Piano concerto No. 1 In G Minor

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Ok, first draft is finished of first movement. Enjoy!

Comments (20)

composer's picture

Awesome!

DarkofDays's picture

This melody is just great :)

musicmaster7's picture

You might consider bringing in the flute here, alternating between high A and G, to compliment the horn and clarinet.

musicmaster7's picture

In these two measures of rest, you should write a run for violin 1 going up in 16th notes from 2nd line G.

ApresAlkan's picture

First and foremost, this is a very pleasant piece, and you've done well to be so successful so young. The following is a 'critique', and is the nearest I can get to thorough. It is not supposed to be an attack, and I really hope that my comments are useful to you.

The introduction in the piano starts with a vague quotation of the first theme. You choose instead of firmly establishing tonality to start in C minor, before 'modulating' into G minor. Instead of the firm perfect cadence V7-i, you use the aeolian v-i, which does not seem so definite (my theory knowledge doesn't extend too far, forgive my occasionally vague ramblings). The brass double notes which the piano is playing, adding a little force to the dominant note, but musically adding nothing. If you continue to choose to keep the aeolian cadence, I'd voice that chord 5/8, and still if otherwise. The brass could also play the dominant. Given the strength implied by the sffz, I'd also use the strings to emphasise the bass.

The lyrical sound of the oboe and clarinet is somewhat drowned out by the force of the strings in the exposition of the first theme, especially seeing as all three instruments doubling the oboe are doing so at the same octave. The accompanying figure could be given some more strength by putting the bassoon and cellos an octave apart.

The actual first theme is a little odd, also staring in the subdominant instead of with the tonic. If the two phrases were reversed, so the harmonies would progress i-iv instead of vi-i, it might sound more comfortably within the key, without removing any of the musicality exhibited elsewhere. The two-voice 'interlude' again keeps everything in the same octaves, even though the tessitura of the instruments playing is often more suitable to others and it would give a thicker, more 'orchestral' feel if they did. The repetition of the first two bars of the theme can now start with the subdominant, but rather than return to the tonic, if I were writing this, I would go to chord vii, but reharmonised to be F minor. This way it would be a quotation of the updated beginning of the theme raised a perfect fourth.

Also, under the MuseScore pallette, you can add brackets to families of instruments and doublings such as the Violins I and II. The dynamics, I believe are always written below the stave which they refer to.

I realise that you might not want such a thorough review of your work, but if you have found my comments useful, let me know and I'll continue through the rest of the piece. It is so much easier to suggest improvements to another's piece than it is to improve one's own, so I'd be happy to either continue writing, or send you a score with my suggestions implemented. Thank you for sharing this work with the world, and best of luck for the future! Although this post is a criticism (which you asked for in your group placements--'music for improvement', 'critique and review'), understand that I enjoyed this immensely, and I would never be capable of writing something of this scope or enjoyability. Bravissimo.

John Citizen's picture

Thank you, thank you thank you! This is exactly the kind of critique I wanted. The changes you have suggested are absolutely right. I'll get on to fixing these problems soon- but I'm on holidays as of tomorrow so when I get back I'll update the score.

trentryall1's picture

omg thats amazing, well done :)

cjbrandt's picture

This is very impressive:) I really enjoyed this.

thefronj17s's picture

Well done! I mean really great! Even without considering your age, this piece is fantastic. Just one thing... the silent spaces... they are kind of awkward sounding. Although that could just be me not wanting the music to stop!

Ronan's picture

Never! Ever! Stop! You will be one of the greats soon. Keep it up!

John Citizen's picture

Thanks a lot! Though I don't think soon is likely, considering I'm still in year 9.

Ronan's picture

Wow. I'm in Year 7, but I'm still far away to your standards. Kudos to you!

Eben Ejdne's picture

I LOVE IT! Great work. A highly enjoyable piece.

The Keyboard Playing Penguin's picture

This is great! I can't wait for the rest of it!

John Citizen's picture

Thanks- I'm actually just researching for the next few movements at the moment. Tentative release date of second movement is latish june?

The Keyboard Playing Penguin's picture

I can't wait! Thanks!

jammy927's picture

I love it! Pianok98 took the words right out of my mouth (or keyboard?). I suggest adding a cadenza in the second draft, and I eager await the following movements.

John Citizen's picture

Thanks for the advice. There is a cadenza in this draft, although I think I need to work on it for the next draft.

Pianok98's picture

Fantasic, an enjoyable melody, cleary a lot of time and effort has been placed into this beautiful piece, inly the sound of a real orchestra and a real acoustic piano can amplifi the sound created in this piece. Great job!

John Citizen's picture

Thanks heaps! I agree the tone quality on this program leaves a little to be desired. Upon completion of the other movements, I'm working on getting an orchestra to play it with me. Thanks again!

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Info

Uploaded Apr 25, 2012
Pages 55
Duration 8:23
Measures 348
Key signature 2 flats
Parts 15
Part names
  • Acoustic Grand Piano
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • French Horn
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba
  • Timpani
  • String Ensemble 1 (5)
  • Drumset
License All rights reserved
Privacy  Everyone can see this score

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