Miniature Compositions

On the Composer's Forum after the challenge to write 1 minute pieces based on the Enigmatic Scale (se post below) - we made things tougher. This challenge was to write a piece that has 100 or fewer notes (rests do not count). It is to be a finished piece - not a fragment.
My two entries to date are Scherzo Miniature and Duetta Breva - click on the link to hear an MP3.
This is excellent excercise for a composer - it also helps keep the juices going.

The Enigmatic Scale

On a composer forum I participate in we discussed the "Enigmatic Scale". I did some research and found this note:
"In 1888 a music journal in Milan published what it called an "enigmatic scale" of unusual intervals, and invited composers to harmonize it in some fashion. Verdi took up the challenge by using the scale as a basis for a motet in 16th-century style on the traditional "Ave Maria" text. The peculiar ascending/descending scale is set in very long notes in the Bass, Alto, Tenor, and Soprano parts in turn, while the other voices weave around it with extremely chromatic lines, often creating rather startling harmonic progressions. Though intended by the composer primarily as a technical exercise, this Ave Maria still manages to communicate a sense of great drama and religious integrity. A few years before his death, it was published together with three other religious works as Quattro Pezzi Sacri."
The scale referenced is:

We started a challenge. Write pieces of about one minute. Must be for string quartet with optional wind solo - and must be an Adagio.

I wrote three miniatures and these are the MP3s:

Enigmatic Adagio Random Thoughts The Unasked Question

Suite for Unaccompanied Violin

Have just completed a suite for unaccompanied violin. It is called "Reflections".
You can hear the MP3 here. The three movements are - 1. "Wistful" 2. "Anticipation" 3. "Hope". At first I tried adding some type of accompaniment - but it just didn't seem to fit - - what do you think?

On the air

Whoops Now they say the programs are scheduled for 10/28/05 same times. We'll see! On 10/26/2005 at 10:00 PM and at 11:00 PM (Eastern time) two of my pieces will be played on the Composer Channel - an Internet radio station. The URL is;
http://www.TheComposerChannel.com

The two pieces to be featured are Ophelia's Descent for Oboe and Harp and String Opus 1 for String orchestra.

New tools - new fun

I now have Finale 2006 with Garritan Personal Orchestra Lite - and much improved sound and tools. Having a great time learning all the new stuff and enjoying the sounds.

The strings are great and I completed the first movement of a suite for strings - what a difference in the sound of the strings. It can be heard here on my site.

New music for trombone

I've created 2 trombone pieces - Sonatina Rondo which geared toward Tenor Trombone. Lament & Celebration is definetly for Bass Trombone. Listen to both here.

Have also added some new Oboe solos based on Shakespeare Heroines - latest is Tumultuous Kate (as in Taming of the Shrew). Give a listen here

Tribute to Peter Tangemann

A dear friend and fellow composer Peter Tangemann from Grenada died tragically alone missing his dear Cilia who died the year before. Peter and I never met in person but grew very close through the exchange of music and intimate emails . I wrote a piece called "Mein Lieber Freund" in memoriam. It is for unaccompanied Euphonium. My friend in the UK - Charley Brighton has performed it beautifully and I wanted to share it. You can hear it at Mein Lieber Freund

New Brass Quintets with a Western Flair

Just released a suite of 3 Brass Quintets with a western flair - Movin' the Herd, Cowpoke Saturday night Hoodang and Roundup.

Can be heard and bought here

A new fun Tuba Solo

Have added a new Tuba solo with piano called "Travellin'". A short driving piece that could get you moving. Check it out here.

Shakespeare Heroines

With the success of Ophelia's Descent I have created some additional pieces for Oboe and Harp (or piano). Actually they work well also for Bassoon (an octave lower of course). They can be heard here.

Also just finished a new piece for Contrabass and Piano called "Contrasts". Different sections to show off the potential and versatility of the Contrabass.

Update

A new solo for Contrabass entitled Soliloquy Triste - requested by Allan Schenkel a professional soloist.  To be premiered soon.  Can be heard here www.joemusicroom.com/orchestralworks.html

 

Be well
Joe
www.joesmusicroom.com
"Music is an outburst of the soul" F. Delius

Willson Concertante

In March Charley Brighton premiered The Willson Concertante with Malcolm Stowell on piano. I wrote the Concertante to commemorate Charley's new relationship with Willson as a featured Euphonium Soloist. The live performance can be heard here.

I have also produced a version with Symphonic Winds accompaniment which Charley hopes to premier some time later in 2005. A computer generated version can be heard here. On this page both versions (piano and wind band) can be purchased.

Major performances

Charley Brighton will be performeing Summer Celebration with the Nonesuch strings on June 16th. This is a movement from Music of the Seasons for Euphonium and Strings.