Monthly offering of new compositions anyone?

It's the 25th of November, so it's NOT TIME YET

In every other forum we see a lot of offerings. Especially in the adult beginners forum, there's a wealth of monthly activity. The idea is that there isn't "too much attention", it's just lovely sharing between people who know each other.

So why not with new compositions? With respect, love and care.

I'm willing to host undefinitely all the files if need be.

So with all technicalities gone, would anyone like to start sharing one (or more) of their works, regardless of ensemble, quality, technicalities, size, length or other... just share your music.

And comment. Comment all you want. Comment on the score(s), comment on the recording, comment on the video, or the red dress. Comment on everything! But do it nicely and in a totally informal way.

What do you think, composers of PW? Good idea, or bad idea? I think that everyone can promise that they will not steal your work, be mean, or anything else... And it doesn't matter if you don't have a score (it's an impro, or whatever), or you only have a score. Perhaps someone will be willing to give it a go and record it for you... Give and receive!

I'll start a thread on the 1st of December, to give it one full and proper month!

Until then, then...

Thanks Nikolas for your offer and willingness to host a thread/link to compositions by composers here that participate in PW. I think it's a great idea. You mentioned 'new compositions', I'm wondering if older compositions could also be entered. I have composed several piano pieces and improvisational works in the past, none of which I've posted a link to here for reaction or comments. Perhaps by taking the incentive to record and put something forth here from my own past it would be stimulus to work on some new pieces.
I notice you already have had quite a number of views on this thread and the idea you've put forth. Surely there are some of these viewers that would be interested in your proposition.
I also agree with you that it would be good to have positive and constructive dialogue in responding to others efforts.

Hmmm...

You're right! I mentioned 'new compositions', but everything can go in. It would be nice if the thread (or any other thread like that in the next months) could be a reason for someone to compose per se, but after all how can we know if something is 'new' or 'old'? And what does it really matter anyhow?

Now, I also noticed the many views of this thread, and I gave myself another couple of days before bumping the thread, but here you are! Plus it's the thanksgiving week, so chances are that a lot of people are not logged in... I also assumed that people might come forth once the 'main thread' gets started. We'll see in a week I guess!

Cheers Dara!

Cheers back at you Nikolas !
And best wishes with your composition thread. I encourage others to join in.
You can count me in !

Sounds like fun, I'll play. I haven't been composing much lately, the last quarter of the year is crazy time for me, but it might be useful to post something not so new for comments.

Hi Nikolas,

By any chance, do you have the means to convert from a high-bias, chrome cassette master? I am willing to try submitting a movement or two from an older string quartet, but believe folks will need the sound as well as the score.

Thanks,
Ed

Hmmm... I think that I might be able to do that, but I'd have to double check! Plus you'd have to ship the cassette to me, which would mean transferring over the atlantic, which is dangerous in itself.

But wait, Ed. Are you talking about a 4-voice recording from a 4-voice tape recorder? The ones that were around in the 1980s and early 90s? If so, then I do not, currently have one that would be able to play back all 4 voices and as such I'd have to search even deeper...

Isn't anyone in NYC able to do that?

Hi again, Nikolas,

As you so rightly guessed, these were four-track recordings, but mixed down to the standard 2-channel analog output. There are any number of places here that can digitize the recordings. I was simply looking for the painless solution.

Best,
Ed

So if you have the 2-channel analog output, I think that I could convert them to digital means (and clean it up a bit)...

Just allow me some time to check some things, since I'm dead busy right now and I'll get on it...

Nikolas,

Thank you for the most generous offer. There is absolutely no hurry. Like my brain, this work has been collecting cobwebs for three decades, so a bit longer should have no discernable effect.

While you are "cleaning it up a bit", could you please improve the intonation, and especially the PLAYING, of the second violin? She was somewhat weak, as I recall.

Meanwhile, let me see what I can get accomplished on my end.
Ed

I'm very uncertain that I'll be able to change any intonation or playing in an existing recording: It's impossible to do that actually... :-/ But I hope you're joking, Ed!

