Sorry for the awful thread title as well, I thought that I'd stick with the terrible repetitive alliterative theme... Bit like a passacaglia but not as interesting.
Anyway, hello! you may have gathered from a combination of factors (namely my alias on the forum and this thread's title) that my name is Elliot Corner.
I am fortunate enough to be a published composer, with my work being currently published by OLC Barcelona Música.
Composition for me is very important, as it is a way for me to vent my growing frustration at the world and the life that I lead. For example, I have a chronic eye condition that may leave me blind in anywhere from 8-20 years so I use catharsis (expulsion of emotion through art) to alleviate my fears etc.
I write in the classical and romantic styles because I believe that contemporary composition has come far enough. Composers like Ferneyhough are losing touch with the point of music, which is in my opinion to illicit an emotional reaction in the listener by expressing something through sound that is unable to be said by words. I think that the best way of doing that is still through the old methods, such as the Rachmanninov Piano Concerto No.2 (which is so damn good it's impossible to rate) which expresses such intense emotions. I know that a lot of contemporary composition does this very well, but I still like writing in, and want to hear more of the big romantic style of writing. Hence why I write in the style.
As I am a violist, I wish (when slightly older) to plug the gap of nonexistent romantic concerto repertoire by writing a few concerti in the style of Tchaikovsky/Bruch etc, as we only have the Stamitz + Hoffmeister from the classical era, and the Bartok, Walton and many many contemporary works after that... So I will one day write a Viola Concerto to show off the capabilities of this vastly under-appreciated instrument in a more accessible way for music lovers. One day... *realises the readers have all drifted off to sleep because I've taken too damn long*
Anyway, enough of my deluded rambling, I'd like to start my page off by sharing the work that means the most to me, my first major work: Piano Concerto No.1 in D Minor Op.2. Have a listen :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx3h9qTMiTY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx3h9qTMiTY)
It was written in the classical/romantic style, with a few weird chords thrown in for good measure. It is based on a simple theme, 'A B flat G A, D E C# D, F G E F' which was taken from Bach's Keyboard Concerto in D Minor. There is no better way to pay homage to a composer than to write a massive piece based on his theme... And Bach was an absolute LEGEND. [soppyness]It is dedicated to my girlfriend, Emma Yarde, for her continued love and support through the worst of times... [/soppyness]
If this gets a good reception, I'll be happy to post more of my work :)
Kind regards,
Elliot Corner
P.S I use YouTube to publicise myself and my work, so it would really be amazing if you could subscribe to my YouTube channel :) http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=elliotviola
Hi Elliot,
Thanks for setting up your own thread on here! A very fascinating introduction, I will make sure to listen to your piano concerto tommorow and am excited to do so. Always good to meet a fellow young composer. Are you studying music? At the moment I study composition at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music which is great. There are many great violists there too! ;)
I see what you mean about modern music. My music is a mixture of romanticism, impressionism and modernism.
Anyway, I look forward to hearing your work tommorow, and shall report back! I'd be interested to hear your opinion on my work too, my thread is also on the forum, called 'Hogan's Home'.
Thanks again,
Daniel
Quote from: madaboutmahler on February 28, 2012, 01:25:17 PM
Are you studying music? At the moment I study composition at the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music which is great. There are many great violists there too! ;)
I've been at RCM JD for a term now, and am loving it :D They had to fit me in as a late entry (I joined a term late) so they couldn't fit me into composition lessons, but I do class composition lessons as a compromise...
I am studying music, just AS at the moment, but I've dropped a subject to do extra practise etc.
Wow we appear to be fairly similar... :P
Welcome, Elliot! I look forward to making the better acquaintance of both you & your music.
Incidentally . . . I've written a viola sonata . . . you can ask Daniel (madaboutmahler) about it . . . .
Cheers,
~Karl
Quote from: karlhenning on March 01, 2012, 05:01:20 AM
Welcome, Elliot! I look forward to making the better acquaintance of both you & your music.
Incidentally . . . I've written a viola sonata . . . you can ask Daniel (madaboutmahler) about it . . . .
Cheers,
~Karl
I'd love to have a look at it, is there a score available?
Regards,
Elliot.
