Henning's Headquarters

[Scarpia]

If you do go pantonal, here's my suggested tone row (I take a strict interpretation of the rules).

C G F# C  F E C D# C# G# A C# A# B C# D

[karlhenning]

This is early in the process, so I pray you think kindly . . . I'm having fun with it, though.

[Scarpia]

This is early in the process, so I pray you think kindly . . . I'm having fun with it, though.

The last page shows a certain lack of inspiration.  Do we really have to sit through all those measures of rests? 

[karlhenning]

Well, when you're right, you're right; I'd better fill out that space.

[karlhenning]

The bus this morning was a little more rumbly than usual. And my pen was starting to dry up. Still got some music written, though.

[karlhenning]

I'm covering more ground without tidying up what's come before . . . again, practice mercy . . . .

[Luke]

Is this a fugato I see before me.....?

[karlhenning]

Don't know what came over me ; )

[karlhenning]

Well, I got a very little more work done on Fair Warning this weekend; but largely I took the weekend off.  Sketched some more on the bus ride in; will see if I cannot build up a head of steam here.

[karlhenning]

Now, here's kind of a funny thought.  While I am warmly interested in a disc mentioned elsewhere, of some Martinů cantatas with chamber accompaniment, I know that I want to write my own cantata (mentioned here) before I listen to them.  OTOH, I have ordered in probably about eight discs of other Martinů music, to which I may well listen before I have completed the viola sonata with scarcely a concern.  Perhaps because I already have a sufficiently strong notion of the viola sonata, and this because I am currently at work on it (even when I am an apparent dud over the weekend). Who knows?

[karlhenning]

Brahms
Chorale Preludes, Opus 122
Nicholas Danby
Recorded at the Church of the Immaculate Conception
Mayfair, London

I love music and performances like this, for listening makes me want to write more organ music.  It's an impulse I must resist, or rather, re-channel into the pieces on my writing-desk at present.  But all the same, a great feeling.

[karlhenning]

The twisty, noodly viola passage which I sketched over three brief sessions yesterday (morning bus ride, part of lunch break, afternoon bus ride) works every bit as well as I imagined it;  and I added light-touch piano gloss here and there.  Color me inordinately pleased with the result.

This morning I started the next section, peaceful dissonant chords in the piano at a relaxed tempo.  The piece has at last taken on its own existence, and it seems all I need to do is . . . show up.

[karlhenning]

Okay, noodly notes and beyond . . . just past half finished with this first movement of the viola sonata (which is to say, that big double-bar at the bottom of page 9 is a lie . . . .) ::

[Saul]

Okay, noodly notes and beyond . . . just past half finished with this first movement of the viola sonata (which is to say, that big double-bar at the bottom of page 9 is a lie . . . .) ::

A Mp3 can do wonders you know...

[Luke]

Saul, pay attention - it's only in a half-finished state, Karl's 'baring all' in showing us the piece in this condition, but he's not going to be able to have a recording of it yet. Use your eyes and your internal ear! 

[Cato]

Saul, pay attention - it's only in a half-finished state, Karl's 'baring all' in showing us the piece in this condition, but he's not going to be able to have a recording of it yet. Use your eyes and your internal ear!

                       

0:)

[karlhenning]

Yes, Luke, it does feel strange "publishing" a work-in-(halting)-progess, but then, most of us are mates here : )

[Luke]

                       

0:)

Where's the smiley for 'my thoughts exactly'?

[Luke]

Yes, Luke, it does feel strange "publishing" a work-in-(halting)-progess, but then, most of us are mates here : )

Absolutely - the same reason I don't feel shy about putting up my deeply flawed early efforts: because (IMO) these threads oughtn't to be merely a composer's shop window - mentioning no names - but a glimpse into his workshop and a chance for him to explore and explain and ramble.... That's why I value mine so much, anyway.

[Saul]

Saul, pay attention - it's only in a half-finished state, Karl's 'baring all' in showing us the piece in this condition, but he's not going to be able to have a recording of it yet. Use your eyes and your internal ear! 

Got it...