June Monthly Competition! (Romantic Style)

I was thinking about this a bit more. Could we be more specific as to what constitutes "Romantic"? There is a rather large difference between Weber and Scriabin but both could count as Romantics or be discounted on other grounds. (The same could be said of Beethoven, whom some people consider a Romantic and others, like me, don't, for the most part. However, Beethoven's style comes to me more easily than, say, Sibelius's....)

When I initially read this, I was thinking of music from late Schubert/Berlioz/Chopin, et. al., to about Tchaikovsky/Brahms/Dvorak. My impression is that Post-Romanticism almost seems to be considered a different genre a lot of the time, and the early Romantics are sometimes forgotten (like Weber and other ones who were not quite genius enough to be remembered), but these are still under the umbrella of Romanticism...if one defines them as such.

I understand completely! And, the distinction is important. I consider Beethoven a Romantic, so I can see the discrepancy.

Let's say closer to post-romantic. Like, around Chopin-Tchaik style. Think about the obvious and "cliche". For all intensive purposes, if you ask a lay person what Romantic music sounds like.. that's what you're going for.

I would like to participate if there is still room.

Yussir!

5 spots left! 8ish more days to register. But, I doubt we'll need it. ;)

My goodness, I take one day off to study for my SAT and this thing explodes XD Count me in before it's too late!

Just for fun, I will participate.

Feels like Tchaikovsky was a surefire winner until Brahms, Stravinsky, Bartok and Mahler signed in as well...

Maybe I'm not being overly creative now and I'm sorry to say this but...am I the only thinking that's not a very good melody to work with? The first line is passable (except for the last note), but the second line, and especially the last two bars......... :unsure:

Maybe I'm not being overly creative now and I'm sorry to say this but...am I the only thinking that's not a very good melody to work with? The first line is passable (except for the last note), but the second line, and especially the last two bars......... :unsure:

I agree - The first 3 bars are ok, but the 4th bar, the G is interesting... It's still passable though. The "consequent" if you can call it that, is.. I dunno.. different. Rhythmically it feels very disconnected. But it's still usable material for writing a piece.

I'm not a huge fan of the "melody" either but, depending on how pliable it is, I think I can work with it. How obvious does the imitation of the "melody" need to be? Could I use it as a harmonic line? Could I break it into pieces that are connected by additional material? May I implement chromatic alterations, augmentation/diminution, retrograde, "melodic" inversion, etc...?

Not trying to be a pain; just interested in qualifying for the competition.

I don't know, I've pretty much been spending my day rearranging that melody, and when put in with a decent accompaniment it actually sounds pretty good. It's also good for making variations, I found.

If you don't like it, wedge it in at the start and then try to forget it for the rest of your entry, though you may get many points...

yeah....that melody could be written a bit.....uh......yeah, how much can we alter the melody again? This suddenly became like an episode of Chopped.

If that's the melody I'm dropping out. Sorry, but Romantic pieces hinge on the quality of the melody. And this one isn't very good.

I agree that the shape of the melody seems somewhat odd but I like the challenge.

I understand completely! And, the distinction is important. I consider Beethoven a Romantic, so I can see the discrepancy.

Let's say closer to post-romantic. Like, around Chopin-Tchaik style. Think about the obvious and "cliche". For all intensive purposes, if you ask a lay person what Romantic music sounds like.. that's what you're going for.

This combined with the other people who are entering and the fact that I don't care for the melody much has made me decide to sit this one out.

I know I said I'd probably participate, but the melody just really isn't grabbing me.

I agree that the shape of the melody seems somewhat odd but I like the challenge.

Great! At least someone on here likes the idea of a challenging bit of composing!

Honestly, guys, you can use this melody easily: it doesn't even have to be the focus! I'm pretty sure you could get away with putting it into, say, the Development of a sonata as an extra little theme.

Or, you could just be chicken and drop out at the sight of an unusual melody.

I am not a very good tunesmith. sorry guys. I could rewrite a more chromatic lyrical one...stress and writing block has been an issue.

SInce there was a harsh reaction, here is the new melody.

Competion theme.pdf

No.... just.... no.

I am not a very good tunesmith. sorry guys. I could rewrite a more chromatic lyrical one...stress and writing block has been an issue.

Nooooooooooo! I was totally working on the old one already and enjoying the results!

I just accepted that the "melody" would be a challenge. (I keep putting "melody" in quotes because I didn't assume that the theme needed to be the melody, despite some of the comments.)

SInce there was a harsh reaction, here is the new melody.

Could we take our pick; one or the other?

This combined with the other people who are entering and the fact that I don't care for the melody much has made me decide to sit this one out.

I know I said I'd probably participate, but the melody just really isn't grabbing me.

Just because your piece could reflect a lay understanding of the romantic period doesn't mean you can't put your own spin on it! I imagine that a judge who shares your understanding of romantic nuances (or influencing composers) would appreciate the distinction; a judge who didn't...wouldn't. There will be bias no matter what, that's how judging works. Also, why should the people entering change your interest? I can understand being uninspired by the melody but why not expand your writing capabilities by meeting the challenge?

Whoa. Rant-o-saurus came out. Heh. *sweatdrop*

Romantic pieces fall apart if the melody is no good. So we need a melody that is good to have any realistic chance at writing good music.

Romantic pieces fall apart if the melody is no good. So we need a melody that is good to have any realistic chance at writing good music.

Why not write a melody that you like and use the thematic material elsewhere? Just because it is a theme doesn't mean it is the theme.

I think I am going to upload my initial response to the first theme (and then I think I'll take a look at the second!). Hopefully I can get a little feedback as to whether or not it meets the parameters and maybe it will serve as an example of something that has been done with the theme, encouraging everyone else.

I am not a very good tunesmith. sorry guys. I could rewrite a more chromatic lyrical one...stress and writing block has been an issue.

Nonesense! Just because people think it will be hard to use doesn't discount your 'tunesmith'-ing. I personally found the first theme very helpful in forcing me to look carefully at my chord progressions.

Aniolel... please reupload the first melody as the only melody.

As per the RULES: the melody does NOT have to be the focus of the piece. Make it a countersubject or a bridge melody. Accept that melodies can be basic. Use basic and short to expand. There are pieces to be written from ALL quarter notes. Be glad you have an acceptable tunesmith. Remember that if Aniolel hadn't suggested a romantic composition, we might be doing a John Adams imitation contest. ;)

YOU MAY USE THE FIRST MELODY ONLY.