Thanks for asking, Elliot!Quote from: karlhenning on March 01, 2012, 08:15:35 AM
Score of Fair Warning [Viola Sonata, mvt 1] (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg444980.html#msg444980)
MIDI of Fair Warning [Viola Sonata, mvt 1] (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg436576.html#msg436576)
Score of Suspension Bridge (In Dave’s Shed) [Viola Sonata, mvt 2] (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg444979.html#msg444979)
MIDI of Suspension Bridge (In Dave’s Shed) [Viola Sonata, mvt 2] (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg444978.html#msg444978)
Score of Tango in Boston (Dances with Shades) [Viola Sonata, mvt 3] (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg445883.html#msg445883)
MIDI of Tango in Boston (Dances with Shades) [Viola Sonata, mvt 3] (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg446478.html#msg446478)
Quote from: ElliotViola on February 28, 2012, 11:33:35 PM
I've been at RCM JD for a term now, and am loving it :D They had to fit me in as a late entry (I joined a term late) so they couldn't fit me into composition lessons, but I do class composition lessons as a compromise...
I am studying music, just AS at the moment, but I've dropped a subject to do extra practise etc.
Wow we appear to be fairly similar... :P
Glad you are loving the RCM JD so far! I have been at the RAM JD since September 2011, and have loved every second of it. I am at my very happiest there! :)
That's great. I am doing the Music GCSE at the moment, and really enjoying it. The music teachers at my school are so wonderful, especially my class teacher! :) They have signed me up for a new qualification that is even higher than an A Level which I shall hopefully be starting a year early (next year). I think that means I'll be able to drop a science! (triple science is compulsory at our school, but this may change things!)
We do seem to be fairly similar! You do like Mahler don't you? ;)
I'd be grateful if you took a look at my thread here on the forum too. I have posted several of my compositions there.
Quote from: karlhenning on March 01, 2012, 05:01:20 AM
Welcome, Elliot! I look forward to making the better acquaintance of both you & your music.
Incidentally . . . I've written a viola sonata . . . you can ask Daniel (madaboutmahler) about it . . . .
Cheers,
~Karl
Ah yes, Karl's viola sonata is a beautiful piece and has inspired me to compose a piece for viola as well! It is going to be an extended set of 'Fantasias' for viola and chamber orchestra. :)
Daniel
Quote from: karlhenning on March 01, 2012, 08:17:14 AM
Thanks for asking, Elliot!
At first I was skeptical, as this genre of music is not generally one I enjoy listening to...However, I persevered, and suddenly I got it. I really enjoyed these pieces, and may play them through with an accompanist if I get some time.
Thanks for sharing Karl!
Here is a recording of my Piano Prelude No.9 in C Minor (Op.3 No.9)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjd_mQXgMLo
This is part of a set of ten preludes, and all pay homage to other composers and are written in mostly in my style. I dedicated each one to a different musical friend, teacher or mentor.
Have a listen and post what you think!
Kind regards,
Elliot
Hi Elliot,
Sorry for taking a while to, but I am now listening to your piano concerto. It is a very beautiful, lyrical, romantic piece and I am really enjoying it very much! Will you be posting the other movements at some point? I'd be very interested to hear more.
The piece reminds me of the style I was composing a few years ago. :) I enjoyed it very much, Elliot!
Daniel
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 05, 2012, 12:07:43 PM
Hi Elliot,
Sorry for taking a while to, but I am now listening to your piano concerto. It is a very beautiful, lyrical, romantic piece and I am really enjoying it very much! Will you be posting the other movements at some point? I'd be very interested to hear more.
Why thank you Daniel! I have begun writing the second movement, but have gotten a bit stuck. I know exactly what to write, but haven't got the time to write it all down... There's only going to be two movements. They mirror each other, and the second is the opposite of the first (in terms of melody and style and emotion).
Quote from: ElliotViola on March 06, 2012, 06:17:26 AM
Why thank you Daniel! I have begun writing the second movement, but have gotten a bit stuck. I know exactly what to write, but haven't got the time to write it all down... There's only going to be two movements. They mirror each other, and the second is the opposite of the first (in terms of melody and style and emotion).
My pleasure, Elliot! :)
Good to hear. Ah yes... I hate being stuck... fortunately I have not been stuck at all recently. :) Well, it's good that you have all your ideas ready. Find that time to write it all down!
Good idea for the two movements mirroring eachother by the way.
I look forward to hearing more!
A new work. Sorry I've not been on here much, I've been madly busy with exams, concert arranging and whatnot.
