Post-Term Review

Well the concert was this past Wednesday night and somehow magically (at least for me) it all came together! Obviously there were things that I would change, and things that I loved. My performers were awesome and I only wish that I had given them the opportunity to have more time with the score, however they did great for the lack of time/rehearsing we did for this! I also fear that my piece wasn't quite as effective as I'd had hoped (read: I don't know if I really did the whole dubstep thing complete justice..), but again, with the time that I had I'm happy with the overall product. Everyone should be really proud! We had a strong concert, lots of great music. 

This term as a whole has been great as the composition class has challenged me in various areas of composition. Whether that be building a piece and trying to make sense of chords created at random (which turned out quite well in my opinion!) or taking a specific idea or goal and composing something that reflects that.

So hopefully I can do some minor composing over the break (as in small amounts, not solely in minor keys)..

Although my break is pretty cray as well in terms of how busy I am. Though a lack of school is a welcomed thing for a month. And Christmas is pretty best kind too...

In conclusion: It's been a great term. Ups, downs, stress, you name it. But we got through, and learned a lot, and that's the main thing!

SO until next time,

Brad

Nearly there!

Tomorrow is the big day! The performance. I finished my score on the weekend, sent it out, and had a rehearsal on Monday (yesterday). The rehearsal went quite well actually and I'm excited for the performance.

One of the things I found slightly different about this piece is the lack of a name. I knew exactly what my last piece was and the name sort of just came and made sense and worked. With this, I wrote it, finished it, played it, mulled it over--no name. I had no 'image' in my mind.
Today I decided to play it for my girlfriend (well, the piano part) to see what she thought. She suggested first asking my performers what they felt the piece was to them, however, after a discussion a name came to me. She likened it to a turbulent relationship.. beginning with imperfect harmonies, though quite delicate and tonal--building and developing before erupting into a dramatic explosion. It sounds angry, like a huge fight. Destructive, even. By the end the fight is over, though not quite resolved. I thought--well it does seem quite impassioned and thought "The Fire". Fire is often used as a symbol of passion, both in religious and secular fields. Fire is both delicate and beautiful, but also can be quite fearsome and destructive. And so, The Fire, seemed to fit.

I hinted at dubstep elements, mostly leaning toward softer dubstep as seen in the song Drvgs by DVBBS. A soft, melodious intro leading into a section with more of a driving beat, and finally falling to the drop and the part that makes it dubstep. I played with different elements of each instrument that I hope brought out hints towards the techno/dance genre (muting piano strings, fluttertonguing flute, etc.)

Overall I am happy with what I made of this project--this piece. And I hope that others can agree!
So, here's to tomorrow!

Until some other time,

Brad