Ottevanger's Omphaloskeptic Outpost

[lukeottevanger]

Thank you very much, Karl - I am really pleased it meets with your musical approval so far; I hope the concluding chaconne rounds things off nicely for you. 

The trill you mention - and there's a similar one in the last movement - is, as you can guess, one of the passages I had in mind when I originally mentioned my unease about the clarinettinessitudity (sorry, I've just finished reading Giles Goat-Boy!) of the thing. The only thing that reassured me was that both passages are rather desperate climaxes, at the peak of crescendi, so at least there's no disjunction between the strain the performer may feel and the emotional tone of the music at this point. I find it hard to imagine how I could change either of these passages, but if it comes to it I will figure out a way!

Thanks once again.

[lukeottevanger]

...well, I suppose I could eliminate the trilling nature of things somehow - slow it down somewhat anyway - though I'd prefer to be able to leave as is if possible. And the pitches themselves are pretty vital...

[karlhenning]

Let it stand, until I check!

[greg]

there's no download button when I use Internet explorer OR Mozilla Firefox.....



that sucks, i guess it runs away when i open the page

[lukeottevanger]

Just so I know, is anyone else having the problems greg is having? In downloading from my links, I mean, I don't know about any other problems he has....

[Guido]

You need to register before you can download the sound files. Registration is free and quick though.

[karlhenning]

No problem to report here.

[greg]

You need to register before you can download the sound files. Registration is free and quick though.

oh, that's must be it, lol
wow, that was ridiculous 

off to register now! 

[karlhenning]

Just a note, Luke, that my experience with Mirage this week unfortunately confirms that I don't yet know a pianist to do the Canticle Sonata justice.  But I will, I tell you!  I will.

[lukeottevanger]

Not to worry, Karl! I've ignored the piece for the last few weeks, so that I can return to it fresh, and probably change one particular section of it, I think - I was never too happy with it, but couldn't find another way to make it work. Hopefully a little space will help. The point being, what you've seen isn't quite the finished article yet anyway.

By the way, have you had a chance to work out fingerings for those tricky high trills? I'm pretty sure I can change things around if necessary.

[karlhenning]

Thank you for reminding me of my promise to investigate that trill, Luke!  My recital this week rather preoccupied me, though I ought still to honor promises given 

I've got my clarinet with me today, as I'm rehearsing Schubert with a soprano at 11.  I think it will divert her if she hears me test-driving that trill 

[lukeottevanger]

I've got my clarinet with me today, as I'm rehearsing Schubert with a soprano at 11.  I think it will divert her if she hears me test-driving that trill 

You are playing The Rock to her Shepherd, I assume. That trill would scare off all the sheep, it is true.

[greg]

i finally remembered to sign up for that site... i'm getting there, Luke! 

[karlhenning]

You are playing The Rock to her Shepherd, I assume. That trill would scare off all the sheep, it is true.

You think sheep have the sense to take fright at that trill? 

[greg]

i was thinking of writing a big review about all of your pieces, but I'll just try to keep my thoughts short and simple since it's been like a week since I've even listened to your stuff and some of my thoughts have escaped me.

The Chant of Carnus- smashing ending! 
Through the Year- I've already commented on it before. I just LOOOOOOVE it! The more I listen the more I love it. The ideas are amazing, piano exercises, just white-note pieces and pieces with just glissandos, wow. And you manage to make it sound interesting and good at the same time.
Unfinished Study, X, A lullaby to silence- you know, these aren't even long enough to give thoughts on, lol
Sonata, Nightingale Sonata, Psyche Sonata- these 3 sonatas i liked, too. But there is one thing I wanted to mention, just one small detail. I think it was during the Sonata that I noticed parts where it sounded like the left hand was just playing simple two note figures that weren't really adding anything. You probably could've made a more interesting accompaniment in that part/those parts.
Correspondences - sweet! hehe
Four Paz Songs- I saved this one for last because..... it just might be my favorite. Seriously, the first piece especially is just perfect, every note. I don't know what to say other than it totally hits the spot. Four Paz Songs vs. Through the Year, which is my favorite- i don't know. I'm thinking Four Paz Songs, but Through the Year is also really good. hmmmmmmm


Anyways, I've been wanting to say that the music you have here sounds like stuff by a composer who should be famous! And Four Paz Songs and Through the Year is some of the best stuff I've heard on the internet. I don't understand why you don't have better recordings, or any recordings that are professionally done because I REALLY would like to have your music with better sound quality.

If everyone else had to choose a favorite work by Luke, what would it be?

[karlhenning]

Luke really ought to be better known.

[greg]

Luke really ought to be better known.

maybe he should get into rap....

[karlhenning]

If everyone else had to choose a favorite work by Luke, what would it be?

I've enjoyed everything I've listened to so far.  My favorite, though, must be the Canticle Sonata.

Once Luke resolves that small matter of the trill, I mean 

[greg]

I've enjoyed everything I've listened to so far.  My favorite, though, must be the Canticle Sonata.

is there a sound file of this?

[Maciek]

Here:

OK, I'm going to take my life in my hands. Be gentle with me:

Here's a link to the very low bitrate mp3 of the piece (2 mb for an 18 minute+ piece  ).

And here's the link to the score of the piece. Part of the deal is: download the mp3, you must download the score too I'll be checking....

Neither are quite finished, but I think I've kept up this silly charade of making you wait long enough and am conscious that the longer I make you wait, the more disappointed in the end product you will be.

The mp3 will have to do until the piece is played by a living, breathing clarinetist. Its flaws, of course, are obvious to anyone who reads the score alongside, which is exactly why I'd encourage you to do so. Just bear in mind how it was made, and that I only had time for one take of each part! There was quite a lot of cutting, pasting and amplifying to be done after the recordings were made, and clearly it hasn't always worked.

The score is not quite the final article. Above all I want to go through and re-input metronome marks; those in the score at present just made it sound OK on Sibelius; also dynamic markings etc. need to be fleshed out. You might notice that a couple of bars on page 6 are different in the clarinet part. The score needs to be updated with this alteration too. When the thing is finally done, I'll put it up and take this one down, but this gives a fair idea for now.


On with the flaming.