GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Composing and Performing => Topic started by: Cato on December 31, 2016, 04:43:11 AM

Title: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 31, 2016, 04:43:11 AM
I think enough time has passed for anyone interested to listen to the work, so as of Feb, 8, 2017 I am closing it down and deleting the score and access to the MIDI realization.

Send me a message, if you intended to peruse the score and listen to the MIDI, but did not yet have a chance to do so.

Thank you to those who took the time to examine the score and comment.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 31, 2016, 05:06:36 AM
The generous praise is making me blush.  I am glad to have helped, the piece is highly engaging, so that work on the project (the typographical and proofing work on my part, that is) never became tedious, because I found the music ever rewarding, its crystalline austerity setting off the Psalm text with a rich poignancy.  The score has a ritualistic monumentality which I find powerfully impressive;  and I believe it no exaggeration to call it a major new contribution to the unaccompanied choral literature.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 31, 2016, 06:08:47 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 31, 2016, 05:06:36 AM
I am glad to have helped, the piece is highly engaging, so that work on the project (the typographical and proofing work on my part, that is) never became tedious, because I found the music ever rewarding, its crystalline austerity setting off the Psalm text with a rich poignancy.  The score has a ritualistic monumentality which I find powerfully impressive;  and I believe it no exaggeration to call it a major new contribution to the unaccompanied choral literature.

Many thanks for the compliment!

I should mention that the work is shorter than the original sketch indicated, with two sections cut, one an 81-bar extravaganza of nonuple polyphony toward the end, before the bell-like conclusion.  Given that the work already lasts 25 minutes or so, cutting those parts was not imprudent!  :D
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 01, 2017, 12:43:07 PM
Wow!!! I'm very excited about this! I look forward to hearing it live! It seems a very ambitious work to compose, and very ambitious for a choir to sing as well considering its length and complexity :o :)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on January 01, 2017, 03:32:21 PM
Quote from: jessop on January 01, 2017, 12:43:07 PM
Wow!!! I'm very excited about this! I look forward to hearing it live! It seems a very ambitious work to compose, and very ambitious for a choir to sing as well considering its length and complexity :o :)

Karl Henning is gently pushing the work, as I mentioned above.   8)

Thank you for the nice comments: as far as being "very ambitious," all I can say is that the original work would have been nearly an hour long, i.e. I simply had a certain conception for the structure in my head 45 years ago, and certain melodies of course, and did not really think about the length, and did not consider the work to be ambitious at all!   8)  When bringing it to fruition a year ago, I began to have second-thoughts about the length, and so cut it short by c. 100 bars.

And of course my mental choir has lungs like hot-air balloons, and can sing like Pavarotti and Callas !  ;)  However, in "orchestrating" the piece, I did stay conscious that singers need to breathe now and then!  In my earlier days, I may not have been so cognizant of that necessity!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: kishnevi on January 01, 2017, 03:51:15 PM
But an 81 bar extravaganza of polyphony does have appeal...
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 03, 2017, 04:50:51 AM
A gorgeous piece, Cato. Sounds even better now in Karl's realization. I listened to it twice yesterday and will listen again today.

Sarge
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 03, 2017, 05:01:15 AM
It's really an addictive listen, I think, Sarge.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on January 03, 2017, 05:05:56 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 03, 2017, 04:50:51 AM
A gorgeous piece, Cato. Sounds even better now in Karl's realization. I listened to it twice yesterday and will listen again today.

Sarge

Yes, Karl was able to tinker with the voices more than I could with my online program.

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 03, 2017, 05:01:15 AM
It's really an addictive listen, I think, Sarge.

Many thanks for the nice responses!

I must admit that the work at times sounds very dark and even foreboding, and the impetus (c. 45 years ago) was originally the opening, which appeared in my head one day.  But as the sketch proceeded back then, and as my fulfillment of the sketch proceeded, I discovered that a kind of persistent hopefulness is present.

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on January 01, 2017, 03:51:15 PM
But an 81 bar extravaganza of polyphony does have appeal...

Yes, it does!  :D   But I suspect that the section will remain in sketch form.

Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on January 05, 2017, 07:19:24 AM
Quote from: jessop on January 01, 2017, 12:43:07 PM
Wow!!! I'm very excited about this! I look forward to hearing it live! It seems a very ambitious work to compose, and very ambitious for a choir to sing as well considering its length and complexity :o :)

As I mentioned above, Karl has recommended the work to two choirs, one in Philadelphia.

We shall see what happens!

Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on January 10, 2017, 05:04:29 AM
In a private message, a member has inquired about the Solo Soprano part being perhaps too much for a singer, even a skilled opera singer.

The work lasts about 25 minutes, depending on the conductor's interpretation of Adagio and Largo in (mostly) 9/8 time.  I thought that there were enough periods of silence in the work for the Solo Soprano to rest, but...I do not really know if the work is too taxing for a good singer.

I told Karl Henning that the piece ultimately is centered around one bar, bar 163 (q.v.), and the Solo Soprano does need to have a High C ready for that, and the choir's intonation of their notes is also of course crucial.

If a performance is ever arranged, I suppose I will then discover whether two sopranos might be needed to divide the music.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on January 20, 2017, 08:07:53 AM
I have yet to listen, but will do so sometime soon. I always think it unfortunate that any creative person would destroy their work (this motif is also one subject of a new play I am thinking of - see my own playwriting thread). Even if many of us may not produce work that "survives" (whatever that means), it's a shame to deliberately accelerate the process. As appears from this thread, it is always possible that work we chose to give up has a future after all, and others may discover it and delight.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on January 20, 2017, 10:35:03 AM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on January 20, 2017, 08:07:53 AM
I have yet to listen, but will do so sometime soon. I always think it unfortunate that any creative person would destroy their work (this motif is also one subject of a new play I am thinking of - see my own playwriting thread). Even if many of us may not produce work that "survives" (whatever that means), it's a shame to deliberately accelerate the process. As appears from this thread, it is always possible that work we chose to give up has a future after all, and others may discover it and delight.

