http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=139568
MP3:
http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?com=streammp3&scoreid=139568
This piece started when I challenged myself to come up with a fugue subject that less than a fifth and was fairly simple rhythmically and very short. Previously my various fugue subjects tended to cover a large range and where long when compared to fugue subjects from the Renaissance. What I cam up with is a seven note subject that cover the interval of just a perfect fourth. Harmonically the subject is in the Phygian mode.
The subject is first stated by the cellos, followed in order by the violas, first violins, and finally the second violins. At letter [A], bar 23 a second subject is introduced by the second violins. This subject unlike the first subject covers the interval of a minor ninth. The second subject is then stated by the first violins, violas and final the cellos and basses together. The piece then slowly builds to the climax of the piece at letter [B], bar 39. Here the first violins play the fist subject while the second violins play a slightly modified version of the second subject. The violas are playing the first subject in inversion, while the cellos play a running sixteenth note patter and the bass play a pedal D#. The climax is held back not quick reaching its full potential, and soon peters out.
At bar 42 the piece slides into E dorian, with violins and viola passing around a Gregorian chant before coming to a rest on a E minor triad. After a brief pause the cellos play the first subject, now in D phygian. The violas then play the first subject while at the same time the second violins state the second subject. The last note of the second violins statement of the second subject in D phygian turns into the first note of the first subject in A phygian. Wile the second violins play the first subject, the first violins play the second subject, as with the second violins the last note of the first violins second subject turns into the first note of the first subject as the violas play the second subject.
The piece comes to an end after letter [D] with the Basses, cells, violas and first violins playing A (in four different octaves). In to this “perfect” structure the second violins enter playing Bb, just a half step above the violas. The second violins briefly play a Db before “resolving” to a C as the piece fades.
I am not 100 percent happy with the piece, as there are bits that feel forced, but I though I would inflicted it upon the world and see what happens.
The piece makes use of non-standard dynamic markings, the key to them is below.
- Key To Non-Standard Symbols
ppp! As soft as possible
P+ Between P and MP
MP- Between MP and P
M Between MP and MF
MF+ Between MF and F
F+ Between F and FF
Thank you for listening.
Note: The MP3 recording is a preliminary mix and stills needs to be mastered.
