A quiet day...

Been taking a bit of a break today from focusing on school-related stuff. Worked a little bit this morning on a piano piece. Nothing too substantial, just fun. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Update on things

I have been extremely busy with school this past few weeks and have severely neglected my readers here on the blog. I've had a little bit of time to compose and have begun work, as I think I may have already mentioned, on a work inspired by a Native American myth I received as a handout in my World Religions course. I will not post this just yet - as I want to make it a surprise to everyone on its completion! The work, though, is amazing to say the least and I have labored intensely on it - in fact, I've probably spent more time on this work then any other large scale piece in the past few years!
I do have something I can share with my readers here. Two of my videos on YouTube have achieved important milestones for me! About a year ago, I composed a set of three bridal processionals for a friend. He was going to propose to one of my dearest friends - and asked me to pen the processionals for that day. Sadly, the relationship didn't even last 6 more months! So, I posted the three processionals on YouTube where they have been receiving ample views! One of them is up to 3,000 + views and the other has broken 1125 views. I consider this a milestone largely because there are MANY classical works on YouTube that have received far less than 1000 views - with a large majority under 500. That two of my works have received so many views is something I'm extremely happy with.
So, to celebrate this milestone I have uploaded 3 new videos to YouTube and plan to create and upload more of my work to the site. One of my works, for two pianos, is currently being rehearsed and will be recorded for YouTube. I already made the video for it - and now someone wants to play it! I'm so excited. As a treat for those who read this blog - and especially for those who view it regularly and have put up with my ramblings - I am including a link to my YouTube Channel and links to all three of the new videos! Happy Valentines Day!!!!

My YouTube Channel
Fire and Ice
Solemn Dance
Unnamed for Two Pianos

Work and Published!!!

Two things for today:

1. I'm aiming to get a substantial dent in this final movement of my Piano Quartet and am going to go back and work on the final draft of the first and second movements (considerably beef up the piano part, work out the string parts, etc.) The third movement so far is turning out really good - I'm very happy with what I have so far!

2, I have a poem published online now!!! Here is the link: Thanksgiving Poem! Also, you can view my contributor page here: Jason A Woodruff !!!!

Blah Day

Kind of been in a blah mood all day long. Had a good class this morning - which should've helped but it didn't. Going to work on my Piano Quartet this weekend. I showed the piano parts to a pianist friend of mine - he sight read them all easily, which gave me some relief over them! Going to pour over the string parts with a friend of mine on Sunday - just to cover the base with those. I might change of the few of the entrances in the fugue for the opener, not sure yet - will decide when we discuss it Sunday. Other than that, I got my paper done - and am thinking on how I will do the Powerpoint Presentation for it. Lots of ideas!

Final Movement

I started the third and final movement of my piano quartet yesterday evening. Tonight, I'm not going to work on it so I can let the ideas seep and gestate further in my head. I have to practice two pieces on the piano to record for a promised prize to the two composers of the works. I sponsored a beginner piano composition competition - the goal was to get some new pieces of beginner difficulty level for the piano. Since I was taking piano courses, I figured it'd be a nice way to practice as well as promote the work of other emerging/young composers. Once I have them polished up, I plan to post them on Youtube, Facebook, the forum, and this blog!

The third movement so far, is very energetic/chaotic. I call it my study in madness!

Working...

I've been taking a bit of a break from composition while letting my mind stew on a few ideas for the second movement. The first movement is largely done now with the exception of the articulations and perhaps beefing up the piano part. I'm not sure what I want to do yet for the 2nd movement - generally, I find slow movements to be easy to write. This one, on the other hand, has proven to be anything but. Stay posted! I will probably do a lot of the composition on Wendesday!!

FIRST DRAFT OF FIRST MOVEMENT COMPLETE!!!!!!