Thank you for the response!  I have been thinking of deleting access to the work, since the initial bit of interest seemed to have dissipated.

The manuscripts - especially the quarter-tone works - had become something of a catalyst for depression to me.  I had no time or hope for decades that anything would ever come of them, so why torture myself with their presence?  The few musicians who played a handful of them - or promised that they would - faded away.  Family life in the 1970's through the 1990's also prevented me from composing anything much at all, or in finding musicians who would give me a chance.   My children had no interest in them - and there is no sign that they would ever find interest in them.

I have also been writing stories since childhood, and decided that my creativity had a better chance of finding an audience in that direction.  As it has turned out, failure in that direction has been palpable, except in the eyes of my small coterie or readers, for whom I am most appreciative that they have invested their time in reading my efforts! 0:)

It is interesting that this musical effort (Exaudi me) has garnered a similar response, modest but enthusiastic.  I am of the opinion that this will suffice for both outlets of my creativity.  0:)
Title: Exaudi me by "Non-Composer" Cato
Post by: Cato on May 21, 2017, 02:56:56 PM
For new and newer members who have not had a chance to criticize the work:

Here is a link to the MIDI performance and an attachment with the score

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i9mlhnvdn88z7gv/Schulte%20Exaudi%20Me%20voix%20-%202nd%20mix%20-%2030%20Dec%2016.mp3?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/i9mlhnvdn88z7gv/Schulte%20Exaudi%20Me%20voix%20-%202nd%20mix%20-%2030%20Dec%2016.mp3?dl=0)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Thatfabulousalien on May 21, 2017, 03:53:11 PM
I'm listening  :)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on May 21, 2017, 03:56:57 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on May 21, 2017, 03:53:11 PM
I'm listening  :)

Many thanks!   0:)

Please keep in mind that a real performance for the opening bars with nonuple polyphony would be able to bring out the lines better.  The finale would sound better as well.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on May 22, 2017, 03:53:18 AM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on May 21, 2017, 04:19:48 PM
It's a very engaging work, very compelling. I'm quite stunned at it to be honest. The harmonic/melodic writing is so ethereal, elusive. I loved the dissonance and contrapuntal stuff, it was excellent, need I say more?   8)


I congratulate you on this achievement Leo! I can't wait to hear it performed now  ;)


Many thanks for taking the time to read the score and listen to the MIDI version!

A performance would be nice!  8)

Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 22, 2017, 04:17:39 AM
Aye, it would!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Robert101 on June 20, 2017, 08:01:59 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 22, 2017, 03:53:18 AM

Many thanks for taking the time to read the score and listen to the MIDI version!

A performance would be nice!  8)

It's very expressive. I like the way the harmonies flow-- shifting in intensity. Good work!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on June 23, 2017, 02:50:49 AM
Quote from: Robert101 on June 20, 2017, 08:01:59 AM
It's very expressive. I like the way the harmonies flow-- shifting in intensity. Good work!

Many thanks for taking the time to listen!

As a general rule, the harmonic function comes from the contrapuntal possibilities in the melodies: this is limited in the sections using only three notes (C#, E, G), but even there - I believe - a certain expressive power comes through.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on August 01, 2017, 04:23:21 AM
A nagging idea...

in 2018 Mrs. Cato and I will have been married 40 years: I composed the Wedding March for our Nuptial Mass.  The organist was no professional, so the march could not be too complicated, and even so, there were various blunders during the actual event.

I have been thinking of revising it slightly, and finding a decent organist to record it and offer it as one of the anniversary presents.  0:)

The manuscript did not survive the famous massacre of 1995, but everything has remained in my head.  $:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 01, 2017, 04:39:49 AM
I know a couple of organists we can ask to play it!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on August 01, 2017, 05:17:19 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 01, 2017, 04:39:49 AM
I know a couple of organists we can ask to play it!

Okay!  I will need to re-subscribe to NoteFlight to create the manuscript: to keep it a secret, I will need to buy some sort of gift card to buy the subscription, since Mrs. Cato oversees all of our financial transactions.   0:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on September 02, 2018, 03:04:01 PM
Quote from: Cato on August 01, 2017, 04:23:21 AM
A nagging idea...

in 2018 Mrs. Cato and I will have been married 40 years: I composed the Wedding March for our Nuptial Mass.  The organist was no professional, so the march could not be too complicated, and even so, there were various blunders during the actual event.

I have been thinking of revising it slightly, and finding a decent organist to record it and offer it as one of the anniversary presents.  0:)

The manuscript did not survive the famous massacre of 1995, but everything has remained in my head.  $:)

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 01, 2017, 04:39:49 AM
I know a couple of organists we can ask to play it!

Fate so far has been against me: no organist whom I or Karl have contacted in the past months has time or interest.

If you know of anyone who plays the organ fairly competently, and would like to make some extra money by playing and recording my little prelude (circa 3 minutes), please let me know your e-mail address via Personal Message, so that  I can forward the pdf.file and a "MIDI" version.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on September 05, 2018, 10:44:39 AM
Quote from: Cato on September 02, 2018, 03:04:01 PM
Fate so far has been against me: no organist whom I or Karl have contacted in the past months has time or interest.

