Mazeppa's Compositions

[Mazeppa]

Mazeppa's Composition Thread

Genre(s) / Era(s) - Neo/Romantic, Impressionistic and Jazz

Instrument(s) - Piano, String Quartets, Concerti, Symphonic

Currently Composing - N/a

Influences / Autobiography - I got into music (in general) when I first listened to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" by Horowitz. I started to feel emotions that I have never felt before, and it through me into a state that I had never gone to before-I noticed, right away, that this was the feeling of a "passion" (something that you love, in my definition). When the III Mvt. started, I was in a state of complete infatuation, which was a different infatuation that you get from another person (relating to love, of course). This state was something that (from that moment on) that I wanted to engulf myself into and continue this passion that was opened to me through that piece of music-this basically had my influences towards piano, and composing for it. Overtime, I took lessons for piano, and I soon started to compose-and hey, I found Ichigo's right around that time! As many people know on Ichigo's, I started out just as any other newbie, but I still had that grasp on music from my piano playing, and I kept on pursuing my ambition of a composer. I continued to write down ideas, and eventually wrote and arranged a piece for my 8th Grade Band with me on Piano. Last summer I wanted to study music, but I couldn't so I just started to experiment with progressions and music in the style of the Romantics-which eventually made me one. After months of a composer block, I started listening to Impressionistic music, and that also had a large effect on my composition, and broke me out of the block, but just enough to write down ideas and such. Now, I am taking private lessons from whom he could be considered the best in the country. I am now seeing how theory and music intertwine and now I can envision orchestration already, even though we haven't gotten that far, yet. Most of my influences in my music show: Chopin, Liszt, Grieg, Debussy, Kondo, Beethoven, Hisaishi and Ravel, and my Jazz is usually original, but I have a lot of influence from Keith Jarret's original jazz as well.

No. of Years Studying/Composing - 2 Years (Composing) ; 1.5 months (Studying)