Here's some Viola music- "A Suite of Preludes".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lCn2apXgEI
Quote...I conceived of the idea of this when playing the Bach Prelude to the Cello Suite No.3. I thought to myself- "The preludes to all the suites are the best bits. Shame there aren't any for the Viola..."
I decided to write a suite of 6 Preludes for the Viola corresponding to the 6 pieces in Bach's Suites and the 6 suites (and partitas) in Bach's collections for the Violin and Viola. There is the introduction, which is a prelude to the preludes, and 5 preludes that are also slight variations on the thematic material. The piece explores different moods, before ending with No.5- which starts as a chordal variation with a minor middle section, which instead of recapitulating as the theme from No.5; ends with the Introduction again.
I hope you enjoy this work!...
Hi Elliot! I do not know much English, so I can not send many many ... I really liked Your music! Best regards, Boris
Long time, no post!
Here's a video of me playing one of my compositions for Solo Viola - 'Elegy' in a seriously reworked composition style.
---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHfjYjVToGk <---
QuoteThis piece is an Elegy, a song of mourning. It is dedicated to the memory of Mr Michael Mercer, the man who left me a Viola, and initially inspired me to take the instrument up.
Without him, I would not be going to the Royal College of Music next year. This music speaks for itself, and I need not explain anything to do with the writing.
I hope you appreciate this piece, as it is incredibly personal and possibly the most intense piece I have written for Solo Viola.
Please let me know any thoughts.
Also,
Quote from: Guitarzzz on June 14, 2012, 09:13:37 AM
Hi Elliot! I do not know much English, so I can not send many many ... I really liked Your music! Best regards, Boris
Thanks Boris! Glad you like my music :)
Quote from: ElliottViolahttp://www.youtube.com/v/aHfjYjVToGk
Lovely piece, and a marvelously expressive performance, Elliott! Bravissimo!
Quote from: karlhenning on January 30, 2013, 10:22:05 AM
Lovely piece, and a marvelously expressive performance, Elliott! Bravissimo!
I agree with Karl, this is absolutely beautiful, Elliott! :)
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 30, 2013, 12:21:11 PM
I agree with Karl, this is absolutely beautiful, Elliott! :)
Thank you both! This piece means a lot to me. Despite some tuning issues (Violas are not suited to the Stratosphere...), I think this came off okay.
Compositionally it was a bit of a challenge, as it's a bit of a style shift from my previous stuff. but I'm really pleased with how it turned out in the end.
Plus it was a great place to film in as well! ;)
Indeed, a beautiful space, as well!
Saw the advertisement about your symphony on the Academy notice-board today, Elliot! Thought the name seemed familiar ;) It's very impressive you have got a whole orchestra together to play it. I'm sorry, not sure if I will be able to make the concert, but I wish you the best of luck and hope to perhaps hear a recording?
Quote from: madaboutmahler on February 09, 2013, 11:19:01 AMhope to perhaps hear a recording?
I'd like to share a recording of one of my new Choral Works. Below is the description of the piece from YouTube.
http://youtu.be/MiFWWLMrVYg
Quote'A Slumber Did my Spirit Seal' is a poem written by William Wordsworth. Set to music by Elliot Corner, aged 18, it was performed for the first time by the New Sounds Chamber Choir at All Saints Church, Hove on the 22nd February 2013.
The late John Forster, the dedicatee of this work, was a phenomenal man. He was a conductor, pianist and violinist, and used to conduct ULSO, Bournemouth Symphony and the Royal National Ballet. He was a professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music for 33 years, and was the head of Piano at Christ's Hospital School [Where I currently attend] for 9 and a half years.
John was a massive inspiration to me, and fuelled my drive to be the best I could possibly be. He introduced me to the Royal College of Music as well. I once considered giving up music when I was aged 14, but John convinced me not to. Without him, I am certain that I would not be playing today.
He died of terminal cancer 8 days before the premiere of this work, which was to be dedicated to him. He was hoping to attend. I dedicated the work to his memory instead, so that whenever I hear it, I can think of and remember the kind and wonderful man that inspired me so much.
"And as the symphony of existence comes to a close,
as the applause begins and the music fades,
this concert may be approaching its final moments,
But that little boy sitting in the front row, mouth agape, will grow up,
and the baton has already been handed over to the next generation,
and the music will never truly die."
Thank you John, I'll never forget what you did for me.