On Wednesday I presented the first part of my new composition. I've selected a text in Finnish and have already set the first three lines with an instrumental introduction. The instrumentation is two violas, cello and countertenor. I'm very excited because I have a lot of ideas. I felt really connected to the poem as soon as I read it, and so far ideas have been flowing nicely.
I've separated the poem into three sections, which will allow me to develop particular ideas related to each (artificial) section.
This will be the first project I've written without piano in the ensemble, and already I feel like it's evolving in a new way. Without a piano I can remove myself from the performance aspect. I'm no longer limited to thinking of what my capabilities are. Obviously the capabilities of my performers are important considerations, but that comes about in different ways. In some ways I find this an easier way to compose.
On another note, I finally got my hands on the recordings of the last recital! I'm very impressed with the quality of the recordings. I thought we might lose a lot of the sound in the hall, but the mic managed to pick up some very minor details. I still think that the dream-encrusted window is best suited for a live, chamber music setting--actually, I think the performers are really the ones who are going to feel the piece the best. All in all, though I'm quite happy with how my Solitudes sound.
