Schoenberg on Zebra

[ahanysz]

Here's Schoenberg's "Six Little Piano Pieces" opus 19 (but not for piano in this version!)



I might revisit Schoenberg next year, or look at some Berg or Dallapiccola or something, so I'm really interested in people's reactions to this one, and any suggestions for next time.

[fairlyclose]

Really like what you have done. Love hearing someone revisit the masters in a new context - I have a similar project with a pianist reworking pieces from Feldman, Stravisnky, Takemitsu etc
Love the visualisation too.

[ahanysz]

I have a similar project with a pianist reworking pieces from Feldman, Stravisnky, Takemitsu etc

Sounds cool. I'd like to hear that one too! Thanks for listening and commenting.

[fairlyclose]

I have a similar project with a pianist reworking pieces from Feldman, Stravisnky, Takemitsu etc

Sounds cool. I'd like to hear that one too! Thanks for listening and commenting.

PM'd

[tomtom1]

i would like to recommend to do some Hindemith.
2 reasons:
- his music is really good (imo one of the best "modern" classical composers)
- he was into electronical instruments - he even invented one early synthesizer-like instrument (the trautonium - but it is forgotten nowadays - you have to build your own if you want to play it ).

some examples you can hear under the following link:

[zerocrossing]

Nice! My only complaint is that some of the sounds are a bit bland and static. I’d love to hear more expression.

[ahanysz]

i would like to recommend to do some Hindemith...

Thanks, good idea! When I used to a lot of piano accompanying, I played most of Hindemith's Sonatas for Something and Piano. But that was a while ago now, and I haven't really explored the other chamber music. And I didn't know about the connection with the Trautonium. It's this set of pieces, right? https://imslp.org/wiki/Des_kleinen_Elek ... h%2C_Paul)

I'm a terrible procrastinator, so don't hold your breath. But it's now on my to-do list. Hopefully some Hindemith coming up in 2023 or 2024 :-)

[ahanysz]

My only complaint is that some of the sounds are a bit bland and static. I’d love to hear more expression.

This is a really interesting comment. Thanks for being honest!

"Bland and static" is a bit how it sounds to me when these pieces are played on the piano. It's a fine line between being bland versus being tranquil and reflective. For the Zebra version, I've tried to get a lot of subtle movement into the sustained notes -- but I guess it's too subtle for your taste? Mostly I'm working with volume and vibrato, and sometimes adding a bit of filter drive to give more edge to the sound.

Are there any techniques you'd suggest to make it sound more expressive? Can you think of other recordings in a similar style that would be a good model for me?

[tomtom1]

It's this set pf pieces, right?

Yes. There are more works of him for the Trautonium. But i have never found the scores ( there is a concert + strings, and a "Langsames Stück und Rondo" - which is very beautiful, at least the first movement).

Jehan Alain came to my mind, too... I don't know if you know him - mostly well known in organist circles. (But there are some piano works, too.)

I'm a terrible procrastinator, so don't hold your breath. But it's now on my to-do list. Hopefully some Hindemith coming up in 2023 or 2024

Ha, ha ... it is your time. I think you are doing this in your freetime. So it is only up to you, when to start a project

zerocrossing wrote: ↑Sat Mar 12, 2022 5:34 pm
My only complaint is that some of the sounds are a bit bland and static. I’d love to hear more expression.

This is a really interesting comment. Thanks for being honest!

I think there are 2 reasons:
- the used sounds (they are a bit static - maybe they could tolerate a little more subtle pitch shifting) some more volume and filter automation would not hurt either - but it is a small line... Also the sounds remind me off earliest synthesizers (not a bad thing, but i think a lot of ppl are used to more modern changing sounds)
- almost no effects at all (it could add another dimension to it - but also maybe hurts the original material... though decision )

I would like to recommend you the following piece. I don't know if you know it, but because i think you have a classical background, it could be something for you.


Sounds coming from left, from right, some reverb, some sharp sound here, some soft there etc...
(Ha, ha i just recoginized, the man who did the visual score was my music theory professor in the university)

[ahanysz]

Thanks again tomtom1, you've given me a lot to think about here.

[jancivil]

well, this is different.
very musical! The sounds remind me a bit of Frank Zappa basement music (when he didn't have a record contract ca '77). Or early Synclavier FM.

I was afraid it would be a very different kind of synthesizer approach with a lot of resonance fuzzing it all up.

[StudioDave]

You definitely get points from me for your choice of music, these pieces are great favorites here. As regards Schoenberg's short piano works I prefer these over the more widely "appreciated" Op.33x.

Your orchestration works most of the time but I admit to pretty much loathing that breathy-wood-flutish lead. Sorry, my bad. The portamenti added a nice touch. Overall, the synth adds some interesting colors to the music, and some of the part writing is enhanced by it. But I admit (again) that I miss the harder outline of the piano. Maybe blend something edgier as well ?

Btw, I also sequenced these pieces long ago with Voyetra's Sequencer Plus. Might still have the MIDI files. I have other things from those days, including some by Morton Feldman, Terry Riley, Elliott Carter, Stefan Wolpe, and others. I learned a lot by transcribing the notation into the sequencer. Note by note.

Good work, keep going.

dp

[ahanysz]

The sounds remind me a bit of Frank Zappa basement music...

I hadn't heard the basement music before. Thanks, that was fun to listen to!

[ahanysz]

...loathing...

To be honest, as a musician I'd rather be loathed than ignored! At least it sounds like you found it interesting.

I'm not sure if I can learn much from your reaction to the lead sound, or if it's just one of those unfortunate differences of taste. But I'll keep saying "edgier" to myself and see if it makes a difference next time. Thanks for the encouragement.

Glad you liked the portamenti. One of my piano teachers used to make swooping gestures over the keyboard and ask for the suggestion of portamento even where it's physically impossible. He saw it as a characteristic gesture for Schoenberg especially (even though he did prefer op 33a).

Btw, I also sequenced these pieces long ago with Voyetra's Sequencer Plus...

I had to look that one up. I didn't realise DAWs had been around for so long!

[StudioDave]

Btw, I also sequenced these pieces long ago with Voyetra's Sequencer Plus...

I had to look that one up. I didn't realise DAWs had been around for so long!

Probably a stretch to call it a DAW but it certainly was a sequencer, MIDI-only though. Quite powerful too. I still use it on my Linux machines, it runs very well with a DOS emulator.

dp