Two Scherzos

G'day fellas!

I hope you're all doing well! When it comes to composing, very rarely do I manage to exceed 8 bars for any given tune, let alone get to the end as I did with my Étude in G minor. These scherzos (which I think I started around a year ago) are exceptions to this, yet I haven't managed to get very far past the opening theme!

Ultimately, I envision them to be traditional in their structure, with an opening theme (repeated), a secondary theme (repeated), a trio and a coda. I have a feeling that I will be using this forum more than any other, hahaha! Who else has had a go at writing a scherzo? What were your inspirations? 

Quinn St. Mark

Scherzo No. 1 in E Major.mid

Scherzo No. 2 in A Major.mid

G'day @Quinn St. Mark,

Can you provide the pdf score of your draft? That helps us capture yoir thoughts better!

For me the Scherzo in E is real funny. Your modulation is real great, first to a G# minor and them to a hexatonic pole C minor!! Will it be too fast to modulate to that key? Or playing with the hexatonic keys will be great, e.g C major and Ab major.

Your rhythmic and motivic sense in the A major one is really great. You make use of the opening fate motive really well with the tactus. I feel like it's more developed here before getting to the unknown territories like the G minor, befor returning to the opening A major, since you are heading there with a dominant chord. Great job!

8 hours ago, Quinn St. Mark said:

Who else has had a go at writing a scherzo? What were your inspirations? 

I have written Scherzi for the second movements of my 1st Piano Sonata, 1st and 2nd String Quartets and 1st Clarinet Quintet. The former three are in Scherzo and Trio form, while the last one (which is posted here on YC)is in Sonata form. For me they are inspired by sheer energy, whether the energy is powerful, youthful or evil.

Thanks for sharing Quinn! Really happy you will keep staying here!

Henry

Also any possibility of posting an mp3 rendition of these?  Unfortunately, on my chromebook, I cannot playback midi files.  Thanks!

G'day @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu,

I hope you're well!

14 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Can you provide the pdf score of your draft? That helps us capture yoir thoughts better!

Sure, no worries.

14 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

For me the Scherzo in E is real funny. Your modulation is real great, first to a G# minor and them to a hexatonic pole C minor!! Will it be too fast to modulate to that key? Or playing with the hexatonic keys will be great, e.g C major and Ab major.

Your rhythmic and motivic sense in the A major one is really great. You make use of the opening fate motive really well with the tactus. I feel like it's more developed here before getting to the unknown territories like the G minor, befor returning to the opening A major, since you are heading there with a dominant chord. Great job!

Thanks heaps for the feedback! Regarding whether or not the change of key is too fast to modulate I'm hoping to insert a variation of tempos throughout, I guess I could add the odd più lento here and there! I'll also see what I can do to modify the latter section of the A Major one.

14 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

I have written Scherzi for the second movements of my 1st Piano Sonata, 1st and 2nd String Quartets and 1st Clarinet Quintet. The former three are in Scherzo and Trio form, while the last one (which is posted here on YC)is in Sonata form. For me they are inspired by sheer energy, whether the energy is powerful, youthful or evil.

That's so cool! I've got to give them a listen. Cheers!

G'day @PeterthePapercomPoser,

I hope you are well, too! As requested, here are the .mp3 versions.

All the best,

Quinn