Henning's Headquarters

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Before I saw that "transformative" comment, I had written to Karl that the piece offers the seeds of a concerto!  😇

Sweet! 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I think I'll lose the timpani right off, there being a chance that an orchestra which does not have the resources may be interested.

Hmmm....maybe don't limit yourself?  Just a thought...I'm sure that you know better than I in terms of experience.  Or maybe two versions?  Just a thought. 

PD

[Karl Henning]

Hmmm....maybe don't limit yourself?  Just a thought...I'm sure that you know better than I in terms of experience.  Or maybe two versions?  Just a thought. 

PD

Easier still, mark that part Ad libitum.

[Karl Henning]

Depending on how motivated I find myself, there is a chance I could wrap this up before my PT day off. I'm really just playing with fingerpaints in my scoring, and finding myself refreshingly pleased that it seems to work.

[Karl Henning]

Depending on how motivated I find myself, there is a chance I could wrap this up before my PT day off. I'm really just playing with fingerpaints in my scoring, and finding myself refreshingly pleased that it seems to work.

I am finding it personally an interesting and unusual endeavor. The piece is essentially glosses upon a monody, so part of me feels, "just stay out of the way of the original, and maybe you can't go wrong" (content with the Ur-text as I am.) Part of my experience, though is a kind of second-guessing, I'll stop working after a while and think, but is it garbage? Maybe the g-word is a shade harsh, but that's near the gist. But then, I listen to the extracted sound-file and I'm pleasantly surprised.

[Karl Henning]

Score needs tidying/finishing (for one thing, I have neglected the percussion, other than the timpani), but I think the piece is done.

[Karl Henning]

Score needs tidying/finishing (for one thing, I have neglected the percussion, other than the timpani), but I think the piece is done.

I've been listening to the sound file repeatedly (when not listening to Respighi, Weinberg, Lyatoshynsky or Janáček, that is) and I do think I like it.

[Karl Henning]

I'm mulling the quartet reduction of For You, Fuchsia, id est, Fuchsia Minor: two flutes, alto saxophone and double-bass. In the hope that we will indeed be able to field a Henning Ensemble, I've secured a King's Chapel date with Heinrich. Mark (my publisher) has been working on laying out the Opus 169 organ pieces both to show Jens and for publication.

[Karl Henning]

One ancillary benefit of uploading MIDI demos of as-yet-unperformed scores is that at times YouTube reminds me that they exist:

[Karl Henning]

I've been chipping away at the quartet, Fuchsia Minor. I am getting close to finishing it, but may not be able to put in the work until Thursday.

[Karl Henning]

Well, actually I found myself motivated, and so ....

[Karl Henning]

Tomorrow and/or Thursday, I'll proof/tweak the parts for Fuchsia Minor and share with the Ensemble. Not sure what the Opus 181 will be ....

[Karl Henning]

Well, actually I found myself motivated, and so ....

As I have noted, the bass licks were the last piece to fit into the puzzle, and essentially reflected a wish both artistic and collegial to do the right thing by Dave Zox, our prospective bassist. That said, the bass line is one of my favorite things in this wilful quirky quest to expand the reach of August Haze.

[Karl Henning]

Still no plans as yet for the Op. 182. But as Fuchsia Minor approaches completion (with a bow on) I have the 16 April 2024 King's Chapel concert in view. The double-bassist has not actually committed yet, so I may be getting out over my skis here, but ... what do I see on Facebook today but a pic I took as I was composing in the Park at post Office Square on my lunch hour six years ago, and a piece I had nearly completely forgotten: Nun of the Above, Op. 144 for clarinet, guitar and double-bass. Although there is a fine guitarist I know with whom I might collaborate (when I am again in condition to play) this quickly lay down to rest on the shelf. I see (also forgotten) that I prepared a flute/pf version, Op.144d (I have not yet done the deep dive to suss out Opp. 144a-c) which I've now sent to Dolores August, in case she may find it of interest. I easily see an Op. 144e for two flutes, alto sax and double-bass. Once the parts for  Fuchsia Minor are done and the piece sent out to my ensemble, I'll address myself to this adaptation of the Nun.

[Karl Henning]

(I have not yet done the deep dive to suss out Opp. 144a-c)

Okay, here's the tale of Nun of the Above (yet another chapter in the story of Karl writing a piece speculatively—yet with an eye to practical performance—and creating multiple versions, none of which seem to get performed, either):

Op. 144 cl/gtr/db written for myself, supposing I might enlist a guitarist and bassist.
Op. 144a fl/gtr/db adapted for Peter Bloom & Mark Leighton.
Op. 144b cl/pf
Op. 144c 2 cl/db as far as I can tell at this remove, prepared with the intent of creating a kind of electronic mix. This may be my "base" for the Op. 144e
Op. 144b fl/pf
Op. 144e (projected) 2 fl/ a sx/ db

I'm really enjoying revisiting the piece: it's a fun piece to play, if I could get anyone to play it.

[Karl Henning]

As I have noted, the bass licks were the last piece to fit into the puzzle, and essentially reflected a wish both artistic and collegial to do the right thing by Dave Zox, our prospective bassist. That said, the bass line is one of my favorite things in this wilful quirky quest to expand the reach of August Haze.

And, the MIDI demo:

[Karl Henning]

Okay, here's the tale of Nun of the Above (yet another chapter in the story of Karl writing a piece speculatively—yet with an eye to practical performance—and creating multiple versions, none of which seem to get performed, either):

Op. 144 cl/gtr/db written for myself, supposing I might enlist a guitarist and bassist.
Op. 144a fl/gtr/db adapted for Peter Bloom & Mark Leighton.
Op. 144b cl/pf
Op. 144c 2 cl/db as far as I can tell at this remove, prepared with the intent of creating a kind of electronic mix. This may be my "base" for the Op. 144e
Op. 144d fl/pf
Op. 144e (projected) 2 fl/ a sx/ db

I'm really enjoying revisiting the piece: it's a fun piece to play, if I could get anyone to play it.

Got good work on on the Nun adaptation today. Another couple of days of chipping away at it, and I'll be ready to send to the band.

[Karl Henning]

Got good work on on the Nun adaptation today. Another couple of days of chipping away at it, and I'll be ready to send to the band.

The score of the new Nun is done. Now to proof the parts.

[Karl Henning]

The score of the new Nun is done. Now to proof the parts.

And the MIDI demo:

[Karl Henning]

Well, actually I found myself motivated, and so ....

I don't think I'll worry about prepping parts until prospects of a reading emerge.