First, we will listen to Neil’s piece as an audio presentation only:
Let’s look closely at the cover art that Neil created for his piece!
Now let’s listen to Neil’s piece again as we follow the score:
Here are some of the pieces that inspired Neil to write a Theme and Variations piece. You may enjoy adding these to your own personal listening list. The Van Cliburn performance of the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody is one of the great treasures of Western music!
Mozart: 12 variations on Ah vous dirai-je, Maman (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Paganini: 24th caprice:
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (based on the caprice):
For those who wondered, here are the descriptors for each variation:
Theme - Spirited, Var1 - Spirited, Var2 - Drudgingly, Var3 - Rollicking, Var4 - Like a Love song, Var5 - Joie de Vivre (French phrase meaning enjoyment of life)
Also, I would love name suggestions for the piece.
What a great presentation, Neil. I think everyone enjoyed it immensely! I hope everyone will continue our discussion here on Discourse. The Theme and Variations form is such a wonderful vehicle for expression and a great audience-pleaser. Thanks for including links to three variations from historic composers who inspired your piece.
The Hilary Hahn recording of the Paganini is sublime. It’s a thrill to be able to follow along on the score as she plays. Any of you who are writing for violin (or any of the strings for that matter), notice all the wonderful articulation and technique markings. Like Neil, we can all learn from the masters!
Everyone, please drop in and add your comments and feedback!
Hey Neil - I really enjoyed your recent presentation - it was fantastic! I am constantly immersed in music, so it is hard for a new piece to keep my attention, but yours kept me engaged from the first note to the last. I also enjoyed moving through different music styles and time periods, as Bettina pointed out.
If you’d be interested in writing a short piece for trumpet, I’d be glad to record it in my studio.
Has anyone come up with a good name for this great piece?
Neil, it was interesting that you created your cover art with AI. Could anyone give us the names of good AI tools for creating similar high-quality images?
Great presentation Neil. Sorry I couldn’t be there for all of it. I think your piece is amazing. I loved the way you tied in musical styles from many different eras in your piece. Keep up the great work!
