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  • Aves Orientalis, Movement II (Wind Quintet)

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    Inspired by the Oriental cranes I saw on my walks in Korea, I composed Aves Orientalis for wind quintet. At the university where I taught, a collection of these majestic creatures lived caged in an aviary. They seemed so demure when I would walk past them, which led me to wonder how they behaved when no human was near. In this, the second movement of Aves Orientalis, I finally answer that question. I imagine a ballet taking place by lamplight. The painting in this video was created by Virginia Lloyd-Davies. Visit her website www.joyfulbrush.com to see more of her beautiful work. The photo is from Google Image Search.

    Instruments: VSL SE+

    Link to Piece on YouTube


  • A beautiful piece, with a very open breath.

    May I suggest you to notate the Basson part as dotted crotchets and quavers, instead of semiquavers intercalated by rests?

    Paolo


  • Thank you, Paolo, for your compliment and suggestion. I had thought of notating the piece in the way you suggested. It would have made the bassoon part more "legible." However, in the end, I decided to write the rhythm literally, as whenever I don't, I get something other than what I desire from musicians (even when it seems there is no room for misinterpretation, and my intentions are perfectly clear). However, you make a very sensible suggestion, and I am half persuaded that I should have done that. :) Perhaps I should write it the way you suggest, and then in an ossia passage, show literally how I mean it to be played.

    Best wishes,

    August


  • August, maybe writing "staccatissimo", or the equivalent in other languages, could get out any ambiguity from the instructions?

    A looser staccato at the Bassoon would indeed subtract from the airy lightness of the piece.

    Paolo


  • Hi August,

    This is the first work I hear from you and as a starter, it is a pleasant surprise. Nice to have the score to follow. It is a beautiful piece indeed, with each instrument having its own character in the texture. 

    As to legibility for musicians (I'm a very lousy reader myself), it could be a lot simpler with more staccato markings and a little explanation from your side (a sort of performance guideline).

    Thanks for sharing,

    Jos


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    @PaoloT said:

    August, maybe writing "staccatissimo", or the equivalent in other languages, could get out any ambiguity from the instructions?

    A looser staccato at the Bassoon would indeed subtract from the airy lightness of the piece.

    Paolo

    Hi Paolo,

    I think your advise is sound and worth considering. I agree that a looser staccato would detract. 

    For a recent commission, I wrote a rhythm that I could have noted like this, but chose the easier approach you describe. One of the musicians interpreted the rhythm, which had clear staccato marks on it, in an almost smooth, legato line with minor breaks between the notes. It was most unexpected. However, perhaps by writing "staccatissimo" in the score, the problem could have been avoided.

     

    Best wishes,

     

    August


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    @Jos Wylin said:

    Hi August,

    This is the first work I hear from you and as a starter, it is a pleasant surprise. Nice to have the score to follow. It is a beautiful piece indeed, with each instrument having its own character in the texture. 

    As to legibility for musicians (I'm a very lousy reader myself), it could be a lot simpler with more staccato markings and a little explanation from your side (a sort of performance guideline).

    Thanks for sharing,

    Jos

    Hi Jos,

    Thank you for listening to the piece and taking the time to comment on it. I'm glad that it resonates with you. I agree with both you and Paolo that the notation is not user-friendly. Ah, the balance between writing exactly what you want and writing what is easy to read!

    Best wishes,

    August


  • Back to the forum in weeks, this is the first piece I listened to.
    What a welcome!
    Bravo Mr. Champlin.


    VI Special Edition 1-3, Reaper, MuseScore 3, Notion 3 (collecting dust), vst flotsam and jetsam
  • PaulP Paul moved this topic from Orchestration & Composition on