"Interesting concept. I think that the piece is repetitious, but that's a matter of taste.
I would go easy on the piano forte contrast and choose a different melodic contrast an exposition that will loosen the tension a little and then bring it…"
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Graeme Helliwell's Discussions
Life - a piece for piano
Started this discussion. Last reply by Saul Dzorelashvili 14 hours ago. 6 Replies 0 Likes
This piece originates as a suite of works I've been creating based on the poems of my late grandmother. The original poems were never published (to be honest, some were just awful) but I used them as…Continue
Symphony No.1 - Timanfaya
Started this discussion. Last reply by Graeme Helliwell Nov 22. 9 Replies 0 Likes
I started writing this work back in February without ever expecting a complete symphony. Like the island itself, the music just grew and grew.At just over 40 minutes long, I don't expect many of our…Continue
The Liquid Lunch - an early piece from last year.
Started this discussion. Last reply by Bob Morabito Aug 26. 1 Reply 1 Like
Finally built up the courage to post an early composition. Thought my first foray into presenting some tunes should start lightly, so I offer you all a 'Liquid Lunch' on me.Quintessentially British…Continue
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Graeme Helliwell replied to Graeme Helliwell's discussion Life - a piece for piano"Thanks Tim. Feel free to add one if you feel the urge. (p.m. me if you want a Finale file.) Just make sure you put it on the thread if it happens. I'm intrigued. "
"I enjoyed the listen Graeme. This modally pretty level. I'm not sure if "modally" is a word but I think you get my jist. I think this proves something doesn't need to be complicated to be good. I could hear an imaginary jazz sax…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Graeme Helliwell's discussion Life - a piece for piano"Very kind words Gav and Darlene. Thank you.
As I wrote it, I kept trying to add variations to the bass line, but nothing worked. It just had to keep going.
I think I was listening to a lot of Philip Glass at the time. Probably had an influence."
Gav Brown replied to Graeme Helliwell's discussion Life - a piece for piano"Hi Graeme,
I like this very much. Your ostinato is fetching and is of interest throughout the whole piece. Varying the volume as you did was a good way to bring contrast to it, and is what made it work. The piece has a feeling of coming from an…"
Darlene Hunt replied to Graeme Helliwell's discussion Life - a piece for piano"I don't know why for sure, but I kind of like this. I don't really feel qualified to say much. I also like to write repeating little melodies. I hope someone has better ideas for you."
Graeme Helliwell posted a discussionLife - a piece for piano
This piece originates as a suite of works I've been creating based on the poems of my late grandmother. The original poems were never published (to be honest, some were just awful) but I used them as a basis for a musical exploration.'Life', written in the jolly key of Eb minor (every note's a flat) reflects an angst journey through an unfulfilled life. The bass ostinato repeats throughout, just as a heartbeat continues day in, day out until the end. The treble line defines the little…See More
Graeme Helliwell replied to Gav Brown's discussion Flower for String Quartet"'A' is quite a high key to sing in depending on the intented voice. Ab to G does work for more people. I recently transposed an intended audition piece from A to G for that very reason. Sounds so much less vocaly strained.
Clementi was an…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Bob Morabito's discussion MuseScore 3.0 beta released"I still use it for some of its written attributes. I think it can set some systems out really well, especially choral parts.
Not tried v3 but the sounds were never a draw to me except in the early days. The availability of inspiration through the…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Daniel Perrea's discussion The Cherry Orchard Suite"How lucky you are to have a group of real people to play your work.
Really enjoyed this work this morning. Blended well together and, although I know nothing of the subject matter, I didn't feel left out of the piece in its own right.
In terms…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Christophe Heroufosse's discussion Yearning"This hit the spot for my lunchtime stroll today. Very well put together. I often feel the viola is a much misunderstood instrument. It's not easy to write for and is frequently forgotten in the list of instruments that can be allowed a…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Hayden McGowan's discussion A new work for mixed ensemble - "Winter". Comments/criticism"Interesting piece Hayden. I normally have a preference for more 'conventional' pieces but found your work to absolutely conjure up the mood of a miserable winters day. One of those days where it's just too cold and wet that you just…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Timothy Smith's discussion Notion 6"Bob, et all.
I frequently read of the frustrations of playback from notation programs in terms of accidentals, dynamics and texture. This is balanced with a lot of recommendations to use DAW packages. Unless I'm missing something, I…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to artur bayramgalin's discussion How does November sound?"Artur
I enjoyed the ambient feel of this piece, certainly captured a reflective period of time, For you it might be November, for me a walk on the beach, for others it could be anything they need.
I was distracted by the video (which was very well…"
Graeme Helliwell replied to Graeme Helliwell's discussion Symphony No.1 - Timanfaya"Kjell
I have no idea how the second movement dropped off the playlist. Well spotted and thanks for pointing it out. It's such a contrasting movement as well that it definitely needs to be put into the context of the work.
Thanks for the…"
Kjell Prytz replied to Graeme Helliwell's discussion Symphony No.1 - Timanfaya"I have listened to first part (12:20), mvmt II is missing or included here?
Nice work, atmospheric, moving. I think you managed very well to depict the desired scenes. Images appear all the time in my mind.
Thank you Graeme
Kjell"
Profile Information
- What have you composed for? Or what medium do you work around?
- Choir, Orchestra, Small Ensemble
- What is your favorite genre or style of music?
- Classical, contemporary folk
- Is music your main income source?
- No - Not Yet
- Where do you live?
- Northumberland - UK
- About Me (Must include at least one paragraph of biographical information about you as a composer) - blank or minimal answers on this line will cause your request to be rejected. Include a link to your website if you have one.
- I have been performing for many years, on and off, in both classical/choral settings and the folk circuit.
In the last year, I realised it was the right tie to put some of my own ideas to paper/audio and began the unexpected journey that I'm now on.
Feeling no firm commitment to a style or format, ensemble or solo, my early works have embraced a range of musical snippets which have wetted my appetite for more.
I'm here, on this forum, to share, learn and enhance my own work, whilst offering ideas and encouragement to others.
Comment Wall (1 comment)
- At 8:31am on July 15, 2018, Gav Brown said…
Welcome Graeme!
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