Listen to my very first piano composition that I composed!

[chopin2256]

Hi everyone,

I posted my very first "major work" piano solo composition that I ever composed, and its on my website.  I'd like to know your feedback.  I composed more than this piece, but I have to record the others yet and put them online still.

The link to my piece is here:

https://www.recordhall.com/piano-music.html

[llhyperdude]

I listened to your Ballade No. 1 and to me it was very impressive. Musically impressive and the recording sounded professional (which you are). Please notify us when you post more of your work. I'm really interested in hearing more.

[julie391]

sounds very impressive and well put together so far! , i am going to listen further to give a better judgement

the most notable feature - is the overwhelmingly feeling of perpetual motion - there is no respite from the action

[jazzyprof]

What a beautiful piece!  Even though you say on your website that it is  very "elementary" it sounds like a virtuoso piece.  I take it you're not actually playing the piece but that the "digital player piano" (midi) is?  Anyway, bravo!

[Daniel_piano]

Hi everyone,

I posted my very first "major work" piano solo composition that I ever composed, and its on my website.  I'd like to know your feedback.  I composed more than this piece, but I have to record the others yet and put them online still.

The link to my piece is here:

https://www.recordhall.com/piano-music.html

I think this piece of yours is wonderful, so much pathos...
I think your pieces will become even more interesting (to listeners) after listening to your other pieces because originality is found on the fact that as different in style your pieces may be they will always have that particular unique character resulting from the person you're, what you have experinced and your vision of the world
That's what I love more about music, the fact that you can always recognize the style of whatever composer (famous or not) even if one piece is romantic and the other is impressionistic, and I love each time finding those unique unrepeatable sound characteristics
For instance despite many soundtracks are similar I always recognize the composers beceause no matter how what but your music will always be the result of all you've listened in your life but expressed to your brain re-elaboration of the sound data
Why I'm saying all of this? Just to point out that "you must find your voice" is a ridicolous statement because even when imitating other composers style you can't help but being original since there not anyone else like you and the way you process the musical data and the emotions you have collected through your life is unique since your lifetime and your experiences are unique and no other piece will sound like yours despite them being similar in style
Don't buy that idiocy that you can be original only by using strange devices and always changing style, the best way to be original is to be yourself in whatever style you compose

I think you should try to send your pieces to MasterPrize Contest that would be a way to win a prize (hopefull) or at least to have someone know you and your compositions

I look forward to hear other pieces from you
Congrats

Daniel

[Motrax]

What program did you use to make the recording (assuming you didn't actually sit down at a piano and record this yourself). I'm pretty interested in finding programs wtih realistic-sounding playbacks.

That was a dumb question, I didn't remember your screen name so I didn't know it was you. Sorry! (And thanks Julie for pointing that out.)

(And good job, too!)

[donjuan]

What program did you use to make the recording (assuming you didn't actually sit down at a piano and record this yourself). I'm pretty interested in finding programs wtih realistic-sounding playbacks.

(And good job, too!)

I second the question!
Bravo chopin2256, my hat is off!
donjuan

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Very, very nice.

It's obvious that there is a Chopin influence in your music. VERY nice....


Ludwig Van Rachabji

[Spatula]

VERY WELL DONE! My hats off to you KUDOS!

The sounds of the weaving melodies as I'm currently listening to your composition and typing allow me to totally flow these words with sincerity.  There is a very strong pulling effect your piece brings out.  It is rhymatically stable and contrasts the chords and triads in an effective manner.  The right hand sings the melody very well and articulates the major motifs in the Ballade. 

There is a nice segue-way at about 3:45 and how it builds down and up again.  Again a well thought out piece even if it was written entirely by hand.  Please do post more of your works, and even some sheet music to accompany them if you do so desire to share your very well executed works.

[Spatula]

I've also noticed the recording is at 80 k/sec.  Is there any way to increase that to improve the sound quality.  It does sound a little muddled at times, but I'm sure that's entirely attributed to the recording, not your playing.

[julie391]

Very, very nice.

It's obvious that there is a Chopin influence in your music. VERY nice....


Ludwig Van Rachabji

lol, that was obvious before listening, his nickname...and the fact he has composed 3 ballades and 3 scherzi...lol

[julie391]

What program did you use to make the recording (assuming you didn't actually sit down at a piano and record this yourself). I'm pretty interested in finding programs wtih realistic-sounding playbacks.