If you know of anyone who plays the organ fairly competently, and would like to make some extra money by playing and recording my little prelude (circa 3 minutes), please let me know your e-mail address via Personal Message, so that  I can forward the pdf.file and a "MIDI" version.

I see that a good number of people, including new members, happen to be online now. so please read and pass the request on to any organist you may know.

Today, this polite "No" came from a local organist: Fate seems to be against me right now!  8) ;)

QuoteThank you for the email.  You're obviously a man of many talents!  I was not aware of your musical interests and abilities!  I enjoyed seeing/listening to the music file that you sent.  That piece was no small task to compose!   Unfortunately, I'm not sure that I have the time (nor perhaps ability) to learn the piece and to perform it for you.  The music is somewhat challenging, and I am also dealing with some double vision issues, (which makes it seem twice as challenging!).  (I had one eye surgery this summer and likely another one sometime later this autumn.)  If you can find someone else who would be willing to learn/perform the piece, they are certainly welcome to use the organ here to make that a reality.  And I do hope you can find someone who can do that.  I'm sure you would like to hear the piece in its completion, and on a pipe organ as it was intended to be played.  I'm sorry that I won't be able to assist you in that regard.  Let me know if you find someone who would like to rehearse/play it here for you.  In the meantime, congratulations on your upcoming anniversary.  Best wishes for many more!

One of the nicest rejections I have received!  :D 0:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?) + New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on November 15, 2018, 03:00:55 PM
Quote from: Cato on September 02, 2018, 03:04:01 PM
Fate so far has been against me: no organist whom I or Karl have contacted in the past months has time or interest.


If you know of anyone who plays the organ fairly competently, and would like to make some extra money by playing and recording my little prelude (circa 3 minutes), please let me know your e-mail address via Personal Message, so that  I can forward the pdf.file and a "MIDI" version.


Since we have a few new members who might not have seen this topic about my curious non-composing career, I thought I would again push the message about needing an organist.

Plus, some months ago, in a box of novel and short story manuscripts, there surfaced a few photocopies of some musical works from 50 years ago or so!  They survived the Great Purge of 1992, when I destroyed everything...or at least, I thought I had destroyed everything!

Among the works was one of which I at first literally had no memory!   ???  That was an unusual experience for me, because I usually have - in music! (not in everything, as Mrs. Cato will verify  :D   )  - nearly total recall. 

After mulling and stewing and simmering, I decided the work - despite my inability to remember hardly anything about it (a memory of sorts finally did arrive, that it was composed during a Christmas vacation, and a very snowy one at that) -  had enough merit that I would put it into a computer manuscript via the NoteFlight on-line program.

I have almost finished with the last movement: the work is for 2 violins (which was at first not clear, given that the photocopy had not preserved what the two treble-clef instruments were supposed to be) and a piano, which might make it seem like a trio, but the opus is more like a symphony for the three players.   ???  8)

I have of course revised it as I have entered the notes into the program: the manuscript contained some mistakes, and some impossibilities for the violins.  Here and there I expanded some sections, since it seemed too Webernian and needed elaboration.  Transitions here and there were added, and so on. 

So for the third time in the past few years, I have returned to (sort of) composing music, "sort of," because in this case I already had a complete manuscript, as opposed to the sketch for the Exaudi me.  Whether or not this will stimulate the itch to compose something ex nihilo in the 21st century, and not something based upon works from 50 years ago, who knows?

Probably not!

Certainly nobody is knocking on the door to demand a concerto or symphony!  8)

Anyway, stay tuned!   0:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 16, 2018, 05:48:11 AM
Very interested in the development of this reconstruction.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?) + New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on November 29, 2018, 03:13:57 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 15, 2018, 03:00:55 PM
Since we have a few new members who might not have seen this topic about my curious non-composing career, I thought I would again push the message about needing an organist.

Plus, some months ago, in a box of novel and short story manuscripts, there surfaced a few photocopies of some musical works from 50 years ago or so!  They survived the Great Purge of 1992, when I destroyed everything...or at least, I thought I had destroyed everything!

Among the works was one of which I at first literally had no memory!   ???  That was an unusual experience for me, because I usually have - in music! (not in everything, as Mrs. Cato will verify  :D   )  - nearly total recall. 

After mulling and stewing and simmering, I decided the work - despite my inability to remember hardly anything about it (a memory of sorts finally did arrive, that it was composed during a Christmas vacation, and a very snowy one at that) -  had enough merit that I would put it into a computer manuscript via the NoteFlight on-line program.

I have almost finished with the last movement: the work is for 2 violins (which was at first not clear, given that the photocopy had not preserved what the two treble-clef instruments were supposed to be) and a piano, which might make it seem like a trio, but the opus is more like a symphony for the three players.   ???  8)

I have of course revised it as I have entered the notes into the program: the manuscript contained some mistakes, and some impossibilities for the violins.  Here and there I expanded some sections, since it seemed too Webernian and needed elaboration.  Transitions here and there were added, and so on. 

So for the third time in the past few years, I have returned to (sort of) composing music, "sort of," because in this case I already had a complete manuscript, as opposed to the sketch for the Exaudi me.  Whether or not this will stimulate the itch to compose something ex nihilo in the 21st century, and not something based upon works from 50 years ago, who knows?

Probably not!

Certainly nobody is knocking on the door to demand a concerto or symphony!  8)

Anyway, stay tuned!   0:)

Yesterday the Fourth Movement of New Year's Resolution (the title remains a mystery: I have no memory of why the work has that name) reached a conclusion.

