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- jvvg
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1000+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
In order to mock all of the people I know who think they're really good because of the concertos they play, I decided to write three of my own piano concertos. My first one in D Minor has a complete orchestra score, but was terrible. I got bored writing my second one in E Flat Major and I only completed a two piano version, but I'm actually doing reasonably on my third one. It is in this form:
1. Allegrote - Adagio in D Minor (fractured rondo form)
2. Andante in B Flat Major (no particular form)
3. Allegrote - Adagio - Allegrote in D Minor (sort of ternary form); Largo Maestoso - Allegrote - Largo Maestoso in E Major (ternary form)
(Note, the term “Allegrote” refers to a tempo between 400 and 600 BPM)
The first movement features a tempo of up to quarter note = 400, a series of octave jumps, and a bunch of other fun tricks.
The second movement is a typical slow movement, with no real tricks.
The third movement, the grand finale, features a tempo of up to quarter note = 600, two octave note jumps, five octave chords, which then dissolves into a slow melody that is adapted from another song I have heard. Then, the fast melody returns back with its original rage, featuring a series of six octave D Minor chords. The theme then modulates into E Minor, then into E Major. The fast theme suddenly gives way to a very slow and majestic E Major theme. Later on, the fast theme is played again, but this time in E Minor and E Major rather than D Minor, and then the slow E Major theme is played again. The four note motif is played again for one final time, and the concerto comes to a close on a series of E Major chords.
The opening four note motif recurs in all three movements.
I have finished writing full orchestra scores for the first two movements, and am working on the third. I have a two piano score for the whole thing, though.
Here are the links…
Two piano score for the whole thing
Audio of the whole thing for two pianos
Movement 1 (Full orchestra)
Movement 2 (Full orchestra)
Please note that due to my tempo markings, extreme chords, and rather large note jumps, the recordings are all synthesized.
1. Allegrote - Adagio in D Minor (fractured rondo form)
2. Andante in B Flat Major (no particular form)
3. Allegrote - Adagio - Allegrote in D Minor (sort of ternary form); Largo Maestoso - Allegrote - Largo Maestoso in E Major (ternary form)
(Note, the term “Allegrote” refers to a tempo between 400 and 600 BPM)
The first movement features a tempo of up to quarter note = 400, a series of octave jumps, and a bunch of other fun tricks.
The second movement is a typical slow movement, with no real tricks.
The third movement, the grand finale, features a tempo of up to quarter note = 600, two octave note jumps, five octave chords, which then dissolves into a slow melody that is adapted from another song I have heard. Then, the fast melody returns back with its original rage, featuring a series of six octave D Minor chords. The theme then modulates into E Minor, then into E Major. The fast theme suddenly gives way to a very slow and majestic E Major theme. Later on, the fast theme is played again, but this time in E Minor and E Major rather than D Minor, and then the slow E Major theme is played again. The four note motif is played again for one final time, and the concerto comes to a close on a series of E Major chords.
The opening four note motif recurs in all three movements.
I have finished writing full orchestra scores for the first two movements, and am working on the third. I have a two piano score for the whole thing, though.
Here are the links…
Two piano score for the whole thing
Audio of the whole thing for two pianos
Movement 1 (Full orchestra)
Movement 2 (Full orchestra)
Please note that due to my tempo markings, extreme chords, and rather large note jumps, the recordings are all synthesized.
Last edited by jvvg (May 15, 2013 01:50:30)
- mythbusteranimator
-
1000+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
I wrote a piano concerto before
- generosity
-
500+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
You've improved - but there are still some problems.
For one, you seem to have taken a liking to upping the tempo to unrealistic proportions - this may sound impressive, but really it just looks bad.
What surprised me is that the sudden transitions were, well, not surprising. They flowed very well. You change time signature often as well, but this isn't really a problem for listeners.
Another thing - your melodies are still really simple. And when they're not, they're awkward. When you used dotted quarters in the first movement, it just sounded awkward. Now, don't be disheartened, I actually liked the melodies that you set at extremely fast tempos.
I want to bring up another point here - which is related to your tempo changes; you'll have a very fast and driving section in something like 300 bpm, and then abruptly switch to adagio. That would be cool! - if your slow sections were interesting. They're just simple quarter, eighth and half note melodies! This would be used more effectively if the parts in that section were more grand. The way it is now, you'll have licks screaming down the keys at 300, then switch to 400, then it goes to a painstakingly slow piano solo that sometimes doesn't even involve the left hand. Plonk.
It seems like your priorities are out of order - you're following rondo form practically to the T but your songs sound like they're stolen from a beginner's method handbook.
So, overall:
awkwardness: still pretty high
melody: still pretty simple but you're definitely improving
structure: near perfect
For one, you seem to have taken a liking to upping the tempo to unrealistic proportions - this may sound impressive, but really it just looks bad.
What surprised me is that the sudden transitions were, well, not surprising. They flowed very well. You change time signature often as well, but this isn't really a problem for listeners.
