|
Critical Evaluation |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Overall Evaluation |
70 |
100 |
|
Appropriateness Lever |
0.7 |
1.0 |
The meandering nature of the melodic material to portray a fire
creeping along (perhaps) and the thumped bass chords to show the
threatening nature of the fire, are a bit obvious. As a ‘Prelude’ the
piece works well enough despite the material not being all that
inventive, it is at least reasonably atmospheric. BUT this was no raging
fire, just a small bonfire that almost, but not quite, got out of
control.
By: wobbie |
Score: 49 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Overall Evaluation |
61 |
100 |
|
Appropriateness Lever |
0.5 |
1.0 |
This piece was too static: the
chaos and the lightning strike all sounded like the smouldering embers.
The piece sounded to me as if it owed a lot to Bartok’s “Out of Doors
Suite” and the Night Music movement. Unfortunately, the fire
forgot to pep things up a bit. In general, the use of the piano was
fine, with many colouristic effects through the use of higher registers
to give an impression of the scene. What a pity you didn’t put some fire
into it - it could have been a winner.
By: Judge No. 1 (See Notes) |
Score: 31 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
Comments |
|
Complexity |
40 |
50 |
I loved your harmonies - they
seemed to strongly reflect impressionism. Scriabin comes to
mind. Your piece was very passionate and expressive. Overall, it
wasn't too complex, nor was it "not complex enough". I thought
that you did quite well in this area. |
|
Orchestration |
20 |
25 |
Good piano writing. Don't
forget about traditional techniques like scales and arpeggios -
they can add a lot of drama to your music! Also, your piece felt
a bit uncomfortable to play. There was a lot of "twisting
around" in bars 12-22. |
|
Composition |
15 |
25 |
Good use of harmony and
melody. It would have been helpful if you would have provided
some more information, however. I would have liked to see what
you had in mind when writing this. |
|
Relevance |
0.8 |
1.0 |
Without more information than
you gave as to what this piece "meant", I couldn't see how a lot
of what you did fit the theme. |
By: Judge No. 2 |
Score: 60 |
|
Peer Evaluation |
General
-
Complexity -
Not
much variation, but it felt like the same theme throughout, using
almost nothing but eights.
 
-
Instrumentation -
As I
said with the other piano solo, with it just
being a piano solo, it's hard to grade on this category. There isn't
a well-rounded use of the piano.
-
Composition -
I don't
know what to say at this point. It just seemed too slow for me to
grade anything.
-
Initial
Inspiration -
All I feel is
that there is no intensity within this piece, there is no tragedy. I
just feel creeped out when I hear this song and I can't hear what
the song has to do with the picture.
Specifics
-
Opening -
The
opening kind of creeps up on you. Kind of creepy and slowly.
Somewhat moderate. I don't really hate the ending, but I don't
really like the ending.
-
Middle -
I'm
feeling a bit indignant around these parts. Strange and
unknown. Again, very creepy theme.
-
Ending -
It was
hard to tell when the song ended. I wasn't sure if it had ended when
it did.
There is some
potential in this song, but it's not the right time for it.
From the composer of:
Abysmal Flames |
Score: 43 |
|
From the composer of:
Affordable Wisdom |
Score: 78 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
Comments |
|
Complexity |
11 |
15 |
Hmm,
this one’s tough to judge. Although I can sort of guess what
part is depicting the lightning, smoke and smouldering embers
from listening carefully, I honestly can't say that reading your
description and added sheets gives me such a feeling. The ending
is especially weird and heavy, as I’d think of the smouldering
of embers as something that happens very quietly and subtly,
rather than with a big bang. However, the overall mood is not
extremely unsuitable for such a scene either, so I guess I’m
just not sure. =P There’s a rather varied use of the piano, so
‘orchestration’ is alright, but as for composition: to be
completely honest I think it's rather dull. |
|
Orchestration |
9 |
15 |
|
Composition |
9 |
15 |
|
Appropriateness |
14 |
20 |
|
Beginning/Start |
3 |
5 |
|
Middle/Climax |
4 |
5 |
|
Ending |
1 |
5 |
|
Overall Opinion |
7 |
20 |
|
Bonus/Malus |
none given |
|
From the composer of:
Blisters |
Score: 58 |
This piece has lots of discords... keep in mind that this kind of music
might not be that appealing to the public though. Maybe (you
should consider composing) a music that everyone can appreciate next
time.
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Complexity |
13 |
15 |
|
Orchestration |
12 |
15 |
|
Composition |
10 |
15 |
|
Appropriateness |
16 |
20 |
|
Beginning/Start |
4 |
5 |
|
Middle/Climax |
2 |
5 |
|
Ending |
2 |
5 |
|
Overall Opinion |
15 |
20 |
Bonus/Malus
The whole piece was just the same mood/No climax. |
-5 |
From the composer of: Fate of the Forest |
Score: 69 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
Comments |
|
Complexity |
17 |
20 |
You used some really great harmonies, but
you seem to rely too much on block chords and single-line
melodies |
|
Orchestration |
14 |
20 |
Again, your piano writing is extremely
simple, and while simplicity has its place, more creative use of
the piano seems appropriate here. |
|
Beginning |
5 |
5 |
The rising figure at the beginning of the
piece suggests wafting smoke, and the staccato chords suggest
cracking leaves (of course, the tinder for the fire), AND it all
sounds really cool. |
|
Middle |
3 |
5 |
The section starting at measure ten is
goes on for too long without really doing anything. The dynamics
you mark imply waves of sound, but it doesn't build too much.
