Waltz in b minor (own composition)

[ralphb]

Hi guys,

I'm a professional composer (studied with Wolfgang Rihm in Karlsruhe) and usually write music not in a strictly tonal idiom. But sometimes I have the desire for writing something tonal just for fun. The last "serious" piece I wrote is a Waltz for piano in b minor, quite long and virtuoso. I began practicing it and then I got a problem with tenosynovitis so that I couldn't practice anymore. The recording I have is thus not perfectly rehearsed yet, missing concinnity and fluency. Also, there are some passages I have reworked (e.g. p. 13) after the recording.

Score: https://www.dgsp-rheinland-pfalz.de/walzer.pdf
MP3: https://www.dgsp-rheinland-pfalz.de/Walzer.mp3

P.S.: There are some poor cuts in the recording, I hope you don't mind...  0:)

Cheers

Ralph

[pianoman53]

Finally! This is how an original composition should sound like! Congratulations!

[ralphb]

Thank you!!

[furtwaengler]

I love this waltz in which I see clearly the originality of your own voice, but not separated from the Austro-German history of the waltz from J. Strauss to R. Strauss (and the general tonal quality of the turn of the 20th century), and not without some of the Liszt Mephisto type pyrotechnics. It boasts a complexity which I imagine would be as satisfying to the performer as it is enjoyable to the audience. Great, great piece! Thanks for sharing with us.

(Not to mention your virtuosity as a pianist!)

[ralphb]

Thank you, furtwaengler! I'm glad you mentioned my favorite composer (R. Strauss)! 

[pianoguy711]

This is really well done.  your talents as a composer and pianist shine through.  I really like the section at measure 246, great counterpoint.  Thank you for sharing, your work is great!  And what composition software do you use?

[ralphb]

Thank you, piano guy – concerning the software: I use Finale 2014.

[ralphb]

Now also on youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7iZIr3cF1vY&feature=youtu.be

[toughbo]

This is really great stuff, Ralph! Both the composition and the playing is wonderful
Keep going at it!

[stoat_king]

Loved it. Will be adding to one of my playlists to listen to at work.
I particularly like like the bits where the spikiness seems to dies down a little to reveal an underlying structure that hints at resolution, only to dissolve again.
Like the thoughts that knock once on the doors of perception and flee.
Theres a phrase for this, although I cant think of it. "Presque vu" maybe?

[ralphb]

Thank you, guys. I'm happy you liked it!