Alma Mahler "Lobgesang" Revised for Voice/Orchestra by Bruce Turner

[@johnpcomposer]

I'm curious as to why so many of the compositions on your channel are devoted to re-writing the works of other composers or writing fantasies on other composers themes?

[@callmeBe]

Hey John. I'm pretty old, and don't have a huge amount of energy left, so if I have a template to begin with, I can follow it through if the fit is right. At the same time I am really giving a new face to a lot of these works (this tune by Alma for example), which I think offers a lot more to their value. (Not so much a few of the Gustav Mahler songs--they were pretty darn good to begin with). But, for instance, this work is a completely new version, with a lot of added character/attitude the original never had. And, I really enjoy doing that type of work. At the same time, John, I have written quite a bit of my own stuff. Quite a bit. But none of it fits into this Romantic style. I do have 7 of my own songs being virtually recorded right now "Songs about Death"--hey I am that age), were all of the music is completely original. Will be here in a month or two (at least parts). And you John? I don't know you. Will you introduce me to your music?? Thanks, Bruce

[@johnpcomposer]

@@callmeBe Well, online I never know anybody's age off the bat, and I'm often wrong. Your pieces are certainly compelling...and they aren't lacking in energy of gusto...I imagine most of your work is in score form...though music software has been around for decades. I did send a link to one of my pieces some days ago--in our discussion of your excellent Oration. I'm not sure how I would describe my style. I self-describe as neotonal. Often a finely held balance between consonance and dissonance...not averse to using a pantonal approach when it suits, but not interested in serialism...and follow a highly organic process that favors developmental progress...often using motifs, which have a habit of morphing into melodic forms and back again...harmonic richness over sparseness....contrapuntal textures feature prominently...but as the listener you will decide for yourself.

[@johnpcomposer]

@@callmeBe kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWHGlXeth8mfm9E

[@callmeBe]

@@johnpcomposer Sorry, I don't see any message. But I did listen to a number of your works, and again sorry, they are just beyond my knowledge and what I generally listen to. Out of all that I listened, I thought your "Andantino for String Quartet" was by far the most convincing. But for my limitations, maybe because the style is a bit more familiar to my ears? But nice, facile writing for the strings with some good motivic ideas. But what you do with this is just beyond my experience, so I can't comment. Your brass music I would really like to hear performed by the real instruments; the sound card you call simply can't begin to mirror real brass sounds. The other thing is, real brass can have a tremendous resonance (decay), and as you are writing you need to take that into account. A lot of times tempi is forced to become slower, and more spacing between the instruments needs to be allowed because the decay overlaps and affects other things as they begin to go on.. A performance would settle that concern immediately. (Yes, I am a frustrated trumpet player). And, it is not just a matter of reverberation; there is a thickness to brass instruments you don't have with the other instrument families, so spacing between the notes (especially in the bones and tubas and lower F horns) that looks good on a piano, or that would sound fine in the strings, becomes too thick and rich in the brass. I hope you have a chance to hear some of these works played by real groups? How is that all going for you??

[@johnpcomposer]

@@callmeBe Thank you for those insightful comments. Very good tips on the brass performance. Yes, I do plan on getting some better brass sounds for playback, that would help. And there actually is a brass quintet I've had in mind to contact about that. Would like to hear more about your work on trumpet. Do you write for brass too? I am on the go now, but will talk again.