It is a "trio" for two violins and a piano.

I am rechecking the score at the moment: this may take a day or two.  The MIDI provided by the music program is at times mediocre to annoying, the latter for various reasons, one of them because it often does not follow the dynamics in the score, e.g. a decrescendo to ppp is apparently not possible.  Another annoying aspect is that sometimes the voices are often "equalized" when they should not be, at others a voice is almost inaudible.

Anyway, stay tuned!  If I am pleased with all four movements today or tomorrow, I will probably put them on DropBox, or offer them to you via e-mail, along with the score (c. 80 pages).

Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: mc ukrneal on November 29, 2018, 04:14:20 AM
Karl would be pleased and I am mightily impressed myself. Though, mind you, it would ne nice to know what the title means...just a little thing... :)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on November 29, 2018, 04:58:58 AM
Quote from: mc ukrneal on November 29, 2018, 04:14:20 AM
Karl would be pleased and I am mightily impressed myself. Though, mind you, it would be nice to know what the title means...just a little thing... :)

Thank you!  And I wish I knew what the title meant: the only clue is a tiny memory that it was composed during a Christmas vacation, probably c. 50 years ago, a vacation which of course included January 1st and a few days into January.

I am not inclined, however, to dispense with the title.  8)   :D
Title: Re: A Work by CATO - Score and MIDI - New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on November 29, 2018, 09:26:57 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 29, 2018, 04:58:58 AM
Thank you!  And I wish I knew what the title meant: the only clue is a tiny memory that it was composed during a Christmas vacation, probably c. 50 years ago, a vacation which of course included January 1st and a few days into January.

I am not inclined, however, to dispense with the title.  8)   :D

What is happening with DropBox?  I cannot place anything there!  I have my two previous works, the Exaudi me, and the Organ Prelude, both scores and MIDI files, still stored there and available, but I cannot - so it seems - upload anything to it!

Unless I "upgrade" to a subscription!   ???

So...

I have the error-free (I hope!) score ready to go, except for "performance cues," which I see no need for, since there will most probably never be a performance.  The MIDI is also ready.

The files are too big to be attached here!

So, if you would like to hear and see the MIDI and the score, please send me a message with your e-mail address.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Ghost of Baron Scarpia on November 29, 2018, 09:35:38 AM
The free version of dropbox has has a very restrictive size limit, which you may have exceeded. The main advantage of dropbox is that it has a very good syncing utility, that mirrors your hard disc in dropbox (I have a paid Dropbox account).

There are other free alternatives. I have used MediaFire in the past. You can get a free account with a lot more storage than dropbox.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on November 29, 2018, 09:41:03 AM
Quote from: Ghost of Baron Scarpia on November 29, 2018, 09:35:38 AM
The free version of dropbox has has a very restrictive size limit, which you may have exceeded. The main advantage of dropbox is that it has a very good syncing utility, that mirrors your hard disc in dropbox (I have a paid Dropbox account).

There are other free alternatives. I have used MediaFire in the past. You can get a free account with a lot more storage than dropbox.


MediaFire!   Many thanks! I will look into it, but will need a few more hours! 

I can also share the files via "Google Drive," if people feel safer using that.   8)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO - New Year's Resolution mp3 File Now Available!
Post by: Cato on November 30, 2018, 05:30:30 AM
Finally!

The download worked!

Here is the link:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/eq4xhvds0scsm9i/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/eq4xhvds0scsm9i/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.mp3/file)

And again: here is the score.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/magnud8f7ehjyba/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/magnud8f7ehjyba/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! Review of New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on December 01, 2018, 07:50:33 AM
A review of New Year's Resolution was received this morning: the first sentence refers to the 9-tone scales indicated in the score, which avoid using D, E, and G, except for a cluster chord used in the bass of the piano (q.v. in the score).

Quote

Well, it sure takes massive willpower to avoid D,E and G, hopefully not for the rest of the year!
(The lowest tone clusters, however, don't count. OK, that's all right!)
The idea is fascinating, but not unlike using a particular raga or other exclusionary scales in Oriental music.
I did enjoy listening and reading the score at the same time, wondering about the formidable technique a pianist would need for those Prokofiev-like configurations.
Also there is the likeness to Ives, hoping you will take that as a compliment.
I liked the spacing of the chords, a lot of 4th's and 5ths, melodic and harmonic.
This shows as I may have said before, an instinctive grasp of acoustics.
Quite a bit of modern composed music may look good or paper but as for acoustical balance, sounds terrible.
I also appreciated the unity of material in the variations, reminding me of Beethoven's Op. 111.


Many thanks for the kind comments, and for mentioning Beethoven, Ives, and Prokofiev in relation to my little work!


Quote from: Cato on November 30, 2018, 05:30:30 AM

Here is the link:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/eq4xhvds0scsm9i/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/eq4xhvds0scsm9i/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.mp3/file)

And again: here is the score.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/magnud8f7ehjyba/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/magnud8f7ehjyba/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

Title: Re: A Work by CATO - New Year's Resolution mp3 File Now Available!
Post by: Cato on December 01, 2018, 07:52:02 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 30, 2018, 05:30:30 AM
Finally!

The download worked!

Here is the link:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/eq4xhvds0scsm9i/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/eq4xhvds0scsm9i/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.mp3/file)

And again: here is the score.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/magnud8f7ehjyba/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/magnud8f7ehjyba/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

Title: Re: A Work by CATO - New Year's Resolution mp3 File Now Available!
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 01, 2018, 08:12:42 AM
Listening now. So far so good.