Actually, it's not. There's a product called Melodyne that I use that's awesome. The new version, Melodyne 2, (I own version 1) can actually change the intonation of individual notes in a polyphonic audio file. The technology is called direct note access (DNA). I heard a demo that changed a Mozart string quartet from major to minor. The best part is that it's not stupid pitch correction you can leave in infections and scoops that give a vocal line real flavor.

Ed, playing a cassette into a computer to digitize it is no big deal. I could do it. Editing the result is where things could get spendy. Melodyne could do it, but it's $399. It's pretty amazing technology.

Steve,

I know about Melodyne: I have the cheap version (and I don't use pirated software, so DNA is out of my reach at this moment and since I'm not using it professionally). It's AWESOME I agree, but it's tons of work...

And -- of course -- I actually was kidding, just as Nikolas surmised!

Obviously, I know that there is mechanical manipulation of pitch, and has been for many, many years. That was one of the things that made multi-channel recording really catch-on: the intonation of the lower brass could be improved upon AFTER THE RECORDING SESSION! And now, with more finite digitizing of sound sources, I am certain there is virtually no limit to what can be manipulated, or corrected.

I have a tape, of a recording session, where Igor Stravinsky is conducting an orchestra that is playing his Petrushka (I believe). At one point, the orchestra has “clamed” it up, and the Maestro stops to regroup. After discussing the problem with the musicians, Mr. Stravinsky and the recording engineer agree upon a point further back in the score where they will restart (Bar # nnn). The recording tape rolls, "Rolling!", and Mr. Stravinsky restarts the orchestra at the agreed-upon measure. Within a few measures, we hear the recording engineer’s voice on the intercom, breaking through the sound of the orchestra:
RE: Excuse me, Maestro . . . . . Sorry! . . . . Excuse me . . .
IS: (Stopping the orchestra again) Yes?
RE: Could you take this tempo just a little slower?
IS: Why would I want to do that?
RE: Because you are playing it faster now than before.
IS: But I like this tempo better!
RE: Please, Maestro, it needs to match up with the tempo prior to Bar # nnn.
IS: Very well. I shall make this one concession to technology.
(laughter from the orchestra, probably engendered by the infamous Stravinsky scowl)
(the orchestra restarts)

And here we were looking forward to being honoured by an original LoPresti.

I seriously hope that Ed will either send me the tape, for me to digitize, or alternative find someone else a bit closer (Steve?) to do the same thing but 'locally'.

Hey KeyString and Nikolas,

I was kidding about Nikolas working his magic on improving the playing of the second violinist on the recording. I was NOT kidding about submitting a movement or two, and letting everyone tear it to shreads.

I think perhaps just the First Movement. That should give everyone enough of a "LoPresti original" to last a lifetime! (And this time I am NOT kidding!)

Go easy with that "honoured" stuff, KeyString.
Ed

I'm down! I'm writing a Piano Duo piece right now that once it's finished I'll try to get up here! I just need to get someone else to record it with me [and find a place to record with two piano's...]

Okie!

Excellent!

I'm working tonight, so I'll get home after midnight (European time) in which case it will be the 1st of December! And as such I'll just start a new clean thread with the various offerings, etc...

As I said, if anyone needs technical help, webspace, upload instructions, or whatever else... I'm only a PM away!

(ED, you know my address. If you can't find someone else, I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to record your tape into digital means and clean it up a bit! ;))

Just in case you people didn't see this: http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1993257.html#Post1993257

New thread with 3 compositions in it already! And it's haven't been 24 hours yet! YAY!

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum. I have just published a website which contains a (Christmas) piece written for an English Piano magazine. The file can be heard on the website. Should I also send a WAV file to the email address listed?

Thanks
Sean

Hi Sean,

sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I didn't notice your post until now.

If you want your file to have better access send it over to me at nikolas *AAAATTT* musica-ferrum.com and I'll see it translated to mp3 and then upload it.

Otherwise there are other options (like Box.net, or soundcloud, etc)...