The Dance Begins

[gavbrown]

Hello colleagues, this is the third of a series of pieces intended as intersticial music, to be played between dance numbers for an upcoming (who knows when) dance concert for the Baltimore Composers Forum. I was asked to write 3 pieces of two minutes duration to allow the dancers to stage the next dance, put up props, get in position, etc. The musicians available are viola, cello, and double bass, so that's what I wrote for. Score included in the YT, comments invited >

[Joseph]

An interesting idea, providing music behind set changes. I think this will work though I find it most effective from measure 17 on. I do question in the first 16 measures not having the dynamics equal (unless you are trying to balance the parts in your software). As written there is nothing about the parts asking to be out front, everything is pretty equal. Even the little runs in measures 13 - 16 will stand out with resorting to setting the dynamic levels differently. Watch your articulations, the slurs in 47 - 49 should probably have some separation between the repeat notes that start the last beat otherwise it will more than likely sound as if it is an 8th followed by 2 16th . . . though your string players will probably adjust them. In 43 - 45, those last two bass notes in 7/4, I'd love to hear them grow, maybe a varied attack or a change in dynamics or articulation. The really want to be noticed - IMHO. As always, you are the composer and it is your vision. I do like the overall idea and look forward to hearing the other two (did I miss them?)

[gavbrown]

Hi Joseph, thanks for comments and you are right on every point you raise: 1) differing sound levels - I do this because of the software, will adjust to match; 2) slurs in 47-49 - oops, I should have caught this, will correct; 3) 43-45, good idea to bring out the last two in 7/4, will adjust; 4) about the other pieces in the set, no, you haven’t missed anything, I didn’t post them, but since you asked about them, I will, in 2 separate threads. Thanks for your helpful comments!