composers. I'd like to post some videos with composers that were particularly inspiring and thought provoking for me, and hopefully you too. Not all of these are composers I listen to very much (this doesn't apply to the painter and writers), but I thought these videos themselves were interesting and very inspiring. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Frank Ticheli 6) (never seen his work, but he has some great points here)7) ALAN MOORE (IF YOU WATCH ANY OF THESE, WATCH THIS ONE. A great writer) I hope you got something out of these. please post more.

Cool, glad I could introduce you to him.

Cool, hope you like them!

Alright, well... Frank Zappa was best known for his rock music, but he originally set out to be a modern composer. Towards the end of his career he began recording music with more classical-like ensembles. For instance, his work with the London Symphony Orchestra, (Check out Frank Zappa, LSO Vol. 1). The Ensemble Modern (Check out The Yellow Shark, there are videos of it on youtube.... Dog/Meat, also Then Ensemble Modern plays Frank Zappa: Gregarry Peccary and other Persuasions) and his work with Pierre Boulez's Ensemble Intercontemporian (The Perfect Stranger). All of his studio albums are great too. Particularly Roxy and Elsewhere, Hot Rats, One Size Fits All, there are sooo many. Toru Takemitsu is a japanese composer (20th century) who was influenced by Debussy and Messiaen. His work is really interesting because he blends elements of Eastern and Western culture, philosophy, and musical ideas. Check out Conlon Nancarrow is this crazy guy who was from Arkansas, but involved with communism and all this crazy political stuff and ended up an exile in Mexico. He was discovered by Ligeti, I believe. He wrote a lot of music for player piano that is unplayable by humans. It is really, really wild stuff. I also like his string quartets 1 and 3. Oliver Knussen might also be worth mentioning but I havent really heard that much of his stuff. He was friend and interpreter of Takemitsu and his music.

was that directed at me?

FRANK ZAPPA! also I don't know if these guys are underrated or not but... Toru Takemitsu Conlon Nancarrow

Yea, same here. I usually make complete sketches on paper. When I'm basically done with the piece I put it into Finale just so I can print out a neat hard copy and call it finished.

I agree with Dominus. I love to write music by hand. Just the physical activity alone is fun to me. It's like art. Plus, I can write and kind of rhythmic grouping or whatever else without pushing like 5 buttons first.

I enjoyed this piece. I really like your phrasing and instrumentation. The way you write for trombone is really interesting and sounds great, something that I had not heard before. Together, the trombone and tenor sax sound great carrying the melody. Good job. Your music is really enjoyable.

that sounds REALLY cool, but unfortunately the link didnt work for me....

Im gonna take your advice right now!

thats a good point

I am wondering what kind of ensembles or instruments one might write for if they are new to composition. Something that maybe isn't too complex? I know obviously like piano but what about string quartets or something? what would you recommend? also where could I find information about writing for whatever it is you recommend? thanks

I really like this. especially when the chords come in heavy at the beginning