Thoughts on my 1st symphony:
Maybe I dont have to cut the symphony down as much as I thought. I took out the introduction for the main melody, and then all of a sudden everything flows a lot smoother. That´s only 1/2 minute, and in the end the length does not matter, rather the quality of the material obviously. Now the progression in the first part makes more sense, at least to me.
It came to me that this is only the 1st chapter, in a series of 3, of my symphony: "Skuggablóm" (Shadowflowers). I´ve been worried that people wont be able to fully comprehend the piece in the time it takes to perform it, regarding the amount of material found there, and therefor did I add this introduction I´ve now cut out. But in the making of the other 2 chapters I´ll be able to reprise material from the 1st one in a more prudent manner. Also, if everyone could "comprehend" EVERYTHING the first time they hear the piece, it wouldnt be much of an artwork, would it ?
I´m trying to outgrow my "fear" of repeting material in a piece. I always feel that I have to bring forth something new at every corner. Though that might make pieces very interesting it also can make them hard to "get". Schumann´s 4th symphony is a big influence when it comes to that. He is not afraid to repeat ... and gets away with it. I found a very interesting video clip on youtube where Herbert von Karajan is rehearsing Schumann's 4th with the Wiener Symphoniker
A very interesting video. Taken in 1953 if I´m not mistaken. Karajan is truly a remarkable conductor, a good study for us of a younger generation, or as one viewer put it: "I love that the rehearsal's momento never slowed. He kept them going constantly, never wasting a second. Brilliant!" Notice that there are no women in the orchestra, and the cellos sit in the middle, instead of the usual left nowdays (stage left that is).
Another piece is Beethoven´s 7th, second movement: Not only beautiful music, but an interesting video. Visual midi. Each line/color represents an instrument.
I want to cry everytime I listen to this. May I recommend large speakers or headphones? I have been listening to these symphonies now for almost a year with regular intervals and am still not bored with them.
All constructive comments and/or thoughts are welcome in the comment section below.
-All the best / Kær kveðja
Helgi Rafn
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