Questions tagged [composers]
Composers is a tag that describes questions about individual composers and their works. For matters of composition itself, see 'composition'.
70
questions
2
votes
0
answers
88
views
Why the similarity between these sections from Tchaikovsky and Saint-Saëns?
I noticed that part of Saint-Saëns' Africa (1891) sounds very similar to Tchaikovsky's Concert Fantasia (1884), and was wondering whether they were friends/contemporaries during their lives so would ...
- 121
1
vote
0
answers
139
views
I want to learn transcribing music, where should I start? [closed]
I found a music notation app called Musescore, I fell in love with exploring it and started recreating music scores from another user's score for my practice, and also I started to learn video ...
- 11
8
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Does anyone actually compose using Lilypond? And do people usually compose by line or bar/beat?
It is really annoying and tedious and slow. Are people using it to compose from scratch? Is it meant for composing from scratch, or as a music engraver ie. COPYING or TRANSPOSING etc. and NOT write ...
- 89
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
Examples of neutral lines
I have been reading Alan Belkin's book "Musical Composition". In the first chapter titled motifs he mentions the use of what is called "Neutral Lines" which are parts between ...
- 135
2
votes
2
answers
109
views
Regarding the music notation symbol "simili"
I have been researching the music notation symbol "simili" after coming across it in the piano score for Debussy's "Passepied" from the "Suite bergamasque".
The score ...
- 23
0
votes
1
answer
92
views
Which of the great composers wrote expression markings in German?
I am used to expression markings being written in Italian. For example this list is mostly Italian (and English). I recently learned about a high school level music exam where they have to learn the ...
- 241
2
votes
1
answer
130
views
Should a conductor ever assume that they will be premiering a piece?
Here's the story. A conductor I know offered to look at my work. He shared with me what he thought would work particularly well. I found an old sketch and tailored to fit the strengths of his [...
- 4,669
-2
votes
2
answers
193
views
Doubt on the women production in "classical music" [closed]
Just to be very clear about my question. When I wrote the question I was thinking in:
I heard that John Williams was inspired by Gustav Holst's "The Planets"
I wanted to find similar pieces ...
- 273
2
votes
1
answer
250
views
What differentiates Mozart from Clementi as composers for piano?
Mozart and Clementi were composing for piano in similar styles at the same time and both were considered greats of their day.
The contemporary view, broadly speaking, is that Mozart is the superior ...
- 82.8k
3
votes
0
answers
139
views
Did Stravinsky ever work backwards?
I've always been intrigued by this little passage in Stravinsky's "Fireworks" (op. 4). It seems to me to be many things all at once, each masterfully handled. It's a nifty little canon, a ...
- 4,669
3
votes
1
answer
161
views
Do composer writing groups exist?
I was listening to a lecture series aimed at young (university-level) writers. The instructor, who was himself a successful, well-known, published author, gave real-world advice to his students both ...
- 4,669
3
votes
1
answer
144
views
Who chooses an orchestra's repertoire?
Who chooses the repertoire for a large, state-level orchestra (or the orchestra of major city)?
In my experience, in smaller amateur orchestras the conductor is relatively easy to contact (via email), ...
- 4,669
1
vote
2
answers
263
views
Why do I always hear the Zelda theme in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major?
In the first movement of Tchaikovsky's Op. 35, Violin Concerto in D Major, in the very soft part at the middle of the song (07:19 in this Yehudi Menuhin recording), I've always heard the Zelda theme. ...
- 967
3
votes
1
answer
193
views
Does it have a name what John Williams is doing in these pieces (and lots of others)?
I noticed a very common thing John Williams does.
My knowledge in music theory is pretty limited.
The only thing I could name are lots of passing notes and chromaticism? - but maybe there is a special ...
- 41
1
vote
0
answers
62
views
Where to find modern Romantic style piano composers? [closed]
I've been enjoying Chopin, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Rach and other composers in the Romantic style, specifically piano solos and occasionally trios. I particularly like Chopin's Ballades, Nocturnes and ...
user77122
2
votes
3
answers
678
views
Composers who use mathematical / algorithmic approaches in their compositions? [closed]
First, I am not a musician, just a hobby programmer who tries himself on mathematical compositions with python.
I am experimenting with mathematical techniques to create sheet based music, and have ...
