Nightscape (J.R.) - "Three Improvised Waltzes"

[Nightscape]

These are three improvised waltzes.  They aren't strict waltzes, more of a quasi-waltz or pseudo-waltz if you will.  Sadly, I have no partner to waltz with, but please feel free to waltz as the spirit moves you.

-Waltz #1 0:00
-Waltz #2 2:42
-Waltz #3 5:40

[asyncopated]

I'll waltz with you, except I'd rather tango!

Just double the speed and and squeeze everything into 3/4 and you're on your way to ousting chopin!  Also you lied about the timing.

It's difficult to critique someone else's work. 

About the first waltz, I like the question-answer structure in the treble.  To me the bass sounds like a voice over, whereas the treble is on about some meloncholic story.  I also like it when the story broadens into nice fat chords (sounds like rachmaninov here 1:27). And at about 1:45 finally, an identifiable waltz.  Beautiful. I do also like the whole tone sound, and see the bass as the voice of reason or the raison d'etre  for the piece.

I think it's fantastic for an improvisation, so ignore the brutal bits if you don't like it -- it's really good as it is.
 
I think the theme in the left hand (bass) needs to be more identifiable (is there such a word?).  I think this is the biggest short-coming. 

The other comment has to do with motifs.  The harp like sounds and the fat chords and beautiful on their own.  But i there is insufficient reason for them to be there.  The structure of the composition is sound (sorry about the pun) , and i think that there could be clear purpose for these musical figures but at the moment, the sound that preceeds and follows does not give sufficent reason for them to be there. 
 
I've never composed or really improvised, so take my critique as that of an ignorant listener.  I'll write about your second piece later.

But like i say, beautiful.  You really made my day.

al.

[Derek]

Hey Nightscape, these are really lovely. I'll edit this post with my comments shortly...

These waltzes sound like Debussy's preludes fused with Chopin's waltzes! I really love the foreboding chords that start off the second waltz. Very nice. In the more silent passages, do you keep track of the 3/4 pulse in your head?

At 5:50 I found this passage somewhat Jarrett like, with sort of a Jazzy beat to it. I like this. Are you influenced by Jarrett, or indeed Jazz in general? 7:03 is nice, I liked how you hear the "toll" underneath and then the descending passages that sped up each time. I probably would have gone longer with that (not that you should have) and intensified it. 9:17 has a nice debussy sort of feel to it.

Sometime I'd like to discuss some harmonic tricks with you---you use many sounds I have not yet discovered that I think I'd like to use in my own playing.

Anyway great job on these waltzes. at 10:01 starts my favorite passage in all of them....I love things that rise and swell with emotion and climax. Very nice.

Does it just take a lot of practice to bring back improvised themes from earlier? I'm thinking this is the case---I do it sometimes but its kind of spotty so far.

[zemos]

I don't know where to start...
Listen, you have an enormous talent, there are less than one in a million of your kind.
I'll only add this: If you're not going to make composition professional, it'll be a huge loss for you and the entire world.