The chords which follow this monophonic section are attractive,
but still don't keep the momentum up. |
|
Ending |
5 |
5 |
The return to the opening idea suggests
coming full-circle, which is nice. |
|
Overall Composition Quality |
20 |
25 |
This has potential to be a great piece,
but it lacks a middle. The piece floats and is pensive from
start to finish, and never builds up any real tension. A section
with more harmonic movement and a different texture would make
it a much, much stronger work. |
|
Appropriateness |
16 |
20 |
The piece certainly summons fire to mind,
but the piece never quite reaches "forest fire" breadth. More
like a bonfire (which I don't mean disparagingly--it's very
"snapshot"-y, if that makes any sense.) |
From the composer of:
Forest Fire: A Brief
Tone Poem for Orchestra |
Score: 80 |
|
I liked the composer’s decision to leave out a melody. I feel (that) the
harmonies themselves, along with the contrasting articulations, were
enough to get the message across. I enjoyed the rising 5ths
that were heard at the beginning and returned at the end.
In some parts I’m reminded very faintly of Scriabin. Nothing about
this piece is overbearing; it’s not in your face, and while this is one
of its endearing aspects, I believe this to be contrary to what a forest
fire should be. Fires don’t give you moments of respite so you can
prepare for the next onslaught.
I could indeed picture a lightning strike at the start of the piece,
but I think this is due in part to the composer’s mention of such an
event.
This piece did a good job of exploring the piano’s capabilities and
timbres. While it’s very subdued, I don’t “hear” the composer
deliberately holding anything back. This style seems very natural and
easy, and personally I find that an admirable compositional quality.
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Overall Evaluation |
90 |
100 |
|
Appropriateness Lever |
0.65 |
1.0 |
From the composer of:
Inferno |
Score: 59 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
Comments |
|
Setting |
8 |
10 |
The mood is set perfectly,
and is set quite uniquely, yet with the same common idea of
hopelessness. I like the hints towards anger and a sort of
wandering about that indicates not knowing what to do next. |
|
Composition |
7 |
10 |
It's not always clear what
the composer is doing. There are a lot of hints that the main
theme is some cell of fourths, but there is no real climax,
where the listener would expect to hear this theme.
Clarity is a big issue. But I like the new, more modern sound. |
|
Orchestration |
5 |
10 |
Not many piano techniques
are used. It is almost always chords and occasional melodic
fragments that are plucked out. There is so much more this
instrument could add to this piece. |
|
Overall Score |
8 |
10 |
Very interesting
musically, although a little confusing. |
From the composer of:
Music for Trumpet and
Strings |
Score: 70 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Overall Evaluation |
86 |
100 |
|
Appropriateness Lever |
0.8 |
1.0 |
From the composer of:
Of Desperation,
Death, and Hope |
Score: 69 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Complexity |
11 |
15 |
|
Orchestration |
13 |
15 |
|
Composition |
9 |
15 |
|
Appropriateness |
10 |
20 |
|
Beginning |
1 |
5 |
|
Middle/Climax |
2 |
5 |
|
Ending |
2 |
5 |
|
Overall Opinion |
10 |
20 |
|
Bonus/Malus |
none given |
From the composer of: Tell Me About The
Forest |
Score: 58 |
Technical Elements [53/60]:
- Harmony:
Very interesting use of quasi tonal harmonies. I really appreciate
the detail that went into this element of this piece.
- Development:
Very good development. this piece builds on the material stated at
the beginning and we really get the feeling by the end that you’ve
said all you want to say with it. Perhaps you could have variated
more on that ascending quasi-arpeggiated pattern. It gets a touch
stale at some points.
- Orchestration:
Good job writing for the piano, especially by somebody who doesn’t
play the instrument. (For those of you who don’t play the piano, try
playing through the piece. There are some awkward fingering switches
that can be frustrating)
- Form:
It’s alright but not as solid as it could be. Your musical ideas
seem to wander a bit throughout it, but the introduction and the
conclusion are especially effective. Overall, perhaps this piece
could do with a better performance. i.e. Your pianist shouldn’t be
sight reading.
Musicality [20/20]:
-
The lack of a theme is a shocking compositional device, but I think
it works. This piece appeals to the musical scholar in me. Good job.
Relevance [10/20]:
-
Heh. You weren’t inspired by that picture at all, Who are we kidding
here?
Overall Thoughts [A / Excellent Work]. I
enjoy this piece.
From the composer of:
The Dance of the
Clumsy Bear |
Score: 83 |
|
Criterion |
Pts. |
Total |
|
Overall Evaluation |
30 |
100 |
|
Appropriateness Lever |
0.6 |
1.0 |
From the composer of:
The Wildfire Suite |
Score: 18 |