Goal(s) - Composer

Compositions -
Prelude in Ab (http://forums.ichigos.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=5386&d=1182878594)

~~~

I'm [i]finally back in action!

I'll just get down into it :

This is an impromptu piece (Prelude in Ab) that I've made tonight. It looks kinda primitive as it is, but that's just because my Finale got laggy and I couldn't make it look very tidy. So, I hope you all like it; it's one of my favourites. (I also included a .pdf of the score if any of you want to play it!)

[kitty9]

as usual ...you are the best...can't say anything....:sweat:

[BlazingDragon]

The midi just doesn't do this justice. :P I can't properly critique this, as I am more of a layman than a knowledgable musician, but here is my opinion.

:00-:30
I like the progression, rythym and melody. I did feel like there should have been more of an intro though. It felt like the song started too suddenly.

:38-1:04
Not much to say except that I like the chords from "58 to 1:04. It made for a nice transition. I did feel that the bass was getting a little repetitive though.

1:05-1:22
I half expected a contrasting section here. Or maybe the same melody, but an arpeggiated, rolling-like bass to add some variety. Maybe it's just my untrained ears, but the bass is starting to get a little repetitive.

1:23-End
I liked how you built up to the end, and the rolling chord at about 1:30. The end was fine, but my ear was expecting a different chord at 1:40.

Well, that's all I have to say. I can't really say I know what I'm talking about, though, as I don't have much experience with classical music. :P Anyway, I liked it a lot. Good job!

[Sir_Dotdotdot]

I hear a lot of Liszt. Stylistically speaking, it's wonderful in my opinion (but I'm not the one to say if it's perfect, since I am not a romantic-influenced person). I felt that you could've used some more variation with the bass rhythm. It'd be nice if it was in a polonaise form too, since it's I hear the energy for that. In the opening, when it says ped. you can change it to con pedale, just for your information. :P I can't say much more... But yeah...

[Mazeppa]

Alright, thanks for the critiques (so far, I hope).

@BlazingDragon- Yeah, I would have guessed someone could say to add more sections. .mainly make it a 'full' piece; this is a prelude, which is my favourite form, and it's perfect for making 'easy' compositions to post on Ichigo's. Unless I'm sure I want to, I'll post bigger production pieces. And yes, the repeditivness comes from the MIDI/Computer Playing it. . .maybe I should add a legato here and there, since it isn't supposted to be played that boistersly (the moving parts).

@Sir- Yes! Liszt is a big influence. Thanks for taking the time to just give a opinion on such a short piece.

The next one may also be a prelude, but I'm doing to start on a 'Liszt-Form' Sonata possibly.

[clarinetist]

Bass needs to be variated a bit, accidentals and chords are used well :).

[theowne]

Forum newbie comment here.....Very beautiful...I think it is one of the best I have heard so far on this site, because it seems like you know what you want to do with your music and then you just do it well. Nothing sounds forced at all. Great stuff.

PS ~ If someone could be so kind to make this piece a nice sounding .mp3 would be great!

http://www.mediafire.com/?axxagun31nk
(turn volume up)

[Mazeppa]

Thanks for the comments you two. Thanks for the .mp3 as well (Uploaded)

[Thorn]

i really like this piece =] can definately see the Lisztian influence

i agree with clarinetist that the accompaniment would benefit from more variation, but to be fair you say in your first post that it was an impromptu so im sure as you play it to yourself more you will be hit with ideas of developing this further; i mean Liszt himself wrote three or four versions of some of his pieces (Mazeppa being one of them) before reaching the ones you hear today.

but like i said this prelude is lovely- i am going to print the pdf and learn it =]

[Al]

My favourite part was in bar 46 when the right hand melody switched to eighth notes. There is potential in this piece. I can see you easily extending the minor section.

[poozer115]

I like it, however, I have some minor critique. The beats and style by which you played the chord progressions seems unnecessarily ridged. It reminded me of the soundtrac you might hear to an ancient performer hand-and-stick sort of act. Despite this, your chord progressions remind me of a black church chorus sort of thing =D, this being a compliment. In that sense, try to be more free with your playing. Experiment using chromatic triplets to build to your powerful chords, and then playing with those chords in suspension instead of locking them into your grid of beats =D. Nice work.

[deathraider]

Definitely loved the grand, romantic feel of the piece. Reminds me of some of the music in the musical I went and saw last night (It was called "12 Dancing Princesses", hehehe). I would suggest slowing it down a tad, and maybe adding another section with a different style of bass, making an ABACA rondo form.