Sarge

Title: Re: A Work by CATO - New Year's Resolution mp3 File Now Available!
Post by: Cato on December 01, 2018, 08:20:22 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 01, 2018, 08:12:42 AM
Listening now. So far so good.

Sarge

I hope the result equals the anticipation!   8)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! Hello Luke Ottevanger!
Post by: Cato on December 01, 2018, 10:02:07 AM
Send me a note, even if it is D, E, or G!   :D
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: vandermolen on December 01, 2018, 01:12:12 PM
I listened to 'New Year's Resolution' just now. I liked it, especially the opening movement and I liked the juxtaposition of different tempos in places. Powerful and thought-provoking music.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 01, 2018, 02:53:26 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on December 01, 2018, 01:12:12 PM
I listened to 'New Year's Resolution' just now. I liked it, especially the opening movement and I liked the juxtaposition of different tempos in places. Powerful and thought-provoking music.
:P

I must admit that I was wondering for a while, while tediously entering all those 32nd notes  :P  , whether or not I was wasting my time on something of little value.

But even if one person has been positively affected, then the effort was indeed worth it. Many thanks!  0:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: vandermolen on December 01, 2018, 10:58:54 PM
Quote from: Cato on December 01, 2018, 02:53:26 PM
:P

I must admit that I was wondering for a while, while tediously entering all those 32nd notes  :P  , whether or not I was wasting my time on something of little value.

But even if one person has been positively affected, then the effort was indeed worth it. Many thanks!  0:)
Not at all Leo. I thought I'd just sample the work (it was quite late last night) and I ended up listening to it all as it intrigued me - it's not like any other chamber music I'm aware of.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 02, 2018, 05:47:58 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on December 01, 2018, 10:58:54 PM
Not at all Leo. I thought I'd just sample the work (it was quite late last night) and I ended up listening to it all as it intrigued me - it's not like any other chamber music I'm aware of.

Now THAT is high praise indeed!  Many thanks for taking the time to listen!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO: Trio for 2 Violins, Piano: (Slightly) Improved Version
Post by: Cato on December 12, 2018, 06:49:58 AM
Greetings!

I have tinkered with the MIDI/mp3 and with the score here and there (e.g. I found some wrong notes upon the 29th through 37th examinations  8) (to quote Mrs. Cato: "Nobody would notice those except for you!"  ;)  ) and would like to offer this again to everyone: a Trio with the title New Year's Resolution, about 25-30 minutes long in four movements.

No, I still have no memory of what the title is supposed to mean!  The work dates from probably the late 1960's or early 1970's, and was composed (I think) during a Christmas vacation.

For those who did hear the earlier version, please try this one and see if your impressions remain the same...or not!  8)

The mp3:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)

And the 90+ page score!   ??? :o ??? :o  (This ain't no 18th Century Trio!   8)   )

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO: Exaudi me for 9 Voices (SSAATTBB + Solo Soprano)
Post by: Cato on December 12, 2018, 07:57:52 AM
Here is an mp3 MIDI Chorus "performing" my choral work Exaudi me: the score was edited by Karl Henning (he kindly added the two-piano rehearsal apparatus at the bottom).


Score:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file)


MIDI mp3 file:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file)

Earlier comments:

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 31, 2016, 05:06:36 AM
The generous praise is making me blush.  I am glad to have helped, the piece is highly engaging, so that work on the project (the typographical and proofing work on my part, that is) never became tedious, because I found the music ever rewarding, its crystalline austerity setting off the Psalm text with a rich poignancy.  The score has a ritualistic monumentality which I find powerfully impressive;  and I believe it no exaggeration to call it a major new contribution to the unaccompanied choral literature.


Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 03, 2017, 04:50:51 AM
A gorgeous piece, Cato. Sounds even better now in Karl's realization. I listened to it twice yesterday and will listen again today.

Sarge


Quote from: Robert101 on June 20, 2017, 08:01:59 AM
It's very expressive. I like the way the harmonies flow-- shifting in intensity. Good work!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO: Exaudi me for 9 Voices (SSAATTBB + Solo Soprano)
Post by: Florestan on December 12, 2018, 12:06:21 PM
Quote from: Cato on December 12, 2018, 07:57:52 AM
Here is an mp3 MIDI Chorus "performing" my choral work Exaudi me: the score was edited by Karl Henning (he kindly added the two-piano rehearsal apparatus at the bottom).


Exaudi me, hmmm... Now that Karl is on his way to full recovery, do you think the subject and his contribution were mere coincidence?
Title: Re: A Work by CATO: Exaudi me for 9 Voices (SSAATTBB + Solo Soprano)
Post by: Cato on December 12, 2018, 12:18:39 PM
Quote from: Florestan on December 12, 2018, 12:06:21 PM
Exaudi me, hmmm... Now that Karl is on his way to full recovery, do you think the subject and his contribution were mere coincidence?

Verrrry interrrrresting!   0:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 12, 2018, 02:20:53 PM
Quote from: mc ukrneal on November 29, 2018, 04:14:20 AM
Karl would be pleased and I am mightily impressed myself. Though, mind you, it would ne nice to know what the title means...just a little thing... :)

Verily!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 12, 2018, 02:43:51 PM
Quote from: mc ukrneal on November 29, 2018, 04:14:20 AM
Karl would be pleased and I am mightily impressed myself. Though, mind you, it would be nice to know what the title means...just a little thing... :)

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 12, 2018, 02:20:53 PM

Verily!


I suppose I could make something up!  :D

Sorry, but unless somebody invents Memory Juice specifically targeted for the era c. 1967-1977, I doubt we will ever know what it was supposed to mean.