(And good job, too!)

this appears to be his specialised business

taking midis and using some technology to make his bosendorfer play it, great idea i say!

[donjuan]

you should get the sheetmusic patented and published- and then you will make money when I go out and buy it..

[zemos]

very impressive. but not enough musical ideas, it all sounds like lots of theme developments without themes... in other words-
to many things aroung nothing
think about it...
(btw, it's all being said in a positive way- i couldn't write anything even close to that, applause!)

[Daniel_piano]

very impressive. but not enough musical ideas, it all sounds like lots of theme developments without themes... in other words-
to many things aroung nothing
think about it...

I don't think this a bad thing at all
Since music is subjective there are also a lot of people that subjectively like a lot thing kind of themes without development, colomns without the construction
If he did that on purpuse to achieve a particular sound style that I like it a lot then the fact that there a lot of theme without many development is a strong point not a weak one
It's like a minimalistic purpetual movement and it's going to create introspective mental images compared to something more ample in its development
So, if the author wanted it to be an introspective piece, then he obtained this very well by avoiding to much content and developments

Now, if music were supposed to "always" develop in something we wouldn't have never heard ot Satie and Brahms and this would've been a huge loss for the musical world

Daniel

[chopin2256]

I put my second piece up at my website.  Please post your comments on that piece as well.  Thank you all for your comments on my first Ballade.

I had to reduce the quality of the mp3's because I don't want to run out of bandwidth.  But I think you should still be able to make out the piece.

https://www.recordhall.com/piano-music.html

[julie391]

this is a bit confusing, why 2 topics?

[Shagdac]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your compositions as well. Very impressive. You certainly have a talent. Thanks so much for sharing with us, hope to hear more soon.

Shagdac

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Would you mind showing us the sheet music?

[mound]

very impressive. but not enough musical ideas, it all sounds like lots of theme developments without themes... in other words-
to many things aroung nothing
think about it...
(btw, it's all being said in a positive way- i couldn't write anything even close to that, applause!)

Hi! First, congradulations on doing this. I aspire to be a good composer one day.. I am interested in your methods..

I agree with what was said above though, I found myself dis-engaged from both pieces after about halfway through..  I think the question has been asked, but I'm not sure you answered it (or perhaps I missed it) - this a MIDI performance right? Sounds pretty damn good for a MIDI performance, but perhaps my disengagement is due to a lack of dynamic? It's subtle, again, I'm really interested in your methods..

Anyway.. compositionally, I dunno, I'm not schooled in composition, so I can't speak to it academically, but what zemos said kinda expressed with I was thinking about it. Very virtuosic but there's just something missing..

Sorry to be vague, impressive nonetheless!

-Paul

[zemos]

it's an Mp3 file, not midi (you can downlowd it into your computer by pressing right click on the link, choosing "save target as").
may i ask, is that you performing there? if so, you're really good!! it sure is an virtuoso piece...

[mound]

it's an Mp3 file, not midi (you can downlowd it into your computer by pressing right click on the link, choosing "save target as").
may i ask, is that you performing there? if so, you're really good!! it sure is an virtuoso piece...

Yes, clearly it is an MP3 file..  The performance was generated by MIDI is what I was assuming. Generated by MIDI, recorded as audio and converted to MP3.

There are some nice sound-fonts available these days for the sounds, I wonder how he gets as much expression and "humanism" into the MIDI performance.

[Piazzo22]

Too much scales and arpeggios. It could be a nice technique excercise. But nothing more...

[chopin2256]

very impressive. but not enough musical ideas, it all sounds like lots of theme developments without themes

For ballade 1:  Theres no theme?  Note that I am not in any way trying to be defensive.  I remind the listener many times throughout the piece what the theme is...Themes at times:

2:10, (climax theme 3:30) slower theme 3:35, (repeat climax theme word for word 6:30) repeat slower theme variation 6:35.  None of these are theme developments.

But yes you are right, there are theme developments that forshadow my main theme, particulary the introduction (first 2 minutes)  So if theres not enough musical ideas, perhaps you are referring to the piece not really changing up too much.  I definitly agree with you in that aspect.  The piece is very uniform, and thats why I consider it elementary.

Too much scales and arpeggios. It could be a nice technique excercise. But nothing more...