[Mazeppa]

Thanks for the comments! I'm glad that the people who've listened/commented enjoy this piece. When I get some time I'm thinking about making this more of a larger-scale piece.. maybe. :heh:

New Composition coming within the next week.

EDIT-

@Poozer- I don't really get what you mean how everything was 'ridgid' beats. I had Dotted 8th Notes which make this piece has a little more pop. Also, the style of this piece was to be as written (so far) and a lot of chomatic triplets would really mess up the style of this piece. Thanks for the concern and suggestions, but I think my composition's style (Consisting of Neo-Romantic, Impressionests, 20th Century) wouldn't fit them. . .

[PorscheGTIII]

Yeah, I think it's great!

In a way I agree with what has been said that the bass is repetitive, but in another way I have to disagree. In the small picture, if that's all that was to be played it would be repetitive, but I feel, since it's a prelude, that it work just fine because the other sections will carry across a different bass. I feel the bass is vital for this prelude so I would suggest no change to it.

I can't wait to hear the rest! ^_^

[Noir7]

I agree with Al, there's potential in the piece. I like most of you compositions, they all share the same red thread so to say, there's always some element in them which I can connect to and remember. Keep it up.

[poozer115]

Thanks for the comments! I'm glad that the people who've listened/commented enjoy this piece. When I get some time I'm thinking about making this more of a larger-scale piece.. maybe. :heh:

New Composition coming within the next week.

EDIT-

@Poozer- I don't really get what you mean how everything was 'ridgid' beats. I had Dotted 8th Notes which make this piece has a little more pop. Also, the style of this piece was to be as written (so far) and a lot of chomatic triplets would really mess up the style of this piece. Thanks for the concern and suggestions, but I think my composition's style (Consisting of Neo-Romantic, Impressionests, 20th Century) wouldn't fit them. . .Yeah, I'm sorry, I shold have been more specific. When I said rigid beats I meant more how the theme was continously looped in the left hand, beat wise. The chords being pounded out in the same pattern every time. That was what I thought you should loosen up on. Does my critique make more sense now?

[Sir_Dotdotdot]

Yeah, I'm sorry, I shold have been more specific. When I said rigid beats I meant more how the theme was continously looped in the left hand, beat wise. The chords being pounded out in the same pattern every time. That was what I thought you should loosen up on. Does my critique make more sense now?

I think what you are basically saying is to variate the left hand, or the accompaniment, which was mentioned above already.

[Mazeppa]

Update- I may not post as many compositions as I intended to do at the beginning of summer. Since I'm taking lessons, I'm really starting to focus on ALL my compositions with the rule of quality over quanity; I just used to compose weak-compositions and post them here, but now I'm just going to post compositions when I finish them with my mentor.

Oh, and I'm doing it the old fashioned way-- on manuscript paper, then 'scribing it into Finale. XD

[Mazeppa]

:) The all famous Princess Zelda's Rescue AKA Zelda's Lullaby! Yes, I did another transcription of this, but this is one STRICTLY from A Link to the Past. If the Ocarina of Time one is different, I'll re-do that one (for the--literally--11th time).

Hope you enjoy this one, I've also submitted it the main ichigos.com page.

As some of you guys may remember my Transcriptions are pretty right on, and arrangements are meant to be difficult, concerning them to sound as close the original music by Kondo. ^_^

[clarinetist]

Hope you enjoy this one, I've also submitted it the main ichigos.com page.

Just thought I might tell you, since I didn't notice it; the ichigos.com watermark is needed ;).

But otherwise, right on. :)

[Mazeppa]

There's two different versions of the sheet music. The one I submitted says:

"Gifted for friends at Ichigo's Sheet Music -- http://www.ichigos.com"

I noticed that after I made (this) the PDF.

[Mazeppa]

Hmm.. it's been ages since I've posted in here (or anyone else for that matter). I haven't been very active in my composing, but I wrote down a sketch last night in a few hours. Far from done--even the title. Excuse the horrid quality.

Comments/feedback appreciated.

[Nyu001]

A very simplistic melody on the first section which I think works nice. Then a more aggressive approach on the second section which sounds influenced by Beethoven. On measure 42 to 46 it feel like going through a climax. I think this climax don't match with the previous and next content perfectly. For me it feels like too "early" to appear. But that is just how I view it. I guess you will make appear again your first theme later. Anyway, was enjoyable. Sounds like a mix of the romantic period with the classic period.

