Thursday, January 22, 2015

Same Piece, New Title!

So I now have two pieces composed for piano and violin with each representing a different facet of "wind." During my seminar presentation of ...and the wind gushed..., the class suggested that I could do more to show the "gushing" of the wind by adding more tremolos and 16th-note runs. However, after careful consideration and thought, I have decided to take Dr. Ross' suggestion instead, which was to keep the piece the way it currently is and give it a new title. During the composition process on this piece, I really liked my initial motive and it provided ample opportunities for variation and development. I was pleased with the way it turned out, and adding more sixteenth-notes would interfere with the aforementioned eighth-note motive that is passed between the piano and violin. Also, since it is a miniature I did not want to introduce too many different ideas/gestures and possibly leave some undeveloped. Therefore, I have renamed the piece as ...as the wind howled..., to reflect the frustrated and angry tone created by the jagged melodies and pointillism used throughout.

I have begun to compose a third piece, which at the moment I think will be the final piece in this set. This piece will, in fact, be called ...and the wind gushed... which will be based upon two different motives: a fast, undulating sixteenth-note motive depicting swirling winds, and a flowing eighth-note pattern. I am using the aforementioned suggestions from the class to create a new piece, one that reflects this title more clearly. Look for my next post as I discuss the completed version of this piece!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

First Blog Post!

Wow! This is my first blog, ever! I'm very excited to be the owner of not just a blog, but a composition blog, where I can write about my compositions and progress with my composing!

Our first assignment in seminar class is to create two short character pieces for piano and one other instrument. However, each piece has to use melody in a non-traditional sense, with one using pointillism. I have chosen to write both for piano and violin, and both pieces are connected through a common theme: wind. 

My first piece ...and the wind whispered... is mostly ethereal and primarily uses artificial and natural harmonics to create a sense of a gentle wind floating by. The class suggested that the octave D's in the left hand in m.9-15 should be one single low D, in order to create space in the texture. I tried it myself afterwards, and I agree that it sounds alot better without the octaves. It was also suggested that certain parts felt "sectionalized" and not connected. I will experiment with this more in the coming week, and post the results of my experimentation soon!

I've just finished composing the companion piece ...and the wind gusted... and will be presenting this in seminar class tomorrow. This piece depicts the wind in a more forceful manner, with sharp and jagged melodies (pointillism) and frequent accents. Looking forward to sharing it!