Thats ok, like I stated before, my music is not for everyone.  (However none of my arpeggios go up the scale at all, as that would be boring and a waste of sheet music)  But since I am a fan of arpeggios, I incorporate them into my music somehow.  Its just my technique.  But my scherzos don't contain as many.  In fact the one I am working on right now, has none whatsoever.

Does anyone else have anything to say about my pieces, lots of you are downloading, but very little constructive criticism for Ballade #2.

[Daniel_piano]

I find the criticisms to your piece so far very dishonest
They are like "since I don't like, it is wrong"
But okay, the piece has few themes and lot of development and its much arpeggios
But from when having lot of arpeggios and few themes is objectively bad?
it's a style; a style that some like it and some don't, but it's a personal and respectable style (contrary to many avant-garde manneristic works)
It's like saying that Glass minimalism is objectively bad or nothing more than a technical exercise
You may like, you may not like but I don't think someone could tell Glass "your music is lot of arpeggio and few developement and it's obejectively bad, rewrite it !!"

I think that music has to espress something and to convey emotions
If I have to espress joy I'll use certain technical devices, if I have to espress sadness I'll use minor tonality and many dissonances, if I have to espress minimalistic introspectivity I would use lot of arpeggios and few themes with lot of development
I don't think judging chopin2256 work according to our tastes is anything usefull to him
I think we should judge his work compared to what his goal was and if this goal has been met with wise use of harmony and dynamic
If that is what chopin2256 goal was (introspective piece instead of a large breath developing piece), his piece meet perfectly this goal being also (to me) beautiful and hence a success
If chopin2256 goal was to write a sad piece about a burial then I don't think the piece met the goal

All the rest is pure subjective uncounscious taste

Daniel

Daniel

[presto agitato]

Chopin 2256: Are you related to Steve and Jeff Porcaro?

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

I find the criticisms to your piece so far very dishonest
They are like "since I don't like, it is wrong"
But okay, the piece has few themes and lot of development and its much arpeggios
But from when having lot of arpeggios and few themes is objectively bad?
it's a style; a style that some like it and some don't, but it's a personal and respectable style (contrary to many avant-garde manneristic works)
It's like saying that Glass minimalism is objectively bad or nothing more than a technical exercise
You may like, you may not like but I don't think someone could tell Glass "your music is lot of arpeggio and few developement and it's obejectively bad, rewrite it !!"

I think that music has to espress something and to convey emotions
If I have to espress joy I'll use certain technical devices, if I have to espress sadness I'll use minor tonality and many dissonances, if I have to espress minimalistic introspectivity I would use lot of arpeggios and few themes with lot of development
I don't think judging chopin2256 work according to our tastes is anything usefull to him
I think we should judge his work compared to what his goal was and if this goal has been met with wise use of harmony and dynamic
If that is what chopin2256 goal was (introspective piece instead of a large breath developing piece), his piece meet perfectly this goal being also (to me) beautiful and hence a success
If chopin2256 goal was to write a sad piece about a burial then I don't think the piece met the goal

All the rest is pure subjective uncounscious taste

Daniel

Daniel

They are just making suggestions. One thing that kills many composers is not having a distinct theme. I would know, because I got very harsh criticism on my music before I started working on my themes.

However, I don't blame Chopin2256 for this. After all, this is his first composition.

- Ludwig Van Rachabji

[Daniel_piano]

Does anyone else have anything to say about my pieces, lots of you are downloading, but very little constructive criticism for Ballade #2.

You know what from your second piece was can already recognize your unique style
After hearing the first one even without knowing you're the author one could say this piece has been written by you
This is what I love about music and this is what is true originality
Contrary to paradossal belief of avant-garde composers originality is not breaking with the past and using a lot of new devices and technical pseudo-innovation, originality is the "voice" of the author heard in each of its composition
You are unique, you have had experiences that one else had and you process the music data you have collected during your life in a unique way and your "style" your "uniqueness" can be heard in both of your pieces despite them being in romantic style
Don't be afraid about "influece of the past" don't be afraid to be "original at all cost" don't be fooled to think that your pieces can be original only if the audience hate them or if they are more "noise" than "music"
Write what you want and espress your emotion freely, you can't help but being original and your pieces show that
Anyway, I like it a lot; but that's just my personal taste and means nothing
It would be interesting to hear your style in a neorelistic or baroque piece
That's the beauty of true originality, you can use whatever device you want, whatever style you want, whatever influece you want and imitate who you want but your "own voice" keep being present in each piece despite the style and period

Daniel

[Daniel_piano]

They are just making suggestions. One thing that kills many composers is not having a distinct theme. I would know, because I got very harsh criticism on my music before I started working on my themes.