- 203
6
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Do the world-renowned classical composers ever seriously modify their compositions after their works got published by publishers?
Do the world-renowned classical composers ever seriously or in minor ways modify their music compositions after their works got published by publishers and after their works are already openly ...
- 901
4
votes
1
answer
317
views
Where did Scriabin define his note to color mapping?
I'm searching for the root source of Alexander Scriabin's note color mapping.
Wikipedia states in: Clavier à lumières
that it is located in the score of Prometheus: Poem of Fire.
But, but, but in ...
- 143
3
votes
2
answers
125
views
Did Nicolas Gombert compose a clean change of note or slides as endings in his motets?
A member of the Facebook group Barbershop Harmony said that in live performances of Gombert motets, the Bass will randomly drop an octave on the last chord, within one syllable, whilst the other ...
- 39
0
votes
2
answers
550
views
Does Mozart use music theory, and if so, what type of music theory? [closed]
I have heard various people argue that we are taking rules in music theory too seriously these days, often taking them as strict rules (such as the use of V-I cadences to end pieces), while earlier ...
- 453
2
votes
4
answers
168
views
What is sufficient information to identify a classical music piece?
I am a software engineer, and I am downloading Public Domain Classical Music. The original filenames are an inconsistent mess, and I would like to correct that. I have some metadata at my disposal, ...
- 211
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How would one go about composing a Tintinnabuli piece?
I've been doing some research on the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt lately, known best for his simple yet highly emotive Tintinnabuli compositions. The theory behind it is incredibly dense and difficult ...
- 229
7
votes
9
answers
1k
views
Can an original composition be an arrangement?
Sometimes I'll see on discogs.com a song will say string arrangements by so and so... and it's an original song by them.
Can original compositions be arrangements?
What makes an arrangement?
Can ...
user69656
2
votes
1
answer
53
views
Catalog for Mikhail Glinka's work?
Is there any existing effort to categorize Glinka's compositions?
Like András Szőllősy (Sz.) and László Somfai (BB.) for Béla Bartók's works, I have noticed quite many sites providing catalog number ...
- 273
2
votes
1
answer
306
views
Bach Reference in "The Penitent Man Will Pass" [from Indiana Jones]
I was recently listening to the composition John Williams - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Penitent Man Will Pass and was wondering if the first few notes of the theme of that composition are ...
- 131
2
votes
3
answers
556
views
Mapping from 26 alphabets to notes
For instance, the name HAYDN is mapped to the note sequence BADDG in Ravel's "Menuet sur le nom d'Hadyn". And the name CLARA is mapped to CBAA in Schumann's Piano concerto. Why is that the case? Is ...
- 193
-2
votes
3
answers
821
views
Any classical music written for dancing?
I thought about it the other day - Virtually all popular music in the 20th century was written for the dance floor.
Is there any classical music written specifically for dances? I think I don't know ...
- 121
9
votes
3
answers
423
views
Unintentional plagiarism while composing
I have recently started composing using some knowledge that I got after a few months of studying counterpoint and harmony (well it is more like trying to compose). And I have mentioned that quite ...
- 1,151
4
votes
1
answer
57
views
Is there a way to record music with a collaborator remotely and live?
Is there a way to record music with a collaborator remotely and live? Appreciate the help!
- 143
1
vote
0
answers
457
views
Did Beethoven write any modes other than the Ionian / Aeolian / Lydian modes?
The Ionian and the Aeolian modes are considered major and natural minor keys, and all composers used these modes all the time, including Beethoven, who also wrote Lydian mode in one of his string ...
user53472
0
votes
3
answers
171
views
To compose music, do you have to be able to hear?
I am asking this question out of sheer curiosity. Ludwig van Beethoven was deaf but still made some amazing songs. Just like Beethoven, do your ears have to work normally (Like not deaf), to be able ...
- 2,202
1
vote
1
answer
252
views
What did Ligeti mean by 'shimmering effect'?
Stephen A. Taylor, Chopin, Pygmies, and Tempo Fugue: Ligeti's "Automne a Varsovie", Vol 3.3., Online Journal of the Society for Music Theory.
I looked up 'shimmering' on ODO. David Bruce explains ...
user26407
3
votes
3
answers
312
views
Combining forms to make a new musical form
Has there ever been a composer between Baroque and early Romantic periods (within piano literature) who created a new form based on a combination of previously separate forms into a new iteration or ...
