Voce

Hey man,

I know we talked about it, but post a little description about your music. Things you might want to explore, and some of your music (you can email me this if you'd rather do that, I'll send you my email address). Also, let me know what kind of ensembles you've written for and we'll go from there.

We can develop the piece you showed me if you'd like, or we can start a new piece.

WELLL.

Most of my most recent music is characterized by exploration of "polystylism" which I think is a very interesting concept (although I choose to write some things, like the exercise I showed you, in a more cohesive style.) Schnittke and Auerbach (Lera) have been big influences on me in this regard, and I'd like to further explore this route if possible.

I've written for string trio/duo, solo oboe and clarinet, piano trio, small mixed ensembles, piano solo, guitar, etc. etc.

I've tried a lot of things, mostly in the chamber genre. Instead of staying on the little excerpt I showed you earlier I'd like to start working on the string orch./viola solo piece I mentioned earlier that I haven't begun yet.

Some recent piano solos (most of my latest music has been for piano.)

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/piano-piece-21052.html

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/suite-piano-solo-iii-minuet-20434.html

Prelude No. 1 http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/prelude-solo-piano-20556.html

Prelude No. 2 http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/preludddeeeeeeee-again-21081.html

Prelude No. 4 http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/prelude-no-4-b-major-burlesca-21112.html

Sounds good.

Post your plans and ideas for the viola/string orch. piece and we'll go from there.

By the way, have you heard Schnittke's Monologue? If not, its a work I would like you to check out, if so, listen to it again. ;)

The main idea I have now for this piece is actually similar to Schnittke's Monologue (which I have heard, by the way) - this idea of the viola solo-ing while the orchestra kind of "listens in" unnoticed by the soloist (although maybe of a less grim character - I definitely aim to write a fairly funereal piece for this for personal reasons, but the constant doom and gloom is, as of yet, not something I think I want here.)

This isn't to say I want to emulate that piece specifically, because that particular work never even crossed my mind until you mentioned it.

My original plan was for a slow-fast-slow setup where the material in the outer sections is more obviously related than in the middle panel, which I think I'll adhere to somewhat.

I only brought up the Schnittke because it's the same instrumentation.

Now what you're saying is all well and good, but I need some more specifics here.

What is the duration? 2 minutes? 5 minutes? 15 minutes? 40 minutes?

What about the formal plan? How long is your "slow", your "fast", your second "slow?

One movement (ABA') work? Three movements?

What about orchestra size/instrumentation? 50 first violins? 4 first violins? All doublebasses (like Scelsi's Uaxuctum)?

What are you thinking in terms of melodic and harmonic material? How about rhythmically? Is this going to be an aleotoric piece? Is it going to be a serial piece? Is it going to be a Renaissance style madrigal?

I want to see a more detailed plan before you start writing.

EDIT: I've been enjoying your pieces. You have a good ear, you have some good ideas. I would like to see everything, particularly your rhythmic language, develop more. So, I'd like to push your rhythmic writing a bit. Also, you need to think a little more about spacing and timing. We'll work on that as you go though, so don't worry. ;)

I wanna shoot for something like 10-12 minutes in one ABA movement, although with the 2 slow sections it might end up being longer (one of the slow sections will be the most substantial panel - which one, I don't know.) In any case, fairly concise.

As for melodic/harmonic/rhythmic material, I'm going to keep exploring polystylism here. I want to bring out a main theme to unite the work (more of a leitmotif in this case, as the theme I have in mind symbolizes a specific event), but also to have it change in musical style throughout the piece.

The very first thing I want to do is introduce this (very tonal and "romantic style" to start) theme. My plan for the whole thing isn't terribly specific, just a general layout for the structure and mood of the work.