Cello Sonata in Fminor

[SpyrusTheVirus]

This is my first piece for cello,which I think is in sonata form...if not please say it!:P
My transisions need some work,but consider this a draft plan-I'd happily listen to some suggestions from all of you.I also wanted to add a piano accompaniament,but I found it really hard,so it's just solo cello.I attach both the mp3 file and the pdf score

[Deborah Young]

Hi Spyrus:

I liked this, mostly. There was, however, a part in the first third where you played a descending scale (Ab, I think). For some reason it reminded me of the Do-Re-Mi song. Just a caution to pay attention to melody and try to include some surprises and avoid the common (musically trite). Just my take. The piece sounded very Baroque, simple but ornate by its own standards.

Yes, accompaniments can be difficult to write (I found that out recently when trying to do instrumentation for a rather meandering piano piece. You should give it a go. Here are some suggestions for ways to approach the piano accompaniment:

1) Write all block chords under the cello solo, then listen for where you can do something rythmically different.

2) Let the piano harmonize with the cello, then go back and listen for places where the piano can break out of the strict harmony.

3) Repeat key phrases of the cello solo on the piano.

4) OK, this rather transcendental approach works for me: Close your eyes and listen to the piece until you hear an accompaniment.

I wish you the best.

Deborah

[Gijs van Beusekom]

I likd te piece too, Though it felt a bit thin, especially in the beginning. After the second repeat of the main theme the cello sounds as though there are two cello's. This works really good. You keep this up thoughout the rest of the piece. I must say I was quite impressed by the way you made it almost polyphonal. I think the piece would really benefit from a carefully choosen accompagnement. Maybe not even a piano accompagnement. I think this could work really well as as string quartet. Perhaps you can repeat fragments in the other instruments, like Beethoven did in his late string quartets. Well, I think this piece has a lot of potential and I like it as it is. But, agian, an accompagnement could make it great.

[Mike]

Sonata Form

The sonata form is probably one of the most common forms in classical and romantic music. This form is commonly used in the first movement of sonatas, string quartets, symphonies and even concerts. It has three main sections:

1. Exposition
2. Development
3. Recapitulation

The Exposition

The themes to be used in the sonata are presented in the exposition. It generally has two sections, the first section in the main key and the second section in the key of the dominant - or in case of minor keys - in the relative major or dominant key. Each section can have one or more themes. The themes may be similar or contrasting. The exposition can begin with an introduction.

The first and second section are connected using a transition. This transition modulates to the new key. Composers as early as Mozart and Beethoven sometimes experimented with other keys for the second section.

The exposition ends with a codetta.
The Development

In the development section, the composer develops the themes presented in the exposition.
Recapitulation

The recapitulation is a varied repetition of the exposition. The most important difference is that the second section is now in the main key. The composer can add, remove or develop sections and make variations in the texture and orchestration in the case of orchestral works.

The movement ends with a coda that sometimes becomes a second development.
The following animation illustrates the sonata form:
http://www.teoria.com/aprendizaje/formas/flash/sonata01.swf

that is from http://www.teoria.com/tutorials/forms/sonata/index.html
a good webpage with lots of great info on it.


I cant wait to here this when you flesh out the sounds a bit and add some support like with a piano or something.

[SpyrusTheVirus]

to be honest,I didn't think of this piece with a string accompaniment.But It isn't a but idea either...But I can't think of it right now... when I get back from my vacation I'll work on it...thanks for your comment!