Molding a section

I have been holding to my goals for this week.  Since Sunday I have been composing at least one hour each day.  It has been a very productive time for me.  I was able to join together 2 sketches I had been working on, I decided on a title and I have solidified my vision for this piece.  Over the last few days I have been working on the next section.  I started off with a blank slate trying to create melodic ideas and motives on which to bases this section.  From there I selected the parts that I liked and tried to expand them.  Today I was able to sketch out the beginning of this section.  The next step is to compose a transition so that I can combine this section into the piece.  This will probably be my focus for tomorrow.

I am really happy with my progress.  After the work I have done this week, I believe that finishing this quartet by the end of March is an attainable goal.

Goals and Progress

My goal for this week is to compose at least one hour each day.  The time spent will be in addition to the compositional-related activities such as reading, listening and score study.

One thing I have learned as a composer is that there are times when you have to push through and make time to compose.  Whenever I take a break from composing and I have a difficult time getting back into it, I like to create that goal.  During the first couple of days back I often feel as if I am forcing things out.  Sometimes I will struggle and sit frustrated with my progress, but everything I do during those days is important.  I need to remind myself that I can always go back and revise, expand or edit the work I did.  The act of composing is a beneficial thing.

Today at the end of my studio time, I was thinking about the scope of the piece.  This is something that I believe a composer should often do.  Then this thought came to mind.  This thought helps to define my intent for Shadows of Dreams.  Here is that thought:

Sections float in and out like disjointed dreams.  Different textures and feelings permeate the various scenes.  Yet there is something oddly reminiscent, like a unifying element.

Listening Journal: February 16-22, 2009

György Ligeti - Musica Ricercata (1953) for piano

György Ligeti - Études, Book 1 (1985) for piano

György Ligeti - Études, Book 2 (1988-94) for piano

György Ligeti - Études, Book 3 (1995-2001) for piano

Kaija Saariaho - Nymphéa (1987) for string quartet and electronics

György Ligeti - Apparitions (1960) for orchestra

Harrison Birtwistle - Carmen Arcadiae Mechanicae Perpetuum (1987) for orchestra

Billy Joel - Suite for Piano (Star-Crossed), op. 8 (2001)

Status of the composition

Today was my first good day composing in quite a while.  I spent a lot of time revisiting my piece and thinking about the direction.  I almost feel that I spent too much time thinking.  I was starting to become indecisive and I started to doubt what I was doing.  I was able to let go and push forward with what I was trying to do at first.  In my composing session, I was able to connect the 2 sections that I was working on and now I have about 3-1/2 minutes of music.

The other "breakthrough" I has today was the title.  For the longest time I have been working without a title.  I do not know if that was causing a subconscious mental block, but I feel as if I had a hard time thinking of the piece as a real composition without some sort of title.  I have decided to title this piece Shadows of Dreams.  It is funny, but after I wrote the title down and started to think about it, the doubts I had earlier in the session seemed silly.

I think I am at a point where I need to push through and continue to work on this piece.  I need to remember that I can always go back and rewrite sections that don't make sense, or do not fit later on.

Put on hold

This is my first posting in over a month.  This is also my first posting this year.  I have not been neglecting this blog or my composing.  There have been a series of events which have led me to take an unexpected break from composing.  First of all, the holidays.  During the holiday season i find it hard to make time to compose.  Like many of you the holidays are a busy time, so I had to put some things on hold.  Just after the first of the year, I was asked to work overnight shifts for two weeks to help a store, within the company I work, remodel their linens department.  Any time I work overnight shifts, I find it difficult to do more than sleep, work and try to wake up; especially when my 20 minute commute turns into an hour commute.  Well, the overnight shifts have ended and I have returned to a so-called normal work schedule.  After a week or two of playing catch up with my obligations I am now able to return to composing.  Starting this week I will resume my regular updates and it is my hope to finish my flute quintet by the end of March.