Ascending Sequence Help

Hi all,

I have developed a sequential motif in one of my works and I would like to hear from other members whether some of my counterpoint could be better and, if so, advise how.

There are 5 voices in this work and I have tried to make each voice as independent as possible.

Please respond with any suggestions you may have.

The tempo of the movement in which it features is fast and I have slowed the tempo by around 40% to allow one to hear each voice clearly.

Thanks

Assuming that this is all in concert pitch, I would not be able to play the Horn part that you have written.  it goes up to a written F# above high C for F Horn and I can barely hit a D sometimes - it seems quite impractical and would be much better if given to a second Oboe.  EDIT:  On second thought, it goes too low for an oboe so it seems like English Horn or Clarinet would be more suited for the part.  On English Horn the highest note in the passage would be a written high E above high C which should be possible.

11 hours ago, PaperComposer said:

Assuming that this is all in concert pitch, I would not be able to play the Horn part that you have written.  it goes up to a written F# above high C for F Horn and I can barely hit a D sometimes - it seems quite impractical and would be much better if given to a second Oboe.  EDIT:  On second thought, it goes too low for an oboe so it seems like English Horn or Clarinet would be more suited for the part.  On English Horn the highest note in the passage would be a written high E above high C which should be possible.

 

Hi, yes this is the English Horn, sorry for the confusion. 

The basis of the sequence is in the bassoon, horn and oboe part. So it is really the Clarinet and Flute I am focused on here. Listening again today I think the flute overcomplicates too much. I think perhaps the falling 4ths with the clarinet and horn are unnecessary. 

@Markus Boyd It is not uncommon for French Horns to be part of a Wind Quintet also so it's really important that you show in the score which variety of Horn you're referring to because "Horn" by itself usually just means French Horn.

About the passage itself - what made you decide between staccato in the oboe and bassoon and legato in the flute?  Shouldn't they be consistent?  Also at this tempo the staccato seems almost too short and adding a tenuto marking over those dots may be appropriate.  At the original tempo however - will those staccatos still be practical?  I think it sounds fine in terms of counterpoint.

35 minutes ago, PaperComposer said:

@Markus Boyd It is not uncommon for French Horns to be part of a Wind Quintet also so it's really important that you show in the score which variety of Horn you're referring to because "Horn" by itself usually just means French Horn.

About the passage itself - what made you decide between staccato in the oboe and bassoon and legato in the flute?  Shouldn't they be consistent?  Also at this tempo the staccato seems almost too short and adding a tenuto marking over those dots may be appropriate.  At the original tempo however - will those staccatos still be practical?  I think it sounds fine in terms of counterpoint.

 

As it happens, my software does not include the french horn within the base sound library and it is indeed unfortunate it does not make this distinction. I will be clearer on the instrument in future as you’re not the first to raise it. 
 

The legato/staccato mix up was careless on my part. I suspect my leaning towards staccato notes at certain points is due to my listening of music from that era and that this effect is the closest I can achieve with that. Whether or not it is actually playable at a fast tempo for the instruments written here is an important question indeed and I would need to consult experienced players.
 

The work is about 70% complete with a bit of filling in required here and there as well as completion of the recap of the first and second movement. I have a rondo for the third which is a new form to me though I seem to be going 8n the right direction. 
 

thanks as always