- 31
-1
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is it possible that Beethoven (after turning deaf) “heard” all of his symphonies in a different key? [closed]
According to this article on cmuse.org,
Even though Mozart is the only Western musician and composer who was explicitly acknowledged as having perfect pitch, Bach, Händel, Chopin and Beethoven are ...
- 91
2
votes
2
answers
540
views
minimalist compositions [closed]
Thanks for all the responses. It struck me that the work of Reich and Glass was/is mathematical in arrangement. If LaMonte Young and Terry Riley started the movement on the coast then Reich and Glass ...
- 37
1
vote
1
answer
146
views
Who did introduce the mediant keys in to music harmony progression?
Which composer(s) introduced as the first time mediant chords and mediant keys in their compositions - or in which period the use of this kind of modulation was coming up?
- 25.7k
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
are there piano pieces where the hands play in different keys?
Do you know music for piano where the two hands don't have to play in the same key?
- 25.7k
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Distinguish music devices: Sequencer, Launchpad, Sampler, Synthesizer
I've been having a hard time figuring out function of these below music devices:
1. Beatstep sequencer
2. Launchpad | Ableton Push
3. Sampler
4. Sequencer
5. Synthesizer
For example, if I use ...
- 243
1
vote
0
answers
445
views
How to describe unmistakable similarity in two Andrew Lloyd Webber songs?
So, I'm a very elementary music student with a theatrical background, and I want to ask a professor about what I hear as a very marked similarity between a couple of songs from different Andrew Lloyd ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
263
views
Has anyone else composed for the Mahler Hammer?
The title pretty much sums it up: Has anyone else (other than the composer for whom it's named) written music that incorporates the "Mahler Hammer™"?
Some more links:
Walt Martin's blog about ...
- 1,244
2
votes
1
answer
122
views
Single composer sheet music book -- name on each piece?
It seems that whenever there is an album (book of sheet music) and all the pieces are from a single composer, the name is not repeated with each piece.
I wonder, is this a strict rule? Especially, ...
- 2,357
14
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Why do music directors use keyboard (or similar) instruments for composing music?
I have seen that most of the film music directors use keyed music instruments for composing music. I hardly saw directors use other instruments like strings or wind instruments for the same. What ...
- 910
13
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why is Debussy's remark brilliant (on going out and smoking, at the start of Beethoven's developments)?
From: Charles Rosen. Critical Entertainments. p. 117 Bottom - 118 Top.
In the same way, attacks on Beethoven could be profound and even persuasive, and would continue to be so after his death ...
user26407
0
votes
2
answers
178
views
Industry Standard for Psychological Mapping of Emotion to Musical Keys
I have found several references to map a key to a psychological feeling or psyche archetype. Is there an industry standard for musical scoring?
- 119
2
votes
1
answer
614
views
How much math did Iannis Xenakis understand?
Paul Griffiths wrote on 2011 Feb 5:
Iannis Xenakis, the Greek-French composer who often used highly sophisticated scientific and mathematical theories to arrive at music of primitive power [...] ...
user26407
0
votes
1
answer
364
views
How much math did Pierre Boulez understand?
David Schiff MM (Manhattan School of Music, 1974), DMA (Juilliard, 1979) labels him mathematician:
I would propose a different model of Boulez's career: the typical trajectory of a mathematical ...
user26407
55
votes
11
answers
44k
views
Why isn't there a classical composer like Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart today? [closed]
Why there aren't composers writing in a classical style today?
Why don't we hear of classical composers today like we do of Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart?
My question may be strange, but I am really ...
- 705
1
vote
2
answers
420
views
Can one's musical ‘ear’ be trained with practice and dedication? [duplicate]
These great composers of the past: Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and my personal favourite Elgar, all lived in a time where they had only a piano to work out their various symphonies ...
- 2,676
4
votes
1
answer
239
views
Messiaen Prelude Colors
According to wikipedia, each of Messiaen's 8 preludes is associated with various colors.
1 La colombe (The dove) Orange, with violet veins.
2 Chant d'extase dans un paysage triste (Song of ...
- 171
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
Piano finger apparatus in history or film
Can anyone recall the movie where a piano player was using an apparatus to strengthen (or stretch) their ring finger. I keep picturing AMADEUS but i can't find references. If not, does any one know of ...
- 1