I'm so excited!!! I just completed the rough draft of my first movement of my Piano Quartet. Here are my notes from it:

The quartet uses three motives. The overall structure of this movement is a sonata-allegro, with brief coda. I figured I'd post this now to get comments before I show it to my teacher on Thursday. This is the work that I ended up losing 180 bars to a Finale crash! 

Structure:

Introduction:
Measures 1 - 14: Introduction: The introduction is quite tonal, I feel. I'm uncertain about it. It sounds like it fits - and it certainly introduces some of the material I use in the movement (albeit it in disguise.) 

Exposition: You'll notice that my exposition is rather short. I introduce both themes in what I consider to be a dramatic fashion. The first theme starts with a fugue like passage. The countersubjects here I really enjoy. 

Measures 15 - 32: Fugue. This is the first theme, presented in bars 15 - 16 of the viola. The countersubject immediately follows. I break with the fugal aspect of the idea around measure 26. 

Measures 33 - 82: This is the second theme. I wanted to go for something a lot more open for this idea - especially given the thickness of the fugal texture that preceded this. This theme, along with the first, will appear in the second and third movements - albeit it disguised. My manuscript of this section luckily had heavy notes. I'm probably only going to edit a few things here - as I'm quite happy with the overall quality of this section. A few things I will change, most likely, will be the addition of the articulations for the string trio. The third theme, which will appear prominently in the third and final movement, comes in at measure 43. I really like the theme itself. I might add a tad bit of harmony to the left hand in the piano - but, I'm not sure, I really like the nakedness of the motif.

Development:
Measures 83 - 148: The transitional passage at the end of the first theme is really the beginning of the development (starting at around measure 74.) For organizational reasons related to this thread, I decided to crop it up to 83 as the start of the development. In this section, I really go out there in terms of my usage of my three themes. Needless to say, I would call this part of the movement... pure madness (perhaps that gives you a little bit of how I felt today while writing this passage... ). That said, I don't think I will expand this. I am unsure of the final 4 - 8 bars of the development section. I'm not sure my transition there was as strong as I'd like it. I might delete what I have there and rewrite it tomorrow. 

Recapitulation:
Measure 149 - 217: Recapitulation. This recap is a verbatim recap. I'm not too happy with the first part of it after the transition back to it. What I plan to do to correct this is to instead of starting back with the viola... instead start with the violin in the upper register. The articulations for this and the exposition aren't entered yet - as I want to go through this part with a fine tooth comb to correct any playability issues with the string parts - as well as maybe beef the piano part up just a bit.

Codetta:
Measures 217 - Ending: This codetta is short and most likely will be expanded. I'm thinking of expanding the last 4 bars which constitute the ending of the piece. I might make a return back to the introductory material - just to ensure a bit more of a sense of closeness. I'm very picky of my openings.. perhaps I should be especially picky this work of the ending of the movements as well.

So, the above illustrates in depth my thoughts on the movement. Now, I'd like your thoughts. This piece has so far taken me about 3 weeks to write - and given that Finale crashed on me Sunday and I was left with only the introduction to this movement, I had to rewrite a lot of this from my notes, manuscript, and brain - needless to say, I almost gave up on this. But I think I have an amazing start to this piano quartet. I'm hoping I get some good reviews so far.

Piano Quartet

So, I've decided to work on a piano quartet for a competition. I have a few good ideas - two motives - and a good start. I am thinking this will be a massive work - not fully got the overall structure down. The work so far makes extensive use of fugal textures, something that I am strongly drawn to. I will post when finished.

Meditations I

After composing the second movement of my Piano Trio no. 3, I came to a personalized style of my serial style.  The result of the second movement, is a more personal and intimate usage.  Contemplative in nature and moved by my own personal whim.  I started a new piano work this evening and finished it.  I composed the work originally with the time signature of 37/1 and then switched to 2/4 - which is what I wanted the pieces tempo to be.  The result is quite an interesting work. Tell me what you think!


