The Carl von Ossietzky University in Oldewngburg, Germany has run music composition competitions annually since 2001. This piece was written as an entry in their 2020 competition, the requitrements being a work for piano and orchestra, with the piano part having no limit as to difficulty, and the orchestral parts of medium difficulty but providing challenge for advanced students. The title, literally translated, is "A little makes music", reflecting my primary aspiration to create such a work of music with minimal motif notes and chords.
Essentially then, this composition was a search to maximize the ratio of how many emotions and feelings can be evoked by the inverse amount of the musical components contained within the score (i.e. less is more). Specifically, the piece utilizes a basic 4 note motif in conjunction with mostly minor 7th chords, yet delivers a wide range of sensations for the listener. Why minor 7th chords? Simply because they are the composer's favoured chords when improvising at the piano.
Here are some Listening notes from the my wife, who is also an accomplished pianist:
- The simple piano and mellow clarinet phrases at the beginning of the piece suggest a pleasant anticipation of what is to come. Throughout the first minute, other instruments are introduced, creating some suspense with repetitive instrumental background and swells of volume. The beginning also serves to introduce the minor 7th chords (broken chords in the piano) and the 4 note motif (firstly in the flute and clarinet) that will be heard throughout the piece in various forms. Note too how the string ostinato of 16th notes on G coexists easily with whatever minor 7th chord is being played by the piano.
- The introduction of arpeggios and triplets adds complexity, but the overall effect is still quite gentle and hopeful.
- The forte piano octaves serve to decisively animate the piece and agitate the mood.
- Moving to the middle of the piece, one hears chasing themes while the trumpet and tympani give warning to some unknown and ominous event.
- Suspense builds with the glissando piano, the chugging cellos, but variations between ‘sweet and sour’ leave the listener on edge in anticipation of how the piece will resolve.
- One feels the sky darkening as we move into the final third of the composition. There are heavy, angry sounds and rhythm that suggest a slow march of warriors. Are we approaching the war between good and evil?
- Yes, it would appear that the counterpoint of themes are going to battle.
- The hopeful feeling is restored, for a few minutes, with the lyrical flute melody, but there are element.
- The surprise conclusion, in only a few notes, suggests this composer hopes to emulate Mozart’s musical joke – it was certainly not what we were expecting.
A mock-up of the result is now available for your listening pleasure from the News Playlist.
- Spring / Summer 2020 -
A new pop/soul styled version of my setting of "Live with me and be my love"
A setting for an ensemble of soul singers and a combo of piano, electric bass and drums of a created from verses widely attributed to 16th century writers Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh".
As listeners may realise this recording was produced totally in the digital domain, with the virtual vocal ensemble courtesy of the "Hollywood Backup Singers" sampling software from East West Sounds. This was a first attempt at using it.
It is now available for your listening pleasure from the News Playlist.
LIVE with me, and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dales and fields, And all the craggy mountains yields.
There will we sit upon the rocks, And see the shepherds feed their flocks, By shallow rivers, by whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.
There will I make thee a bed of roses, With a thousand fragrant posies, A cap of flowers, and a kirtle Embroider’d all with leaves of myrtle.
A belt of straw and ivy buds, With coral clasps and amber studs; And if these pleasures may thee move, Then live with me and be my love.
LOVE’S ANSWER If that the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd’s tongue, These pretty pleasures might me move, To live with thee and be thy love.
- In Progress -
Nothing has jumped up and said "compose me!" at the moment ... however, polite suggestions from my listeners are always welcome ;-)