[Mazeppa]

Thanks. Just to remind everyone that this is all a sketch; I am planning to elaborate on the first section (with some chord/melodic tweaks, ofc) and the second section is being thought about. Although Nyu may feel that the arpeggio section is offish, it fits perfectly, it's just where it goes, I have something else... This may turn into a Intermezzo or Scherzo-esque piece..

THanks for the comments thus far, keep 'em coming! =)

[clarinetist]

The arpeggio section works for me... I do like the dissonances that you put in (esp. meas. 31-38). For some reason, to me, while listening to the piece, it kind of made me think as if it were a Theme and Variations, but that's just me (or an Intermezzo). But it's a good sketch. :)

[PorscheGTIII]

Can't wait to hear your final copy Mazeppa! It's been a little while since you've been active. Welcome back! ^_^

[Mazeppa]

Alright, alright-- I probably shouldn't come back to Ichigo's a techno-artist, but I really have no time to write out my piano stuff and this is kind of a music hobby.. well techno is. XD Here's something I'm currently working on; going to make it an epic hardcore mix with a bunch of sections and tempi.

Enjoy... comments? XD

[KaitouKudou]

oh hey, you're still here lol. man, makes me wanna go play with my sequencer again. I really shouldn't with the finals coming and all. :heh: Nice works dude, you've gotten so pro over the year, Cheers!

[Mazeppa]

This is a little assignment my teacher gave me to do this week. This is just a shot at orchestrating something.. a Bach chorale. It was kind of tough since I want to keep it in the style, but try to apply some principles of balance and whatnot. Comments and critiques are appreciated and encouraged!!

Oh, and the full title of the choral is...

#252 Jesu, nun sei gepreiset. BMV362

[clarinetist]

My ears may be playing tricks on me, so I'll try to be as accurate as possible:

1) At meas. 6 where the brass come in, it probably would be a good idea to avoid extremely close spacing. In order to fix this, I would suggest having somewhat open intervals or some doubling in octaves for the bass especially (e.g. including a tuba an octave below for bass line support).
2) I don't know why, but the violins seem to stick out a bit too much at meas. 10.
3) At meas. 17 and at other spots that I can't name at the moment, I suggest adding textural harmonies.

Sorry if I didn't word some of the suggestions correctly.

--

It's not a bad attempt. The balance isn't too bad, but it would probably be a good idea to add a bit of textural harmonies and putting in, at least, some of the bass in octaves in order to create more resonance throughout the choral.

(I'm not feeling quite too well today, but I tried to say something.)

[Mazeppa]

Writing a piece for band. Very early stages, and won't give much background on the story of the piece's title and stuff. Everything is intentional, except some places (glock) I wanted to be played the second time, and just some normal things that would be worked out by the director... because Finale sucks.

[Mazeppa]

*Comments anyone on the Band Piece?*

I wrote this in about an hour and a half to help an Ichigoian in need. I hope ya'll like this.

[PorscheGTIII]

I love the ballance and the orchestration you used in your concert band piece (we talked already. :P). Also, you impromptu piece has a keeps things fresh.

Nice.

[clarinetist]

Note that I was up for 14 hours last night and am still tired. :heh:

Writing a piece for band. Very early stages, and won't give much background on the story of the piece's title and stuff. Everything is intentional, except some places (glock) I wanted to be played the second time, and just some normal things that would be worked out by the director... because Finale sucks.

It's probably just me; for some reason, this doesn't seem to work as a band piece for me (there's just something that I don't like about the style). Or, it's because I was up for 14 hours last night and didn't sleep until 8 AM. :heh: If I have anything, I'll edit this post.

*Comments anyone on the Band Piece?*

I wrote this in about an hour and a half to help an Ichigoian in need. I hope ya'll like this.

I really like the simplicity of this piece. I think it may because Finale isn't playing the cresc. well (meas. 13) that the measure after seemed a bit random. At meas. 31, the tritone for some reason doesn't work for my ears. Good job. :)

[Mazeppa]

Yeah, clari, could you expound upon your comment? It's confusing and vague when you say it 'doesn't seem to work as a band piece' and what is that 'something you don't like about the style?' XD I'm just wanting to know, since this is "partially" commissioned for the "sit-down" band that I'm in at school.

[ajamesu]

The impromptu was nice and sweet ^_^

The band piece was well-orchestrated, but the mood seemed kinda jumpy to me. It jumped into these fanfare-like dissonances, then a counter-melody came into play. Then, it just cut off and went to this beautiful melody that reminded me of an opening to an anime movie. I don't see the coherence, unless you were doing a peacetime-after-battle thingy. It's coming along really nicely, though :) Would love to hear more!