Meditations I

Piano Trio no. 3

So, in keeping with my focus to enter the Barlow Competition this year, I have started work on my 3rd Piano Trio.  This trio is a bit of a departure from my previous work in the genre.  The first piano trio was firmly rooted in tonality, the second trio was firmly rooted in serialism, this trio takes both and runs with it.  The material and inspiration comes from the events that have occurred to me in the past month.  Namely, the passing of my father.  The first and second movements are finished and can be found on the young composers music forum (links provided below). Leave comments please!

Piano Trio no. 3

End of Writers Block!!!

So, for the past week and a half, I have had a horrible writers block.  Largely due to not placing in any of the competitions I've entered and not being selected for any of the submission opportunities.  The writers block ended last night!  I've started work on a suite for piano, entitled Moments, I hope it goes well.  I'll post the finished product here!

Early Piano Trio

So, I was going over some of my older works and came across this piece I wrote about 2 years ago.  This was my first piano trio.  At the time, I was very much into romantic classicism - and I think that that comes through in this work.  This was a very personal work to me at the time as well.  Hope you guys enjoy!

Piano Trio no. 1

Set of 6 preludes

So, I had some problems the beginning of last week involving my laptop - had to purchase a brand new computer to use.  In the interim, I have been working on a set of 6 preludes for piano.  The purpose of these is to compose works utilizing ridiculously small restrictions.  The first is a prelude using only one note.  The second uses only 2, third uses only 3, fourth uses only 4, and so on.  The inspiration for this is Ligeti's Musica Ricercata.
Let me know what you think so far!

Prelude a 1
Prelude a 2
Prelude a 3 e 4

Piano Trio no. 2 is DONE!!!!!

Finally!  After three hectic day's of composition - and nearly driving my self crazy staring at the notation program - I finally have the entire Piano Trio finished.  I'm very proud of this work overall - my first large scale serial work!  Enjoy!!


Piano Trio no. 2

Piano Trio Nearly Complete

I've been working like crazy the past 3 days on this Piano Trio.  The First and Second movements are complete.  I feel, however, that the 3rd movement will be the crowning gem of this work.  The first two movements were mere warm ups to what I've done in the 3rd movement.  I don't know, this piece (much like my last trio) resonates deeply with me.  The emotive qualities are everywhere through out it.  In the final movement, which I have now 160 measures of, I even put my name in nomenclature - designing a row for it.  The personal nature of the three instruments assists in making this work personal to me in many ways.  I'll post the finished work here on the blog as well on young composers.

Piano Trio no. 2

Well, I've started work on a 3 movement piano trio that is my first major serial work. I've completed two movements and am currently working on the third and final movement. The piece utilizes 2 rows (and their various permutations.) Despite being serialistic music, I actually rather enjoy what I've created so far - it has a unique, ethereal quality to it. Enjoy the first two movements!

Piano Trio no. 2

New Piano Work

Well, my break didn't last long - SOOO, now, I get to break for two days while I travel to St. Louis - a sort of mini vacation. I did get some composition done and composed a very intense Piano work. I must say, this was sort of a treat for me - this piece. I got to get some good emotions out during it. Feel free to give it a listen.

Adagietto

Piano Concertante no. 2

The newest project finished is another Piano Concertante. I originally envisioned this as a concerto - but, I don't know. The ideas were good but well - perhaps I'm moving in a different direction than I originally intended as a composer. Instead, this has turned into another 1 movement concertante. The work is a little rough around the edges but all in all I'm happy with how it turned out. I've posted a link for any and all who would like to listen.

Forum Posting of Concertante!

Busy times... stylistic changes

I am very busy working on a large scale piano concerto. The work is so far extremely different than my last work in this genre - composed last fall. The work is rather serious in nature and the harmony and thematic material used are put to extensive development and use. The piece feels rather mature for my current style even - which makes it well suited for its intent.

Busy Times

It's been a good week now since my last post. It's been a very BUSY time. I received the recording from the pianist and was NOT enthused by it. So, I have 1 week left now to find a good quality pianist to record one of my pieces - so much is riding on it :(