However, I don't blame Chopin2256 for this. After all, this is his first composition.

But tha's where I don't agree
Not having a theme maybe a stylistical choice and not a first composition error
I agree that having a distinct theme is a good thing many time (and one of the many problem of avant-garde music global dislike) but there are certain instance in which the compose decide to use the "lack of a theme" as a special effect for his composition
It would be an error to judge the lack of a theme as an error in itself without observing the contest in which it is used
There's a lot of music and beautiful music without a theme and I think it would be a great loss to music repertoire if a theme would be added to this themeless pieces

Now, take Brahms Violin Concerto, there is a lot of developmet and false-modulations but there's no a distinct theme, yet it's a beautiful piece to many and it wouldn't be the same without this "aleatory" characteristic

It all depends on chopin2256 goal
If he wanted to make a concrete romantic music with a theme and he wasn't able to make it then it maybe be an "error" or something to criticize
But if he wanted his music to sound aleatory and introspective (hence: themeless) and use the lack of a theme as a special effect in order to reach that aleatory effect then his piece is a succes and the lack of a theme is strong point not a weak one

Daniel

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Why don't you try asking him what he wanted?

- Ludwig Van Rachabji

[chopin2256]

Well there is definitly a theme in Ballade 2.  Right from the beginning...in fact the theme is stated word for word toward the end as well, in the left hand.  It's also repeated various times througout the piece, but its very very hidden with other techniques, which is what I wanted.  I go off into writing other things that build up to the theme variations which are very hard to distinguish if not listened close enough.  The reason why I made the variations of the theme hard to distinguish is because I didn't want it to sound derivative, boring and repetitive.  (although someone stated it sounded monotonous, but he didn't state how or why, so I don't know how I can follow that advice...Trust me, I know not all of you will like my pieces, I am willing to bet my audience will never be teenagers, with a few exceptions)

There are cases where the theme is completely morphed and if not analyzed, there is no way to tell it was a part of my original theme!  I wanted to make this an interesting piece indeed.  I hope I succeeded.

[Daniel_piano]

The reason why I made the variations of the theme hard to distinguish is because I didn't want it to sound derivative, boring and repetitive.

The reason for composing a piece in a specific way should never be what the people will think ot the fear to being unoriginal or boring
The more you try to be free by consciously breaking with the past or consciously avoid certain derivations and influnces the more you will be entrapped by strict rules that don't permit originality
Ihmo you should first start with a mind image of what your piece would like to sound and why (a love ballade for someone, an introspective piece, a piece of joy because of something beautiful in your life, a sad moment, your doubts and fear and so on) but you should simply write whatever you feel is the right thing to say at the moment with the music, but free yourself completely from any rules, fear of influence, fear of plagiarization, fear of being unoriginal, fear of being boring, fear of  being old-fashioned
You can be free in let your art and originality come out if you're always focused on what your piece shouldn't like instead of what he should like despite deravation, influences copied style and whetever

I'm not saying you're composing with these fears, but it's a suggestion

And remember that music can't help but being derivative
Breaking with the fast, being innovative and new, not being derivative are just illusions that doesn't take in account how our mind and physic of time works 
Every piece of this world is derivative
In fact, even the avant-garde music created just for the sake of being innovative and never influenced by the past is completely derivative and completely influenced by the past
Beethoven and Bramhs music was derivative and they aknowledge it and never fear something natural and unavoidable
Debussy, Bartok, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Rinmsky-Korsavok, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Boulez, Xenakis, Berio and even Mozart they always composed derivative music
Let's put this 20th century modernism myth that music shouldn't be derivative, that music can be non-derivative and that being derivative is being unoriginal at rest once and for all

Daniel

[Locky]

I have to agree somewhat with zemos. Both pieces have some great themes that start, but none seem to develop. I should add that that the style did stay fairly consistent. I agree that music is subjective, but without a central theme, there is no focus. Of course, you may not want to follow a narrative style, but rather an existentialist style. Nothing says that you MUST be logical or rational.

So I suppose what I'm trying to say is that our criticism is only relevant, if we know what you are trying to achieve.

I have to admit though, that I rather music that tells a story, and has a strong central theme.