Venus - for piano (5'15")

[gregrorio j]

Hi Gang. This is my latest.  

Your feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks for listening.

https://soundcloud.com/gregoriox88/venus-fugue-f2

 

 

[HS Teoh]

Hooray, another Gx fugue!

This one seems calmer and contemplative than your previous modern-style fugues. The subject was a bit hard to recognize at first, but I started picking it up after listening to it in a loop.  For whatever reason this fugue doesn't stand out as much as the others of yours that I've listened to. Maybe I just need time to get more into it?  But I feel like the others have more distinctive "personalities" than this one somehow, whereas this one just sounds like Average Generic Gx Fugue.

Still, it's interesting to listen to. Thanks for sharing!

[gregrorio j]

Thanks, HS! 

Your thoughts on this are interesting to me.  Of course, as I was  writing it - it seemed like I was bringing elements in that were not used  in other fugues - which enhanced a certainly 'personality' - but it didn't hit you that way.  I hadn't listened to my other fugues for some time, but decided to - to understand better what you are getting at. Still not sure... (or what I would do differently in the treatment of this theme).   Thanks so much for offering your impressions!

[Ivor]

An interesting and enjoyable work. It offered several impressions although I’m not listening to it as a fugue as HS Teoh writes above. At moments it was sensuous, at others seemed a struggle between polarities; sometimes abrasive, sometimes tranquil. So if it was constructed to formulaic rules it had enjoyable episodes indeed merely to listen to.

I had difficulty relating it to Venus as I’m working on a similar thing inspired by mystical Venus in her various roles. There was one passage that really caught my ear – if you’ll pardon me regarding it as sensuous; voluptuous perhaps, between about 2’10” and 3’00.

Brilliant craft then – but not something I’d like to try to play!

[gregrorio j]

Hi Ivor. (I just wrote a long reply, but it got deleted)... Thank you for offering you thoughts on this! Coincidental that you are using the Venus archetype as well! With regard to the 'formulaic' - my approach is very open or expanded. Mostly, I use the shape of the subject as raw material - which can be expanded (widened), contracted, inverted, and cut up in a multitude of ways.  Smae can be applied to the rhythm of the subject. And other things can be brought into the mix to serve what the music needs. (for example, one cardinal rule of fugue is that the first entrance of the subject must be unaccompanied. Well, this one needed a few harmonic clouds to cradle the first entrance, but then drifts away. I actually prefer that you weren't listening to it as a fugue, because my hope is that it comes across 'painterly'.

Im glad that it came off as sensuous, as that indeed was the allure (and if it was voluptuous in places, then it is working!!)

Thanks so much for listening!

[David]

I also didn't listen to this as a fugue as I have little or no interest in fugues but in what music can express. And in this respect, I thought this work was rather successful -- both highly integrated and often atmospheric with varying moods.

Incidentally, I just listened to "Dear Sophie". I didn't realise you also had a romantic side and that work is really gorgeous.

 

[gregrorio j]

Hi David. Thanks for lending your ear!   (I didn't put 'fugue' in the title purposely, but forgot the link had that word:) 

I appreciate your reflections - as they confirm my intention.

Thanks for your curiosity and giving 'Dear Sophie' a whirl!   This one was first written for my daughter to play on piano,  but then I wanted to make it for small ensemble, and then extend it - . Yes, a romantic side, which still affects my writing, I think.  I grew up loving and playing a lot of Chopin - definitely an early favorite!