Notes From the Composer's Desk

Making Progress

steveharlos — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:20:17 +0000

After getting the slow movement in reasonable shape, I decided to turn my attention to a different movement. I had some sketches for a 1st movement and a scherzo, so I went with the scherzo and came up with something I think will work. The form is ABA, and the A is now complete. I am not yet sure what to do in the B section, something contrasting, of course. Now that I have a better idea for the overall structure, here is what I think will be the form of the work:
I. Slow introduction leading to Moderato 9/8 (Sonata form?) character: anxious
II. Scherzo–Allegro vivace 6/8 (with some parts in 2/4) character: angry, energetic
III. Lento–Doppio movimento–Lento (this is the one we read through) character: reflective
IV. Slow introduction leading to Allegro finale character: ????
By the way, the key of the work seems to be C major.

Slowly, the piece is taking form.

Back to the drawing board!

steveharlos — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 02:21:47 +0000

We had a readthrough of the 2nd movement on Thursday. I was happy with most of it, but I realized there a few things which need fixing. Naturally, I tend to think of the piece from the perspective of the piano bench, and as a result I am not always paying enough attention to the string parts. Also, since this is my first big string piece, I tend to underestimate what is technically possible, so the string parts are not challenging enough. So….
I began by moving some of the piano stuff into the string parts, which gives them more to do. Makes the pianist’s job easier, too. My next move will be to complete one of the other movements, using things I am learning from the movement we read. After I have gone through the other movements, I think I will come back to the 2nd movement and make some more changes.
It is a great luxury to be able to work with the performers in this way as I pursue my ideas in this piece. I have much work still ahead of me.

Here we go!

steveharlos — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:58:05 +0000

Dear reader, welcome!
You have stumbled upon my web journal on the subject of composing. Specifically, I started this blog as a journal of the creation of a quartet for piano and strings for Mount Vernon Music in East Texas. (I am their Composer In Residence, although I really reside in Denton, 100 miles away.)

The project is already well underway. My first idea for the quartet came in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina. As most of us who watched in horror, I was overwhelmed by the images of the devastation of that storm and the unimaginable scope of human suffering it caused. A mournful theme came to me one night (…night of mourning?) as I sat at the piano. I wrote it down, and it began to grow and develop in my mind. Soon, I had four pages of something, but I wasn’t sure yet what it was. * Since then I have added some more material and I am now working to create the form of what is becoming the quartet.

* Many musical ideas occur to me out of context, and I have to work to create the context. Some ideas take decades to find their context. The main idea for the slow movement of my flute sonata came to me around 1973, but it didn’t find its final form until 30 years later.

It may surprise you to learn that some composers do not start writing from the beginning of the music. I often write from the middle. Part of the process is figuring out where things belong. This sketch belongs probably already a few minutes into the piece.
See “first sketch of piano quartet”

Questions still needing answers—
Is this a traditional multi-movement work, or a continuous movement with different sections?
I am now leaning toward a more traditional 4 movement structure.

How long will it be?
At this point I am estimating 20-25 minutes.

Beginnning in August 2007, I have been on a leave of absence from my full-time job at the University of North Texas. The quartet is my main project for this time away from teaching and administrative duties. It also happens that the Dallas Symphony has less need of my services during this time, so my plan is to work intensively on the quartet from now until the end of the year. I intend to keep a diary of this time, and post updates here for any who may be interested to follow the progress of this work.