Appassionato for piano trio and string orchestra

[MMKA]

Today I finished a piece for piano trio and string orchestra, using VSL Solo violin 1, VSL Solo Cello 2,
the Concert D-274 and a combination of Synchron Strings and SYNCHRON-ized Dimension Strings.
I wish everybody a happy and peaceful 2020!

Appassionato for piano trio and string orchestra

[MMKA]

Last days I worked on the piece to approve the performance, especially of the solo violin, some balance things in the orchestra and some other minor stuff. After hours of working at the end the differences are not huge, but I think there are some refinements. Advice and suggestions are appreciated (on the forum or with PM). Thanks for listening.

Appassionata for pianotrio and string orchestra v2

[Paul McGraw]

Very nice sound! Well mixed and mastered. It is fine as is, but for my taste, I would decrease the reverb a little more. 

IMHO these are my reactions. I like the composition. Especially harmonically. Very characteristic sounding parts both for the piano and soloists. You obviously know this particular genre well. Excellent use of secondary dominants to spice things up and smooth out modulations. Why aren't people using secondary dominants much anymore? Lovely use of appoggiatura. 

IMHO I would try to use some triple or quadruple stops in the strings in the last few bars. The low to high rips would fit right in with your mood. This would build excitement. Of course for them to be playable it depends on your key.

Paul McGraw

[MMKA]

Hi Paul,

Thanks a lot for the time you took to listen to the Appassionato and your comments on the piece and your suggestions. I really appreciate it.
My reaction is some delayed, but I wanted to do some experiments with the suggestion you made with triple and quadruple stops in the last bars first. Yesterday and today I had some time to work on it. And here is the result.
I like the idea you gave! (I changed also the cello part of the first bars a little).

Appassionato for piano trio and string orchestra v3

[Paul McGraw]

@MMKA said:

Hi Paul,

Thanks a lot for the time you took to listen to the Appassionato and your comments on the piece and your suggestions. I really appreciate it.
My reaction is some delayed, but I wanted to do some experiments with the suggestion you made with triple and quadruple stops in the last bars first. Yesterday and today I had some time to work on it. And here is the result.
I like the idea you gave! (I changed also the cello part of the first bars a little).

[url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uPZ1CablKPOpwzGRfqscizmtADBfEqRy/view?usp=sharing]Appassionato for piano trio and string orchestra v3[/url]

I love the changes you made. Fantastic! Very exciting ending now.

Paul

[William]

MMKA, that is a beautiful piece, congratulations on that composition!  I can't  criticize the composition at all!  On the audio I thought the piano should be a lot clearer - it sounds somewhat muddy and covered up.  But the strings are  sounding very good in the mix.  

[MMKA]

Thanks, William, for your comments on the composition and the audio. Hopefully I have the opportunity in the coming days to have a look into the sound of the piano. I think, you have a point on this. 

[lunar_28664]

Several have commented on the harmony of this piece but what struck me was one one of the all too few examples of someone who can write an actually inspiring melody these days which made me smile and even tap my feet. Harmonically it seemed well done but within the normal conventions of classical/early romantic but modulated nicely at times as it progressed and above all, the music really kept moving!

I find it hard to decide whether it would have been better as a straight piano trio  -- on the one hand the accompanying orchestra is just a tiny bit kitschy but on the other, I'm sure some of the fun and fervour would be lost without it. I'd perhaps to see a bit more counterpoint between the solo strings as the work really calls for it but then again, there is also a sort of calling to and fro which is really cheerful.

I'm only really just starting to listen to the composition forum but this is certainly the piece I've enjoyed most so far.

[MMKA]

Thanks, David, for your nice words. Nice to hear that you enjoyed the music. For me it is really exploring the possibilities of the orchestra, and combinations with soloists.
In the past I heard often orchestra music in myself, but had no possibility to bring it to life because (as many others) I had (and have) no life orchestra at my disposal. And I'm not the hard-core composer that have the drive to just put the notes on paper without hearing them played. On the contrary: I need it very much to hear the notes, because in my thoughts especially harmonies, but sometimes also melodies, sound different than in reality, so it is writing, listening, changing, listening... and it is that what I like very much. (I have an education as a musician but not as a composer).
When I discovered VSL eight years ago, a new world of sounds was opened for me and I started to explore the possibilities of all kind of instruments and the symphony orchestra as a whole. And for me it is always a joy to write a note, and hear the doublebasses, or the oboe or what ever instrument playing that note instantly.

So, while perhaps highjacking my own thread: Herb and team, if you read this, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to bring our musical dreams to real sound and in that way to life!  

[lunar_28664]

I suspect we have a quite similar attitude to composing. Other than those who compose to commission, few can hope to get orchestral works played by a professional orchestra and of course we want to hear out own efforts played by the best possible practical substitute. I compose largely by ear and if what I write sounds OK with a virtual orchestra, then it should at the very least sound at least as good performed by a competent real one.