Solo Cello Competition

Did anyone request extra time, or will we have any news about this one soon?

Nobody wrote, that he/she needs extra time. There are 4 entries, if I count well, but I have to wait for one more day, because somebody sent only the mp3, but not the score. After it, I tell the results, and I write detailed comments on every piece, here :)

I just saw this thread today. So if the deadline is extended to June 10, I might give it a go (I still have 8 days). I haven't written in 20th century style though, so I don't know if I will be able to do it.

I just saw this thread today. So if the deadline is extended to June 10, I might give it a go (I still have 8 days). I haven't written in 20th century style though, so I don't know if I will be able to do it.

Just buy a bottle of ink, immerse a small cloth inside, hold it above some staff paper, move it around a bit, and see where the drops fall. Then notate it. Thank me later.

Okay guys! The competition is over and here I am to tell the results!

There were 5 entries in 3 music styles. I am very happy, that you sent so long pieces, two of the pieces are over 10 minutes in performance! I will write a short comment on every piece.

The winner of this competition: Daria Baiocchi - Sospeso (per violoncello solo ed elettronica)

I really like this piece. I don't really know, how can it be precisely performed, but I would like to try. I like the strange effects in the electronic accompaniments. There are some very difficult parts, which I don't know, how can be performed, yet (measures 63-70 always changing between arco and pizz.). Congratulations, great piece!

There are two other pieces, I will perform once for sure.

Robert F. Beers - Four Apologies (for solo cello)

It's a great work too, but there are a few things which I would like to suggest some changes on. First of all about the clefs, and it's for everybody! Using C clef is very nice, it's very useful. But don't use the very low part of that clef, because on the D-G-C strings violoncellists like to play in bass clef! In higher register you can use the treble clef, it's very comfortable to read for the violoncellists. Also, everybody should take care of the double, triple and quadruple stops. A triple or quadruple stop can't be sustained, it's not possible Also take care that a third or second pitch interval is very unconfortable on cello. Of course it's playable, but not in a scale! For example, Robert, measure 174 and 184, I would play it with the open C string and A on G. The same notes, but better sound, I think. Think of it!

Trevor Holden - A Meditation on Life and Death (for solo cello)

There are some great ideas in this piece, but there are many mistakes in the score (yet). First of all, in measures 146 and 158, the type of the clefs. Those should be treble or C clef instead of viola clef.. After it, you shouldn't write the staccato notation on every note, you may write it as an expression text, and we will play it like the same. Or just like in measure 69, of course, we wouldn't play that part tenuto, if the previous notes were all staccato notes. I like the middle part with the interesting effects! In measure 157 I don't really understand, what you want me to play. Maybe you should write it in details in footnotes. Again the tempo: Andantino furioso? That part is not slow anymore! Write Allegro or Presto there if you want that part to be played faster! Why the calando in measure 190? And lastly the diminuendo in the end: I would play a more crescendo, it would be very effective, I think. Think of these things, I think they are very important!

There are two other entries:

Nebal Maysaud - Cello Sonata (for cello and piano)

Well, the task was to write a piece for solo cello or cello + electronics,because I don't have a pianist right now :) If you want to write a piece for cello + piano, the cello should be the upper staff in the score! It's important! Seems like the piano and the cello does not have its own function, the instruments play the same music.

Vahan Luder Artinian - "Cello-quy" (for cello solo)

I don't really understand this piece. Modern style is not about being inconsistent in melodies, or having many themes one after the other. Modern music (in my opinion) is about a very composed structure hidden behind the notes, on which the piece itself is built. Think of this next time.

I'm sorry for those, who recognized this competition very lately. But I have an other competition for you: in this month your task is to write a chamber piece for Guitar and some instruments of my band (flute, violin, viola, cello, horn, trumpet)! Try yourself in that competition too :)

Thanks for your entries! The concert will take place in Budapest, Hungary, in the August-November interval. I hope there will be a recording!

Marcell Magyari

Are these pieces posted anywhere? I would be interested in hearing/seeing them.

There are two other pieces, I will perform once for sure.

Robert F. Beers - Four Apologies (for solo cello)

It's a great work too, but there are a few things which I would like to suggest some changes on. First of all about the clefs, and it's for everybody! Using C clef is very nice, it's very useful. But don't use the very low part of that clef, because on the D-G-C strings violoncellists like to play in bass clef! In higher register you can use the treble clef, it's very comfortable to read for the violoncellists. Also, everybody should take care of the double, triple and quadruple stops. A triple or quadruple stop can't be sustained, it's not possible Also take care that a third or second pitch interval is very unconfortable on cello. Of course it's playable, but not in a scale! For example, Robert, measure 174 and 184, I would play it with the open C string and A on G. The same notes, but better sound, I think. Think of it!

Thanks for your comment! I'll try to take care of these little issues as soon as possible, esp. if there's the prospect of a performance. Should it eventually happen, I'd love to have it recorded...

Thanks again, it was quite an experience for me.

EDIT: I have replaced the notes in both 174 and 184, so that now the double stop fits what you suggested. Also edited the clefs according to your suggestions, attempting to make it easier to read. As for the triple or quadruple stops, I would just expect a performer to roll them as he deems appropiate.

Trevor Holden - A Meditation on Life and Death (for solo cello)

There are some great ideas in this piece, but there are many mistakes in the score (yet). First of all, in measures 146 and 158, the type of the clefs. Those should be treble or C clef instead of viola clef.. After it, you shouldn't write the staccato notation on every note, you may write it as an expression text, and we will play it like the same. Or just like in measure 69, of course, we wouldn't play that part tenuto, if the previous notes were all staccato notes. I like the middle part with the interesting effects! In measure 157 I don't really understand, what you want me to play. Maybe you should write it in details in footnotes. Again the tempo: Andantino furioso? That part is not slow anymore! Write Allegro or Presto there if you want that part to be played faster! Why the calando in measure 190? And lastly the diminuendo in the end: I would play a more crescendo, it would be very effective, I think. Think of these things, I think they are very important!

It was quite an experience for me, too! So, thank you, as well.

I will definitely go back and fix the things you mentioned! You said that you would play it once? Do you want me to send you the final updated score? Just curious, would this be at your leisure, or for an audience as well? :P

---

Hey, Robert, I'd like to hear/take a look at your work :) I'm sure it is worthy.

Hey, Robert, I'd like to hear/take a look at your work :) I'm sure it is worthy.

I've been a bit shy about this work due to the fact that it's nowhere close to what I usually compose. But given your request (plus a few others') I'll most likely have it uploaded anyway, probably within the next few days. I'd be pleased to have feedback on it - even if it's just someone politely telling me I was right in calling the piece a series of "Apologies" for writing it - or that I should better stick to Romanticism :P ...

Shy? :P Haha, well, you've already gotten one review claiming it's greatness ;) I doubt you need to apologize! I'm looking forward to your post.

I'll probably upload mine too, for suggestions on improvement, to try and 'persuade' some uni student to perform, and record... :P

Alright, I've beaten my shyness. Here is it: http://www.youngcomposers.com/music/2505/four-apologies-for-cello-solo-op-33/ ... Feedback is welcome.