Music: The Gathering pt. II

Part One - Torekon, Cont'd
Well, I got the judge score & comment sheet for my tune, "Per'anai". It was a different judge from the one who took care of "Glowing Zone" (Links to both tunes below), and he seemed stricter. The score was less than that for "Glowing Zone", which was disappointing, but it was still better than what I got for my submissions last year. The judge didn't pull any punches with his comments, but he made some very detailed suggestions, which I appreciated. What I really found interesting was his recommendation to study the works of Joseph-Maurice Ravel (composer of "Bolero") for ideas on how to make my harmonic progression more interesting. (For the record, I have used "Bolero" as the basis for a tune I arranged for the orchestra, so I guess I've done that to some degree. Still a very interesting suggestion, though!) On the other hand, I was baffled by the judge's remark that my "simulated sax sound" didn't really fit the mood of the piece. (For the record, I used a real saxophone!!!) He went on to say that the tone of the sax over a minor triad progression made the tune sound too much like Japanese enka music. I can see where he's coming from with that, but I guess it's all a matter of taste.

Still, between "Glowing Zone" and "Per'anai", my results this year were a bit better than last year. I also learned some things. Better luck next time!

Part Two - Getting My Phil
Well, it seems that the repertoire for the next Kashima Philharmonic concert has been decided, at least for the time being. It includes:

• The first movement of Beethoven's 6th symphony, "Pastorale",
• Handel's "Music for the Royal Fireworks",
• The second movement from Haydn's 101st symphony, known as "The Clock",
• Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"

They're also doing a relatively modern brass fanfare I've never heard of and a strings-only piece I haven't yet identified.

"Pastorale" is musically challenging in the clarinet part, but I'm not too worried about it. "Music for the Royal Fireworks" is a Baroque-era tune (i.e. no clarinets), so it's not my problem. "The Clock" requires discipline, but it isn't difficult.

Then there's that Dukas monstrosity...

I've always loved "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and I even conducted it when the Ye Olde Academy orchestra did it, but it's nasty on the performers. It requires a lot of playing power in terms of endurance, control, and technique. The clarinet part quickly goes from occasional, percussive pops to flying all over the place at breakneck speed. I realize we've really only just started working on it, but I'm seriously worried. Especially with the recurring nerve problems I have with my left hand plus stiffness in my fingers on both hands, I have no confidence that I'll be able to do this. My fingers just won't move that way at that speed, especially over and over again in quick succession. I probably need new hands and a cerebellum upgrade to pull this one off. I'm more than happy to have a challenge like this to try to tackle, but...will I be able to do this in the end? Right now I have serious misgivings.

Then again, I expressed similar misgivings with the joint-breaking clarinet parts in the 1812 Overture and later with Smetana's "Vltava" ("Moldau"), and I did manage to pull those tunes off. I guess we'll see.