Possibly - and this is only a vague impression which came to me while transferring the work from manuscript to printed score and (occasionally) revising things - I gave it the title simply on a whim, because I finished it around New Year's Day.


Again for those interested, the mp3:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)

And the score!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 26, 2018, 04:56:11 AM
A member has informed me that the files for New Year's Resolution will not open,

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)

Thank you!  And with the New Year only a week away, maybe this would be an appropriate work for your listening pleasure/meditation (?)   0:)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: North Star on December 26, 2018, 06:48:39 AM
Quote from: Cato on December 26, 2018, 04:56:11 AM
A member has informed me that the files for New Year's Resolution will not open,

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)

Thank you!  And with the New Year only a week away, maybe this would be an appropriate work for your listening pleasure/meditation (?)   0:)
I could download and open both the pdf and mp3 files without problems.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on December 26, 2018, 07:11:15 AM
Quote from: North Star on December 26, 2018, 06:48:39 AM
I could download and open both the pdf and mp3 files without problems.

Thanks for the verification!
Title: A Work Called New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on January 01, 2019, 04:50:09 AM
If you have not yet had time to listen to New Year's Resolution, I thought you might want to hear it today!

The score:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

The mp3 MIDI (which has problems following the score, but...)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)

Title: Re: A Work Called New Year's Resolution
Post by: Rons_talking on January 09, 2019, 10:07:45 PM
These are exciting works! You might want to spice up the rhythms a bit (more metric and tempo change within phrases, etc,) but it sounds like you're having fun in your writing and the music is better for it.







Quote from: Cato on January 01, 2019, 04:50:09 AM
If you have not yet had time to listen to New Year's Resolution, I thought you might want to hear it today!

The score:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

The mp3 MIDI (which has problems following the score, but...)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)
Title: Re: A Work Called New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on January 10, 2019, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: Rons_talking on January 09, 2019, 10:07:45 PM
These are exciting works! You might want to spice up the rhythms a bit (more metric and tempo change within phrases, etc,) but it sounds like you're having fun in your writing and the music is better for it.

Many thanks!  Yes, if the work ever goes anywhere, I intend on giving the performers more freedom (within limits) to introduce rubato: part of the problem is that the MIDI ignores or incompetently follows directions on slowing down or speeding up. 

Yes, it was fun to revisit this long dormant manuscript!  Again, many thanks for your reaction!

Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 16, 2019, 10:57:42 AM
I like it a lot, it has a good narrative across the four movements, there is a kind of geometric severity to the character which works very well, and the finale is a very good summation of the musical material and drive to a finish.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?) + New Year's Resolution
Post by: Cato on February 18, 2019, 02:47:46 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 16, 2019, 10:57:42 AM
I like it a lot, it has a good narrative across the four movements, there is a kind of geometric severity to the character which works very well, and the finale is a very good summation of the musical material and drive to a finish.

Thanks for the review, Karl!  I like that phrase "geometric severity" !   0:)   


For those who are new to Good Music Guide, or who have not yet had a chance to listen to New Year's Resolution:

The score:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

The mp3 MIDI (which has problems following the score, but...)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)


Title: Re: Exaudi me by "Non-Composer" Cato
Post by: Cato on May 27, 2019, 06:34:58 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 21, 2017, 02:56:56 PM
For new and newer members who have not had a chance to criticize the work:

Here is a link to the MIDI performance and an attachment with the score

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i9mlhnvdn88z7gv/Schulte%20Exaudi%20Me%20voix%20-%202nd%20mix%20-%2030%20Dec%2016.mp3?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/i9mlhnvdn88z7gv/Schulte%20Exaudi%20Me%20voix%20-%202nd%20mix%20-%2030%20Dec%2016.mp3?dl=0)

For newer members who perhaps have not noticed...

Two years have passed since I offered my cantata Exaudi me : the score can be downloaded on page 1 at Reply #13.

I happened to see the topic "Despair in Music" and thought my cantata would be appropriate for it.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: philoctetes on April 21, 2021, 06:41:11 AM
Regarding Exaudi Me:

In this piece, I hear the chromaticism of the Renaissance, Arvo Part and Frank Martin, and this is the kind of music that I feel should be playing in the Rothko Chapel – contemplative and meditative – a piece that won't allow you to relax and impels the audience to listen.

Your ability to compose a piece of this length and maintain coherence and cohesiveness is no mean feat, and the sound pierces my skull, which is my preference and why I tend toward contemporary and pre-classical period. The sound sticks and lingers, and it forms a near perfect loop, which, even if unintentional, is truly lovely.

Overall, Bravo! 😊
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 21, 2021, 06:51:18 AM
Quote from: philoctetes on April 21, 2021, 06:41:11 AM
Regarding Exaudi Me:

In this piece, I hear the chromaticism of the Renaissance, Arvo Part and Frank Martin, and this is the kind of music that I feel should be playing in the Rothko Chapel – contemplative and meditative – a piece that won't allow you to relax and impels the audience to listen.

Your ability to compose a piece of this length and maintain coherence and cohesiveness is no mean feat, and the sound pierces my skull, which is my preference and why I tend toward contemporary and pre-classical period. The sound sticks and lingers, and it forms a near perfect loop, which, even if unintentional, is truly lovely.

Overall, Bravo! 😊


Indeed, a magnificent accomplishment.
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on April 21, 2021, 01:39:37 PM
Quote from: philoctetes on April 21, 2021, 06:41:11 AM
Regarding Exaudi Me:

In this piece, I hear the chromaticism of the Renaissance, Arvo Part and Frank Martin, and this is the kind of music that I feel should be playing in the Rothko Chapel – contemplative and meditative – a piece that won't allow you to relax and impels the audience to listen.

