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I have created this site in order to provide performers, listeners and composers with a description of a composer's experiences with the creative process. The posts will provide discussions of the inspirations, challenges, and successes of a composer from the inception of the piece to the culmination in performance. I will provide a link to where you can see and hear the works in progress. Comments and questions are always welcomed. They will not posted unless you grant me permission.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Neverland for Woodwind Quintet Movement 5 and 6

Movement V is the "Capture of the Children by Hook". The pirate theme that was introduced in movement 4 is now fully developed and appears in the Horn from measure 1 to measure 12 and then in canon between the oboe and Horn beginning at measure 13. A countermelody is introduced by the clarinet at measure 13 as well. As the intensity builds dynamically, the countermelody takes on more weight becoming offset with syncopation at measure 26. The fortissimo section at measure 38 uses an augmented version of the pirate melody simultaneously with the regular version, leading to the climax at the end.

Movement 6 " Peter to the Rescue" begins with the flute picking up the "tick-tock" from the poetry. Most of this movement is constructed from diminished 7th chords, both melodically and harmonically. Variation is achieved by varying the type of diminished 7th chord from fully diminished to half diminished. The subito allegro section at measure 9 represents the battle between Peter and Hook. The listener can hear a vague outline of the "Children's March" theme that was first heard in movement 4, transformed from a major triad to a diminished triad, alternating with fragments of Hook's theme as the children and the pirates do battle. The movement ends with the crocodile slinking away after he has swallowed Hook.

I export my Sibelius Music Notation file as a movie (new to version 7.5). I also use Noteperformer software for the sounds. These are sample sounds, but the software also includes an algorithm that reads ahead in the music and phrases the music according to context, therefore making the realization closer to live performance. I  upload these videos to youtube and embed the video after the poetry for each movement. I hope that this technology allows the reader to have an easier experience and a more realistic performance. To see and hear what I have discussed, go to http://www.cooppress.net/Neverland_WW5_blog.html

As always, your comments are appreciated.
Dr. B

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