Another thing - your melodies are still really simple. And when they're not, they're awkward. When you used dotted quarters in the first movement, it just sounded awkward. Now, don't be disheartened, I actually liked the melodies that you set at extremely fast tempos.
I want to bring up another point here - which is related to your tempo changes; you'll have a very fast and driving section in something like 300 bpm, and then abruptly switch to adagio. That would be cool! - if your slow sections were interesting. They're just simple quarter, eighth and half note melodies! This would be used more effectively if the parts in that section were more grand. The way it is now, you'll have licks screaming down the keys at 300, then switch to 400, then it goes to a painstakingly slow piano solo that sometimes doesn't even involve the left hand. Plonk.
It seems like your priorities are out of order - you're following rondo form practically to the T but your songs sound like they're stolen from a beginner's method handbook.
So, overall:
awkwardness: still pretty high
melody: still pretty simple but you're definitely improving
structure: near perfect
- generosity
-
500+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
no, noteflight has better samples What do you use? Noteflight?
- jvvg
-
1000+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
Thanks for your advice. I'm writing a fourth piano concerto in B Minor and addressing several of these issues. The structure is like this: You've improved - but there are still some problems.
For one, you seem to have taken a liking to upping the tempo to unrealistic proportions - this may sound impressive, but really it just looks bad.
What surprised me is that the sudden transitions were, well, not surprising. They flowed very well. You change time signature often as well, but this isn't really a problem for listeners.
Another thing - your melodies are still really simple. And when they're not, they're awkward. When you used dotted quarters in the first movement, it just sounded awkward. Now, don't be disheartened, I actually liked the melodies that you set at extremely fast tempos.
I want to bring up another point here - which is related to your tempo changes; you'll have a very fast and driving section in something like 300 bpm, and then abruptly switch to adagio. That would be cool! - if your slow sections were interesting. They're just simple quarter, eighth and half note melodies! This would be used more effectively if the parts in that section were more grand. The way it is now, you'll have licks screaming down the keys at 300, then switch to 400, then it goes to a painstakingly slow piano solo that sometimes doesn't even involve the left hand. Plonk.
It seems like your priorities are out of order - you're following rondo form practically to the T but your songs sound like they're stolen from a beginner's method handbook.
So, overall:
awkwardness: still pretty high
melody: still pretty simple but you're definitely improving
structure: near perfect
1. Adagio - Allegretto Non Troppo (B Minor - D Major - B Minor)
2. Adagio (G Sharp Minor - G Sharp Major)
3. Allegro Non Troppo (B Minor)
4. Allegro Vivace - Presto - Allegrote (unplayable) - Adagio (B Minor - D Major - B Minor - B Major)
In the last movement, rather than switching the tempo abruptly at the end, it will slow down gradually. I still am including the ultra fast section simply because my main goal in these concertos is simply to mock people who think they are good at piano.
I am also starting to develop more advanced melodies. The piano solos now involve both hands, the patterns are more complex than just quarter and eighth note sequences. I also am putting in more variety, and varying the themes when they recur, rather than just bringing them back verbatim.
However, in that one, the structure won't be quite as conformant. So far, it partially follows accepted forms, but I am making some modifications.
I use MuseScore. What do you use? Noteflight?
- jvvg
-
1000+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
What do you mean?no, noteflight has better samples What do you use? Noteflight?
- Red_dino
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11 posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
I'm envious of all people who can compose music. I can play it, but I can never make it.
- generosity
-
500+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
it's called ' I'm envious of all people who can compose music. I can play it, but I can never make it.practice'

- mythbusteranimator
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1000+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
also called music theory knowledgeit's called ' I'm envious of all people who can compose music. I can play it, but I can never make it.practice'
- generosity
-
500+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
naw man thats for chumpsalso called music theory knowledgeit's called ' I'm envious of all people who can compose music. I can play it, but I can never make it.practice'
(unless you can learn from some reliable source)
- shelter
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42 posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
my knowledge of music theory is “cdefgab” and making my English teacher madnaw man thats for chumpsalso called music theory knowledgeit's called ' I'm envious of all people who can compose music. I can play it, but I can never make it.practice'
(unless you can learn from some reliable source)
- Gravitation
-
100+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
As in, instrument samples; Noteflight tends to sound better than MuseScore.What do you mean?no, noteflight has better samples What do you use? Noteflight?
- mythbusteranimator
-
1000+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
Also i just like it moreAs in, instrument samples; Noteflight tends to sound better than MuseScore.What do you mean?no, noteflight has better samples What do you use? Noteflight?
It's simpler for me because i don't need PDFs and whatnot
- generosity
-
500+ posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
noPractice with a limitation of 10 songs?it's called ' I'm envious of all people who can compose music. I can play it, but I can never make it.practice'
1. you can separate and put multiple songs on one “track”
2. you can delete old tracks and replace them with new ones
- ifnull
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38 posts
Epic piano concerto in D Minor
lol
Last edited by ifnull (Feb. 9, 2024 06:41:22)
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