Twenty Four Preludes

[StevenOBrien]

Greetings!

I've just finished writing a cycle of twenty four preludes for piano in every key. This work has been quite a labor for the past 7 months of my life, and I'm absolutely overjoyed to finally be able to share it with you all. I hope you all enjoy it and I look forward to hearing your thoughts, questions, feedback, suggestions, etc. etc.


Listen
http://soundcloud.com/stevenobrien/sets/twenty-four-preludes-op-2/

Score
http://www.scribd.com/doc/94567505/Twenty-Four-Preludes-Op-2

Etc.
MP3s: http://www.steven-obrien.net/Portfolio/Twenty%20Four%20Preludes%20Op.%202%20%5BMP3%5D.rar
Sibelius file: http://www.steven-obrien.net/Portfolio/Twenty%20Four%20Preludes%20for%20Piano%20Op%202.sib
MIDI file: http://www.steven-obrien.net/Portfolio/Twenty%20Four%20Preludes%20Op%202.mid

As I assume the majority of you will not want to take the time to listen to the entire 55 minute work, I've ordered the preludes into a list of my own personal recommendations, separated into fast and slow preludes for your convenience. My aim was to write the cycle in such a way that made it acceptable to be listened to as both a set of self standing pieces and also as a complete cohesive work, so if you enjoy listening to them separately, I strongly recommend you go back and take the time to listen to them as a set, from start to finish.

Fast
1. Prelude No. 7 in A major
2. Prelude No. 8 in F# minor
3. Prelude No. 17 in Ab major
4. Prelude No. 9 in E major
5. Prelude No. 14 in Eb minor
6. Prelude No. 22 in G minor
7. Prelude No. 2 in A minor
8. Prelude No. 24 in D minor
9. Prelude No. 4 in E minor
10. Prelude No. 3 in G major
11. Prelude No. 18 in F minor
12. Prelude No. 16 in Bb minor
13. Prelude No. 13 in F# major

Slow
1. Prelude No. 1 in C major
2. Prelude No. 21 in Bb major
3. Prelude No. 23 in F major
4. Prelude No. 20 in C minor
5. Prelude No. 12 in G# minor
6. Prelude No. 10 in C# minor
7. Prelude No. 11 in B major
8. Prelude No. 15 in Db major
9. Prelude No. 6 in B minor
10. Prelude No. 5 in D major
11. Prelude No. 19 in Eb major


Thank you for taking the time to listen!
-Steven O'Brien

[bhodges]

Hello, Steven! While I don't have time at this moment to listen, I want to welcome you to GMG, and encourage you to post something about yourself in the "Introductions" section of the board.

Meanwhile, good luck with your composing!

--Bruce

[StevenOBrien]

Hello, Steven! While I don't have time at this moment to listen, I want to welcome you to GMG, and encourage you to post something about yourself in the "Introductions" section of the board.

Meanwhile, good luck with your composing!

--Bruce

Thanks! I've made a post.

[Karl Henning]

Will check these out a bit later, with pleasure.

[madaboutmahler]

Will make sure to have a listen to these at some point myself too. Welcome!

[Philoctetes3]

I'm probably not the right person to offer up a critique, as my musical education is nil, but I did give these a listen, along with your three piano sonatas, and only one word came to my mind: derivative. This was especially the case in regards to the piano sonatas, and while all of the music was quite lovely. It did nothing to stick itself out, from my point of view. I've already heard those sounds elsewhere. Again though, I'd like to reiterate that I'm an unschooled buffoon, so take this as a grain of salt.

[StevenOBrien]

I'm probably not the right person to offer up a critique, as my musical education is nil, but I did give these a listen, along with your three piano sonatas, and only one word came to my mind: derivative. This was especially the case in regards to the piano sonatas, and while all of the music was quite lovely. It did nothing to stick itself out, from my point of view. I've already heard those sounds elsewhere. Again though, I'd like to reiterate that I'm an unschooled buffoon, so take this as a grain of salt.

Who are my preludes derivative of?

[Philoctetes3]

Who are my preludes derivative of?

For me they sounded a lot like Chopin's, but with a tinge of another composer that I can't recall right now. I'll post that composer when I remember it though.

[North Star]

I checked your third sonata, and there's certainly a Mozart influence - not a bad thing at all, mind you. The preludes (what I listened of them) sound surprisingly original, although Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and maybe minimalists may have influenced the piece.
Keep up the good work!

[StevenOBrien]

I checked your third sonata, and there's certainly a Mozart influence - not a bad thing at all, mind you. The preludes (what I listened of them) sound surprisingly original, although Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and maybe minimalists may have influenced the piece.
Keep up the good work!

Thanks, I'm glad you found them original!