Second Composition Excitement

Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic recital last night!! The recital was such a nice way to end off the week - and if your week was as stressful as mine was, you probably felt the same way! It was great to sit back and really listen to all the compositions. I wanted to play the piano part for mine, but I also wanted to have someone else play it so I could listen to it from a different perspective. I'm glad to I chose the second option! It feels very rewarding to have the performance over with, final bound copy of the score in hand, ready to submit on Monday.

I must admit though, after such a good night, I felt inspired to do more work on our final assignment. As much as I would love to write for choir, I understand that it doesn't present a balance issue...but, I am choosing to write for SATB (2 singers per part), with a brass quintet. The reason for 2 singers on each part is because the brass instruments are loud anyway, and I think with only 4 voices, it may be very challening. With 8, I think there will still be balance issues to work out and think carefully about, but not as easy as a full choir with brass quintet. I am writing a "Crucifixus", and I'm really looking forward to digging into it! Just to briefly cover the text, it reads:

Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato: passus et sepultus est.
[He was] crucified also for us, under Pontius Pilate:[he] suffered and was buried.

I am definitely playing with semitones here for sure!! I think the brass quintet will capture the idea of crucifixion and suffering. This is exciting, and I feel really motivated to get to work on this!!

All for now - see you on Monday!
-Jenn

Project No. 2 - Thoughts

As I think about the second project, many thoughts come to mind. I would love to write a piece for concert band or orchestra. I've actually wanted to do that for a long time. But, the time constraint scares me! I'm also from a very chorally-related person, as opposed to coming from an instrumental background, so this makes me want to explore the band or orchestra option more.

I know that the choice for writing for choir isn't possible this term, but I have an idea that I'd like to present, and hopefully this may work. Something else I've always wanted to do, and hopefully will in the future, is to compose a mass or a requiem. I have toyed with the idea of writing a "Crucifixus" for SATB and brass quintet. This wouldn't necessarily have to be for a choir, just one singer per part. This is only one option - I could compose any part of the mass or requiem really, and I will put more thought into this, but the "Crucifixus" stood out to me. Using the brass quintet, it also presents a balance issue. My question, is if this would present ENOUGH of a balance issue for choir and brass quintet. If not, I am equally happy writing for 4 singers and the quintet.

I am curious as to whether or not this is acceptable or not. Dr. Ross - could you make a comment or suggestion as to what you think of the idea? Also from anyone else, what are your thoughts??

Have a wonderful midterm break everyone!
-Jenn

Nah, maybe not THAT crazy...

I'm pleasantly surprised as I'm working on my new composition...I was stressed about starting something BRAND new a week before the due date, but I am relating to this one far better than I was with the first. I think the difference, is that I am working with text. That's not to say that writing vocal music is easier, but I personally think I relate to it better. I found a poem that really speaks to me, and of course, if I really like something, the motivation is greater. I come from a more chorally-dominated music background, as opposed to one of an instrumental nature. I think I jumped into my first piece and made it complicated too soon; this one is going quite well. I have no worries about completing it for Monday.

Last week was also a very stressful week with an abundance of assignments and exams - I think my brain was flooded, and then I tried to work with composition, and didn't succeed as I had planned. I love working with choral/solo voice works, so I think I'm definitely writing in the right direction.

Here's to a weekend of composition!!
-Jenn

I Must be Crazy....!!!

I don't think I've experienced something like this before...

I don't know if it's simply because I just don't like my piece anymore...if it's because I've gone too much into the depths of atonality and I'm afraid of it, or if I'm just really in a rut with my piece.

BUT. Guess what Jenn did this weekend??
Jenn started a new piece....altogether. Brand new. EEEEEP. I was concerned about doing this first, but I needed something to present tomorrow, and "Shipwreck" wasn't going to get me anywhere. So, I now introduce to you all, "Of Pearls and Stars." Am I completely out of my mind???

I went back to my first blog post, and read Dr. Ross' comment about mine, which read "However, I now think that it may not sound as atonal as it could."I think my understanding of atonality has changed - it doesn't have to sound chaotic and "unattractive." I did some re-thinking, and in this new piece, there are definitely recognizable chords (major or minor) but their functions are not the same as in a tonal piece of music, or at least, I tried not to write functional harmonies. For instance, a brief look at a section of the piece: "F# walking down to C minor, to Eb minor, C7, A major...."

My new instrumentation is scored for soprano, tenor, cello, violin, and piano. I am taking the text from a poem written by Heinrich Heine, "Of Pearls and Stars." I am already having more luck with this composition than I was with the other - in 2 days, I wrote as much as I did in 1.5 weeks with "Shipwreck." I'll leave you to read the text, and I'll see you all tomorrow!

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The pearly treasures of the sea,
The lights that spatter heaven above,
More precious than these wonders are
My heart-of-hearts filled with your love.

The ocean's power, the heavenly sights
Cannot outweigh a love filled heart.
And sparkling stars or glowing pearls
Pale as love flashes, beams and darts.

So, little, youthful maiden come
Into my ample, feverish heart
For heaven and earth and sea and sky
Do melt as love has melt my heart.