Two Minuets (based on schemata)

Who could have said I would start to write this kind of pieces? I am very fond of contemporary languages, of course.

Now and then, I wrote a piece in what I thought it was a baroque style.... But I was wrong.

Some weeks ago I began to study Music from its very beginning: cantus firmus, monophony, primitive polyphony, counterpoint, etc..... ALL of the music we know today comes from those times.

Schemata is a big set of harmonic and melodic patterns flourishing in the galant style. However, many of them were born many many years before, and on the other hand, they were going to be present in music forever.

So, now I find myself writing Minuets, or short pieces, just to learn these schemata. I love them and I love the endless ways to combine them, and now I really understand what baroque is. But most important, I know this stuff will have a principal role in my future projects whatever language they use.

Two short minuet-trio with notated schemata.

I'm a big fan of this kind of study. 

I've always wondered about the various rhythmic facets that often accompanied this genre. For instance, I know that the different styles were often punctuated by rhythmic patterns -but that's really all I know on it!

Anyways, I think the material is very cohesive and was definitely enjoyable to listen to. THanks for sharing!

Wow after this I must read Gjerdingen's book as soon as possible! The minuets are not entirely baroque, but it really shows your hard work! Great job!

12 hours ago, Luis Hernández said:

Some weeks ago I began tu study Music from its very beginning: cantus firmus, monophony, primitive polyphony, counterpoint, etc..... ALL of the music we know today comes from those times.

Oh man you reminded me I have the Oxford History of Western music half-read in my cell phone. I must really retake it lol. 

• The music sounds very, very delightful to me. The harpsichord to begin with, the sound of it even when digitally interpreted just wins me. I would say that I prefer the second minuet over the first one, though the first sounds more "abundant" to me, possibly because the stronger presence of ornaments and its overall flow and faster tempo. They make a good pair together.
• I would have liked a ritardando at the end of the "Minueto en Sol Menor" but that's just my mere mortal humble opinion :B.
• I also liked how you point out each schemata (I believe these are the "schemata" you did make reference to, right?) in the score.

Mind if I shared this on my twitter and sent it to some friends of mine?

In any case, thank you so much for sharing these two minuets, Luis.

Kind regards,
Daniel–Ømicrón.



 

4 hours ago, Henry Ng said:

Wow after this I must read Gjerdingen's book as soon as possible! The minuets are not entirely baroque, but it really shows your hard work! Great job!

 

This book is essential but there are other resources. Sometimes Gjerdingen beats around the bush. Although his examples with analysis are wonderful.

And yes, this is not baroque, it is galant style, in which thick counterpoint is not present anymore. The bass is now functional and not melodic.

59 minutes ago, Omicronrg9 said:

Oh man you reminded me I have the Oxford History of Western music half-read in my cell phone. I must really retake it lol. 

• The music sounds very, very delightful to me. The harpsichord to begin with, the sound of it even when digitally interpreted just wins me. I would say that I prefer the second minuet over the first one, though the first sounds more "abundant" to me, possibly because the stronger presence of ornaments and its overall flow and faster tempo. They make a good pair together.
• I would have liked a ritardando at the end of the "Minueto en Sol Menor" but that's just my mere mortal humble opinion :B.
• I also liked how you point out each schemata (I believe these are the "schemata" you did make reference to, right?) in the score.

Mind if I shared this on my twitter and sent it to some friends of mine?

In any case, thank you so much for sharing these two minuets, Luis.

Kind regards,
Daniel–Ømicrón.



 

 

Hi, hola.

Yes the annotations are the schemata used in each moment.

Of course you can share this stuff. I will write more with more schemata.

In my blog (in Spanish) there is much more information

http://komptools.blogspot.com/2022/11/el-estilo-galante.html

Here you have a version for youtube.

11 minutes ago, Luis Hernández said:

In my blog (in Spanish) there is much more information

http://komptools.blogspot.com/2022/11/el-estilo-galante.html

Sadly the blog is only in Spanish. I find your blog really detailed by simply looking at the examples and guessing the meaning of words!

13 hours ago, Henry Ng said:

Sadly the blog is only in Spanish. I find your blog really detailed by simply looking at the examples and guessing the meaning of words!

 

Yes.... One of the reasons I started this blog was that there is little (or non) information about some topics in Spanish. It is a tool for me, too. I study many things and I put them there, always being practical and showing HOW to use the resources (from my point of view, of course). I think there are many.sites and books that describe the theory, but how to write and compose with it... no.

I thought of making a version in English but it's too late, there are more than 350 entries.

In all, I'm happy with it. Bearing in mind what it is about (tools for composition), having 700-800 visits per day it's a success. But I don't work on it for the visits, the blog is not monetized. It's because I love music.

I love hearing your "study" pieces, as I feel I'm learning things I may have missed from listening to them. You're the best one here that gives very detailed scores with insight into what you're doing, as well as always providing the chords. I appreciate that, as I can read with ease glancing at the chords while I follow the melodies. Very well done, Luis

9 hours ago, Luis Hernández said:

I think there are many.sites and books that describe the theory, but how to write and compose with it... no.

Yeah in nowadays more and more specialized world, theorists are no composers and vice versa. You should be really proud of the site and the insights you've given to others! For composers that are not talented like me, I will have to research A LOT to write music! Your site should be really helpful!

I want to advertise a youtube channel here: https://youtube.com/@DavidGozaTheAtheistCodger . His insights and approach is amazing!