This seems like a great forum to discuss composition techniques so I wonder if I can raise a discussion on composing for a small number of instruments.
What do you think are the advantages and limitations of writing for small groups? How best can you express your musical ideas and harmony?
I am interested specifically in composition for trio as I am working on a trio piece at the moment, and I am intrigued by the unique setting provided by three instruments.
Does anybody have any suggestions of trio pieces that I could study?
Replies
Hello all,
So one last development: you can view the film with the piece here: https://composersforum.ning.com/video/weapons-by-luci-holland-at-red...
I hope you like!
Best,
Luci
Thanks for posting the final product! Unfortunately, this film and music felt mismatched to me. The music is great. The film? Not so much... On it's own, I'm not sure what the film was trying to convey, or what kind of music could help that along. What is the final purpose for the film?
It's quite hard to describe the film - but it's certainly not trying to convey a 'story' in conventional terms. It is more of an art documentary film, I guess. I believe the film was made as part of a set (there were several others at the performance) for the Red Note Ensemble, but it could be an older one brought out for the event.
I understand that the film isn't obvious in its intention immediately. This is actually something I struggled with when writing the score - as there is not much movement in the pulse of the film, it was difficult to find its beat and what way to go with the music, what to bring out. In the end though I felt that the film was conveying an energy and a life in itself. I decided to focus on enhancing the atmosphere, and I felt something nostalgic and human in the film, so I tried to bring that out.
I had composed several (very different) scores for it before I settled on Blade. With each of the prior scores I felt I was missing something. With the writing in Blade, I felt I touched on the gentle observation in the film.
Anyway, thanks for watching and commenting!
"Nostalgic" and "human" are things Blade reflects, for sure, so I'd say you've done a great job reaching your objective.
Thank you Janet! And thank you for all your input.
Janet Spangenberg said:
Quite superb ............. I enjoyed the music much more than the film. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Luci,
Any chance of uploading the final score - it would be interesting / instructive to see how it has changed from the version that you uploaded before, assuming that you made changes after you had the rehearsal with live musicians?
Charles
Thank you Christopher for listening, I'm pleased you enjoyed it!
Christopher Mracna said:
Hi Charles,
No problem to upload the performed score, it's attached here. As I mentioned earlier there were some slight changes pencilled in for performance, mainly the harmonic notations in the strings, and the harmonic work-arounds in the cor, these changes aren't on this copy.
Cheers,
L
Charles E Gaskell said:
4. Weapons - Luci Holland.pdf
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