Thread: What Are You Working On Right Now? (Strings Version)

Originally Posted by ComposerOfAvantGarde

Are you sitting violin 1, cello, viola, violin 2? Or standard modern layout? Classical layout is better for that work to get the stereo effect especially in the "dialogue" between first and second violins.

We're not practising together until September I think, so I don't know.

I'm practicing Bach's D minor partita for the violin, while leaving the Chaconne for later. The chaconne isn't that bad technically, but it's the length and the sheer scope of the work that makes me think I'm not yet up for it. I'd love to be able to play it some day though, as it's my favourite piece piece of music.

Originally Posted by tdc

I've decided I'd like to take a stab at transcribing one of the movements from Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, (movement III - Forlane) on guitar, so that is what I am currently working on.

For now I've abandoned this project. I've got the first section (first 9 measures) sounding decent, but decent isn't good enough for Ravel! I've taken a side trek into some jazz guitar of late, I'll soon be returning to the Walton Bagatelle, and 2 Bach pieces (finishing up Lute piece BWV1006a and the Chaconne).

I'm crawling through the first movement of Nikita Koshkin's Sonata. Here's a video of it. I don't care for his interpretation--it's too fast and his tone colors are hampered by his Greg Smallman guitar!

^ Greg Smallman guitars are the best.

Originally Posted by ComposerOfAvantGarde

^ Greg Smallman guitars are the best.

For what? Smacking people over the head? Expensive flower pots? Then I agree! If you want a guitar with an even response and a wide range of colors, then look elsewhere in my humble opinion. The younger generation seems to prefer their nasal, plastic, one dimensional tone. Give me Bream's Hauser or Romanillos anyday!

Originally Posted by Kontrapunctus

For what? Smacking people over the head? Expensive flower pots? Then I agree! If you want a guitar with an even response and a wide range of colors, then look elsewhere in my humble opinion. The younger generation seems to prefer their nasal, plastic, one dimensional tone. Give me Bream's Hauser or Romanillos anyday!

Alright, you probably prefer traditional "Spanish" sounding guitars, but a lot of people I know really like the Smallman. I think it's one of those things that you either love or you hate.

I suppose, but there are some modern makers who use modified traditional techniques and make wonderful guitars, especially Daryll Perry in Canada. Marcin Dylla played one the last time I saw him--it was the most magnificent sound that I have heard in a long time. There's just something about the carbon/lattice combo that kills tonal possibilities and imparts a plastic/artificial tone to my ears. Yeah, they're loud, but wants a guitar with just one, loud, sh***y tone?

Bruch violin concerto no. 1. I just finished the Barber.

hmmm let's see. for concertos and pieces:

Brahms Violin Concerto
Chausson Poeme
Bach Sonata no. 2 for Solo Violin
Paganini Caprice 5
Wieniawski Caprice 4

Etudes:
Rode 24 Caprices
Mazas Etudes Brilliante Book 2
Kreutzer 42 Studies
Sevcik 42? Exercises on a Theme and Variations

For Orchestra- 1st Violin Parts for:
Wagner- Overture to Rienzi
Mendelssohn- Herbides Overture (Fingal's Cave)
Hanson- Merry Mount Suite

Wtf Villa-Lobos' étude no. 4 is one of the easiest pieces in my repertoire for this semester.

I haven't been working on anything new in ages, just refining existing pieces I've known for years. I have been focusing primarily on Rodrigo and Bach, because I seem to enjoy playing these two composers much more than others right now.

My existing queue or wish list as far as new pieces:

Finish Walton Bagatelle (I know)
Bach: BWV 1006a
Bach: Chaconne from BWV 1004
Rodrigo: Sonata a la Espanola
Bach: BWV 996
Bach: BWV 995
Bach: The rest of BWV 1004
Rodrigo: Sonata Giocosa

Henze's Drei Tentos is coming along nicely. I ought to do some more Henze next year.

Originally Posted by ComposerOfAvantGarde

Henze's Drei Tentos is coming along nicely. I ought to do some more Henze next year.

Just youtubed this piece, very nice stuff.

Originally Posted by tdc

Just youtubed this piece, very nice stuff.

Yeah it's probably one of my favourite works for guitar. I'm only doing the second movement this semester and then I'll play the whole work next year.