[clarinetist]

Yeah, clari, could you expound upon your comment? It's confusing and vague when you say it 'doesn't seem to work as a band piece' and what is that 'something you don't like about the style?' XD I'm just wanting to know, since this is "partially" commissioned for the "sit-down" band that I'm in at school.

The clarinet/flute with brass call and response got a little bit repetitive after a while (it's kind of hard to hear the flute; change the panning?). When the clarinets/flutes come in, there is a rather "dry" sound contrasted with a "wet" sound by the brass, which is a bit too sudden for me; I usually like the contrast to happen gradually.

First of all (on the style), I would rather that the phrases be more flowing and gradual so that the brass melody that starts at 1:26 isn't too sudden (in other words, expand on the melody in the beginning in order to transition to the brass melody). Try to make the mood be a little consistent.

[Mazeppa]

First of all (on the style), I would rather that the phrases be more flowing and gradual so that the brass melody that starts at 1:26 isn't too sudden (in other words, expand on the melody in the beginning in order to transition to the brass melody). Try to make the mood be a little consistent.

I would have to disagree with your first suggestion. The style I am wanting to come out isn't "supported" by MIDI, and all the beginning is very legato (except for those pounding chords) and the WW will all mesh "wet" as you say. And I've been feeling that at the beginning to play with the overall dynamic (so I'm already on top of that one! =P)

But I have noticed a quick change between the first and second section/movement/part/what-have-you, and maybe I've felt instead of changing the first part, add an introduction of a sort of chords for two bars then get into the Tpt. solo.

Thanks for the expansion on the comments! *appreciated

[Inuyasha_1052]

@ Band Piece: Perhaps my brain is filling in harmonies xD, but It actually has the potential to be a wonderfully eerie piece. Think wandering in a slightly illuminated cave, in some earlier final fantasy games. Brain Harmonics aside I really like it so far, stay the course.

[Mazeppa]

Updated. o__0

[Nyu001]

With your new display, the piece makes me think of that Owl. At first I was not so fond with the introduction of the piece, but now that I have a visualization of an Owl, I am getting more fond of that part. The starting of the second section with the trumpet playing the melody is very nice, I like the way it start that new part. However, I still don't get to feel a connection with the first part, even if you added that timpani roll. I get a feeling that after the first part a staccato is coming with a rhythmic new section. At 3:00 reminds me again of the Owl and this personally is my favorite part of the piece.

[clarinetist]

The timpani roll is not held long enough; perhaps add an extra measure with other instruments playing before that 2nd section?

[Mazeppa]

The timpani roll is not held long enough; perhaps add an extra measure with other instruments playing before that 2nd section?

My thoughts precisely.. Except I don't know how to put measures in BETWEEN music. =/

[Nyu001]

Click measure tool then right click in any measure and choice: Insert Measure Stack. A new measure should appear previous the one you clicked.

[Noir7]

I bet it's well-written... but, you know =)

[clarinetist]

My thoughts precisely.. Except I don't know how to put measures in BETWEEN music. =/

If I recall correctly, you're using Finale 2007. Click the Measure Tool. Click on the measure to the right from which you want a measure to be inserted. Then, click on "Measure" at the menu (with File, Edit, etc) and click "Insert."

Click measure tool then right click in any measure and choice: Insert Measure Stack. A new measure should appear previous the one you clicked.

^This applies to Finale 2008 and later.

[Mazeppa]

Work in Progress:

Composition for Noir7's $100 Composition Competition.

[Mazeppa]

Scratch that last post. XD I've been working on a remix of the Ghost Forest Interlude theme from DK2.

I am still trying to create background effects and playing with what I really want it to feel like in most places.

Comments, suggestions, all the like accepted and encouraged/appreciated.

[Nyu001]

I was typing a comment about this but after decide to test your piece with a different speaker it came out totally different! What felt totally weak in the other speakers felt too strong on this one!

[KaitouKudou]

It got a bit repetitive but I guess it is trance afterall. I loved the intro though. I was sort of waiting for a drum roll from around the 4minute mark that would bring the bass back but I guess it never came lol.

[Mazeppa]

Yeah, I've been meaning to work on this, but I am HORRIBLE at editing what Iput a lot of work into. Maybe I'll do some editing and extending later! =)