Your ability to compose a piece of this length and maintain coherence and cohesiveness is no mean feat, and the sound pierces my skull, which is my preference and why I tend toward contemporary and pre-classical period. The sound sticks and lingers, and it forms a near perfect loop, which, even if unintentional, is truly lovely.

Overall, Bravo! 😊


Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on April 21, 2021, 06:51:18 AM
Indeed, a magnificent accomplishment.

Oh my!  I did not realize that Philoctetes had written this here!

His praise and Karl's are most humbling!

For newer members who want to give it a try - and for those who want to refresh their memories - here are the links:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file)

https://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file)

Many thanks again to Karl who edited the score and provided the 2-piano version at the bottom of the score!
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: philoctetes on May 03, 2021, 11:17:46 AM
Finally, listened to New Year's Resolution (I apologize for the delay).

If I was to compare this piece to the other one that I listened to (Exaudi Me), I find this one to be far more bold, but less-refined, in that your choices were much more daring, and any time we dare, therein lies the need, the demand, to revise. While I like both pieces, this piece (New Year's Resolution) feels like the more interesting one due to, in my estimation, compositional complexity, but I am also more partial to the instrumental lineup in New Year's Resolution, so that could also be playing a role. Now that the generalities are out of the way, let's get to the specifics.

First and foremost, while I used to study music theory/composition that was a lifetime ago, so do forgive me if I make any errors (also, Karl and others more up-to-date can correct any of my mistakes).

For me, the complexity comes from two places mainly, which I love: the piano, which is played almost entirely in a dissonant mode, and the strings, which are in continual contrapuntal conversation with each other, and when these are combined together, as you do here, what emerges is what I would consider dissonant counterpoint, which, I feel, is the most interesting version of counterpoint. The composer I kept thinking of while listening to this was Shostakovich, specifically in his Piano Concertos, but then the atonality would strike me clearer, and I would feel the sense of Schoenberg, specifically his Chamber Symphonies and his piano pieces, and here I admit a bias, as these are two of my favorite composers alongside my favorite pieces by them, so I am most definitely persuaded by your work if I am lumping/clustering it with theirs.

Most importantly for me, none of this felt like something that I had heard before. Yes, it is similar to the work I listed, but I would view this as an extension or a corollary to their work not mere repetition or derivation. I especially loved the ending where everything was brought together and the dissonance was heightened, and then the sudden shift back to the single-keyed piano playing the last of its haunting melody with the soft drone of the strings in the background, and finally the the last three individual notes played by the piano without accompaniment, and it ended with me wanting more, which is the ending that I prefer over all others.

In short, I loved it, I loved it all. :)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on May 03, 2021, 01:12:12 PM
Quote from: philoctetes on May 03, 2021, 11:17:46 AM
Finally, listened to New Year's Resolution (I apologize for the delay).

If I was to compare this piece to the other one that I listened to (Exaudi Me), I find this one to be far more bold, but less-refined, in that your choices were much more daring, and any time we dare, therein lies the need, the demand, to revise. While I like both pieces, this piece (New Year's Resolution) feels like the more interesting one due to, in my estimation, compositional complexity, but I am also more partial to the instrumental lineup in New Year's Resolution, so that could also be playing a role. Now that the generalities are out of the way, let's get to the specifics.

First and foremost, while I used to study music theory/composition that was a lifetime ago, so do forgive me if I make any errors (also, Karl and others more up-to-date can correct any of my mistakes).

For me, the complexity comes from two places mainly, which I love: the piano, which is played almost entirely in a dissonant mode, and the strings, which are in continual contrapuntal conversation with each other, and when these are combined together, as you do here, what emerges is what I would consider dissonant counterpoint, which, I feel, is the most interesting version of counterpoint. The composer I kept thinking of while listening to this was Shostakovich, specifically in his Piano Concertos, but then the atonality would strike me clearer, and I would feel the sense of Schoenberg, specifically his Chamber Symphonies and his piano pieces, and here I admit a bias, as these are two of my favorite composers alongside my favorite pieces by them, so I am most definitely persuaded by your work if I am lumping/clustering it with theirs.

Most importantly for me, none of this felt like something that I had heard before. Yes, it is similar to the work I listed, but I would view this as an extension or a corollary to their work not mere repetition or derivation. I especially loved the ending where everything was brought together and the dissonance was heightened, and then the sudden shift back to the single-keyed piano playing the last of its haunting melody with the soft drone of the strings in the background, and finally the the last three individual notes played by the piano without accompaniment, and it ended with me wanting more, which is the ending that I prefer over all others.

In short, I loved it, I loved it all.
   :)


Many thanks for taking the time to review this work: it began c. 40 years ago as incidental music for a play called New Year's Resolution.  The original music was destroyed in the The Great Purge of 1993 (or thereabouts), but I came across the sketches later in an archive, and decided to rework the music as the Trio, which became quasi-symphonic in size and form.


For those who would like to (re)visit the work:

A MIDI "performance" of it:


https://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)


The score:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)
Title: Re: A Work by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on July 08, 2021, 07:05:54 AM
Quote from: philoctetes on April 21, 2021, 06:41:11 AM
Regarding Exaudi Me:

In this piece, I hear the chromaticism of the Renaissance, Arvo Part and Frank Martin, and this is the kind of music that I feel should be playing in the Rothko Chapel – contemplative and meditative – a piece that won't allow you to relax and impels the audience to listen.

