The Name Game Pro Tip:
  1. Didja accidentally blow through the whole, "We're using our real names" thing on registration? No problem, just send me (Mike) a Conversation message and I'll get you sorted, by which I mean hammered-into-obedient-line because I'm SO about having a lot of individuality-destroying, oppressive shit all over my forum.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. You're only as good as the harshest criticism you're willing to hear.
    Dismiss Notice

Crazy Fugue'n Piece

Discussion in 'Critique & Feedback' started by Steve Chandler, Feb 24, 2019.

  1. #1 Steve Chandler, Feb 24, 2019
    Hi All,

    New member here. I thought I'd introduce myself with some of my music. This piece is harmonically adventurous and for the most part fun.



    It took several tries at writing this piece to get something that was successful. The first try was almost atonal and as such didn't really go anywhere. When the harmony is always killing the tonal center then the feeling becomes one of not being anywhere. That can be okay for some music, but fugue structure kinda means going somewhere and tonality is implied by definition. I've composed other fugues, but this one taught me something. As a point of interest I had gotten to the cadence at the bottom of page three (1:55) and was a bit stuck. Turning on the news I hear about the terror attack in Paris (November 2015) and that gave me a direction to go in. At 3:09 I was done feeling terrified and wanted to wrap up the piece in a grand way. I hope you enjoy this piece, comments welcome, although I won't be rewriting this one.

    Steve
     
    Rohann van Rensburg likes this.
  2. #2 Doug Gibson, Feb 25, 2019
    Welcome !

    Nice to hear your fugue, and wonderful selection for your first post. Perhaps this will inspire more fugue writing around here.

    I hear you. Been there.

    The only comment, or suggestion in that case I have would be:

    You might consider orchestrating/transcription for other instruments.

    Two reasons for this.
    1) Just practically speaking it would widen the scope of who could perform the work (assuming that is a goal).
    2.) The color of various instruments would also bring out the independence of the lines, and also get you closer to the description you gave about it

    I might be off on the last point, as I would have no idea about your goals for the work. Simply put, it does not sound "crazy" at all.
    While I get that the piece is not programatic, and you are only sharing the back-drop for your inspiration, I think orchestrating the work would
    convey a strong sense of "crazy" and perhaps mournful character as you see fit.

    Of course this is also an issue of interpretation. Concert pianist would actually imagine as they play being the entire orchestra. Thus they employ all kinds of fingering to shape the phrase, and give contrast, which is really hard to render with samples.

    That said, the "heyday" fugal writing stems from the pipe organ. Then you really hear timbre shaping the line.

    Thanks for the post. Below are a few pieces you might find interesting.

    Best wishes

    Fugue begins at 7:50






    Fugue begins at 3:45 (this one is pretty wild !)

     
  3. #3 Steve Chandler, Feb 25, 2019
    Hi Doug,

    Thank you for the kind words. I have a number of pieces I'd like to orchestrate. Back in the 1980s I wrote sonatas for synthesizers, most of which were pretty orchestral in conception (and one of which I've already orchestrated two of three movements). It's a matter of finding the time to do it. I'm currently in the midst of writing a musical and learning all the new tools of the sample production trade. I'm also learning that buying something because it's on sale isn't necessarily a bargain.

    I tried listening to these fugues you've posted and for whatever reason could only listen to the Scriabin e minor fugue. Nice piece, I would never have considered Scriabin to be a fugue writer. Go figure!

    Thanks again,

    Steve
     
    Rohann van Rensburg likes this.
  4. #4 Rohann van Rensburg, Mar 4, 2019
    Oof, isn't that the truth. Users here seem to be fairly objective and about function, so it's a good place if you're looking for tips on sample libraries.
     
    Paul T McGraw and Martin Hoffmann like this.
  5. #5 Steve Chandler, Mar 21, 2019
    Okay, just returned and could listen to the other fugues. The Taneyev was indeed wild! It's even wilder than the fugue that culminates the Barber Piano Sonata (which is still a very cool piece). Here's a link to a nice performance.
     
  6. #6 Doug Gibson, Mar 22, 2019
    Yeup......know the piece.

    This is wonderful fugue from D.S. If you don't know his preludes and fugues I am sure you will find something of interest in there too.

     
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page