Last Hope

[pianowolfi]

This is an improv from August 19, 2007. Within my improvs/compositions it's a bit like an erratic block, it just appeared that day like a message about something unknown from somewhere unknown. In my perception it's very processual. I choose the name thinking mainly of the very last part where a single Ab tries to sound as long as possible among aggressive staccato notes like it would try desperately to survive. It is dedicated to Zsuzsanna Eöry, a pianist friend of mine who listened to it first, back then.

[furtwaengler]

I've been trying to digest this serious piece, which has been tough to dwell on in this busy time. It seems almost trapped in darkness with its tragic disposition. It displays both the advantages and limitations of improvisation, which is a something to dwell on. I've found advantages occurring when the mind hits a certain meditative spot, a focus that tunes everything else out, a mental spot to which there is ample evidence from your output that you visit often. Special things occur at these spots. In Last Hope these are confined especially to the ostinato passages where the harmony takes on a natural freedom - You've got the vertical architecture down, but in the linear landscape we find some of the limitations of improvisation.  There are interesting motifs which appear and disappear, sometimes really in want of development which could not be fulfilled on the spot. I wonder what would be the result if you laid all of this out and sought a direction for some of the passing motifs in this piece, and developed them onto a structure dictated by the metric tension of the ostinato and the harmonic tension which is already in place...a single meaning, with a single point of arrival and release dictating the direction of every element?

(All of this comes out of not knowing how, or what to comment, but feeling an urge to comment...I think I would not often make such remarks in improv threads, but this grows out of your pieces potential as a composition)

As always, I'm thrilled with what your mind produces and happy that you share it with us. 

[pianowolfi]

Hi Furtwängler

thank you for your comments, as always they're well thought-out and very interesting! Yes of course this one is on my list of compositions, I've started working on it already, which will take quite a while. It is an important one, to me, for sure. I will post the result here as soon as I am done. But as said before, this might take a while.

[goldentone]

This is quite an improv, Wolfi.   I really like 4:45-5:10.  The chord at 4:47 is great, like a splendid splash of color and glory.  I also really like 8:58-9:30, a wonderful section.  It is a barren, gritty landscape that the music conveys.  "Last Hope" seems a bitter grappling, a calling-forth of the soul to battle.

[pianowolfi]

Yes, calling forth the soul. Where is it actually? Sometimes it seems I lost it somewhere, like it was spread over the world and I need to find all the little parts and collect them and put them together again.

[m19834]

Hi Wolfi, I am listening as I type.  I am not sure where I am since I am listening straight from the original post and haven't downloaded it yet (and as far as I can see, it doesn't show me where I am at in it).  Anyway, it's perhaps a little over half, and it came out of a dark region into some kind of light and hope, actually, but then back to a kind of uncertain "place" in terms of mood.  You know, you have a way with the dramatic aspects, and it just makes me think, where does this come from ?  I mean, where does it originate or spring forth from ?  It is just a bit of a wonder to me, and not something you have to answer directly to these questions here. 

But, I do enjoy your thoughts here and thank you for posting.... I love the ending; like last breaths !   

[pianowolfi]

Hi Karli, thank you for listening and commenting, it's an honour to me

You're asking a good question, and I even know a part of the answer, but I can probably only answer through accomplishing what I have begun

[slavyanka]

Hi,

I have listened to your piece. I am not much into contemporary music, and I wonder if you have any pieces available on the forum that are more tonal and traditional in form? I would be very curious to hear. Thanks.

[pianowolfi]

Hi,

I have listened to your piece. I am not much into contemporary music, and I wonder if you have any pieces available on the forum that are more tonal and traditional in form? I would be very curious to hear. Thanks.

Hi slavyanka, thank you for listening have a look here (though I don't know if you will consider these more traditional or tonal, you might give it a try)

Hope: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,24805.0.html
This one might be a contrast to "Last Hope"

Sympathy: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,22235.0.html

"Butterflies" and "Floating": https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,22475.0.html

"In the peace of the night": https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,25116.0.html

"Listening" : https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,26847.0.html

"Sunset suite" is also fairly tonal in my book: ("Floating" being the last part of it). youtube video:

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(though I must say, this interpretation is from 2 years ago and makes me *cringe* now )


Best wishes!