Your ability to compose a piece of this length and maintain coherence and cohesiveness is no mean feat, and the sound pierces my skull, which is my preference and why I tend toward contemporary and pre-classical period. The sound sticks and lingers, and it forms a near perfect loop, which, even if unintentional, is truly lovely.

Overall, Bravo! 😊




Quote from: Cato on April 21, 2021, 01:39:37 PM

Oh my!  I did not realize that Philoctetes had written this here!

His praise and Karl's are most humbling!

For newer members who want to give it a try - and for those who want to refresh their memories - here are the links:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file)

https://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file)


Many thanks again to Karl who edited the score and provided the 2-piano version at the bottom of the score!


Quote from: philoctetes on May 03, 2021, 11:17:46 AM
Finally, listened to New Year's Resolution (I apologize for the delay).

If I was to compare this piece to the other one that I listened to (Exaudi Me), I find this one to be far more bold, but less-refined, in that your choices were much more daring, and any time we dare, therein lies the need, the demand, to revise. While I like both pieces, this piece (New Year's Resolution) feels like the more interesting one due to, in my estimation, compositional complexity, but I am also more partial to the instrumental lineup in New Year's Resolution, so that could also be playing a role. Now that the generalities are out of the way, let's get to the specifics.

First and foremost, while I used to study music theory/composition that was a lifetime ago, so do forgive me if I make any errors (also, Karl and others more up-to-date can correct any of my mistakes).

For me, the complexity comes from two places mainly, which I love: the piano, which is played almost entirely in a dissonant mode, and the strings, which are in continual contrapuntal conversation with each other, and when these are combined together, as you do here, what emerges is what I would consider dissonant counterpoint, which, I feel, is the most interesting version of counterpoint. The composer I kept thinking of while listening to this was Shostakovich, specifically in his Piano Concertos, but then the atonality would strike me clearer, and I would feel the sense of Schoenberg, specifically his Chamber Symphonies and his piano pieces, and here I admit a bias, as these are two of my favorite composers alongside my favorite pieces by them, so I am most definitely persuaded by your work if I am lumping/clustering it with theirs.

Most importantly for me, none of this felt like something that I had heard before. Yes, it is similar to the work I listed, but I would view this as an extension or a corollary to their work not mere repetition or derivation. I especially loved the ending where everything was brought together and the dissonance was heightened, and then the sudden shift back to the single-keyed piano playing the last of its haunting melody with the soft drone of the strings in the background, and finally the the last three individual notes played by the piano without accompaniment, and it ended with me wanting more, which is the ending that I prefer over all others.

In short, I loved it, I loved it all. :)

Quote from: Cato on May 03, 2021, 01:12:12 PM

Many thanks for taking the time to review this work: it began c. 40 years ago as incidental music for a play called New Year's Resolution.  The original music was destroyed in the The Great Purge of 1993 (or thereabouts), but I came across the sketches later in an archive, and decided to rework the music as the Trio, which became quasi-symphonic in size and form.


For those who would like to (re)visit the work:

A MIDI "performance" of it:


https://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)



The score:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)



I am reviewing the reaction of Philoctetes - and offering the links again - because a different reaction came in yesterday from Germany.

The reviewer has known me for c. 30 years through my student exchange program with her Catholic school in Germany.  Some months ago I sent her a CD with these works, along with my Organ Prelude
, which latter piece she found very praiseworthy.

However, this was her comment about the Exaudi me and New Year's Resolution:


"The other two pieces were so spiritually disturbing that they sent my soul into great turmoil.  It is not so easy for me to endure such things."



Title: Works by CATO, Who Is NOT A Composer! (?)
Post by: Cato on April 18, 2023, 04:58:40 PM
After a nice meeting with several members today,I have revived this topic about works salvaged from the past: both date from c. 50 years ago and were reconstructed from sketches and memory.


The motet Exaudi me is for SSAATTBB and a solo soprano:



Quote from: Cato on April 21, 2021, 01:39:37 PMOh my!  I did not realize that Philoctetes had written this here!

His praise and Karl's are most humbling!

For newer members who want to give it a try - and for those who want to refresh their memories - here are the links:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/db79ny3b2wqd4re/Exaudi_Me_%25283%2529.mp3/file)

https://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/bgm446csffvy8hy/Schulte_Exaudi_Me_with_keybd_-_2016-07-16_%25282%2529_%25281%2529_%25281%2529.pdf/file)

Many thanks again to Karl who edited the score and provided the 2-piano version at the bottom of the score!




New Year's Resolution is a Trio for 2 violins and a piano, but is more like a symphony for three players.

Quote from: Cato on February 18, 2019, 02:47:46 AMThanks for the review, Karl!  I like that phrase "geometric severity" !   0:)   


For those who are new to Good Music Guide, or who have not yet had a chance to listen to New Year's Resolution:

The score:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/wnh1zexs3k2e9qv/New_Year%2527s_Resolution.pdf/file)

The mp3 MIDI (which has problems following the score, but...)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/y53ua1yug5by5cy/New_Year%2527s_Resolution_%25282%2529.mp3/file)





Please visit previous pages for more information and comments from fellow members!

I have just finished a novel, the third of "a kind of" trilogy, (i.e. one does not necessarily need to read them in succession, since each novel has a story different from the others) and am enthused abut starting a novel about Ancient/Early Medieval Rome c. 450 A.D.

It is possible I might reconstruct a 1960's Piano Sonata, or a Symphony for Organ from that time, or create other works...I am not yet sure, though, if I will be alone enough to concentrate on such things.