Julia's Prelude

composerclark

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Description

This one is short and sweet. For Julia, my daughter, who just had a birthday a couple of days ago. It's played here by my friend/colleague Tim Steeves, live, no editing.

It's just something I cooked up after teaching a class one day, kind of in a Schumann style, just for fun. Hope you enjoy it!

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Lyrics

(Instrumental)

Song Stats

Hits: 2521
Comments: 52
Fans: 14
Plays: 376
Downloads: 152
Votes: 21
Uploaded: Jan 15, 2006 - 09:51:33 AM
Last Updated: Feb 23, 2006 - 04:15:11 PM Last Played: Oct 13, 2009 - 03:44:08 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

piano (715), solo (84), classical (456), julia (2), clark (2), schumann (1)

Hardware:

G4 (to compose it)

Software:

Mosaic, DP (to compose it, but this is a live performance)

Comments

notsosweet	notsosweet said 1409 days ago (January 15th, 2006)
	Lovely Yes, you've done a wondferful job capturing a Schumannn-esque feel to this one. And it's simply lovely. Check out my latest song called The Broken Doll's Waltz

composerclark	composerclark said 1409 days ago (January 15th, 2006)
	Lovely Thanks very much, much appreciated! Cheers, Clark --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free mus Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

RickW	RickW said 1409 days ago (January 15th, 2006)
	Beautiful Very pretty Clark. Happy birthday Julia! God bless, Rick Check out my latest song called Picture of Perfection (MJRF)

composerclark	composerclark said 1409 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	Beautiful Thanks RickW! I'll forward your birthday greeting to Julia. Take care. --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free mus Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

kristyjo	kristyjo said 1409 days ago (January 15th, 2006)
	Lovely piece Can Julia play it? (Or will you teach her?) It is very peaceful and calming. You're fortunate that you have a collegue who plays so well. All the nuances of dynamics, touch and style were just there. Thanks for posting this. Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

composerclark

composerclark said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)

Lovely piece
Hi, Julia can't play it, although she is learning piano so perhaps one day she can
learn it. It's actually a more difficult piece than it sounds like, according to my
friend Tim who played it (Tim has several CDs out, and plays many solo and
concerto gigs a year, so I believe him). Nevertheless, it'd be a real thrill if Julia
could learn it one day. She lives in a different city, about 2,000 km away, so it
probably wouldn't be me who'd teach her, but maybe it could happen during a
visit, I suppose. I've taught her a few Beatles tunes on guitar. Thanks very
much!

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free mus

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Einarus	Einarus said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	Pretty Very pretty, actually. Excellent playing and composition. What a great birthday present. Happy birthday Julia. Very nice work. Check out my latest song called Good Things Come in Fours

composerclark	composerclark said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	Pretty Thanks, Einar. I forwarded all birthday greetings so far to Julia, so hopefully she'll get a kick out of this! Cheers, Clark --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free mus Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

urbnite	urbnite said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	wow i saw the name of this over in the rating picks and it intrigued me. very glad i caught it over there! i love the movement in the chords - the dissonance and resolutions. lovely performance as well - lyrical and flowing. i'd be thrilled if this were my birthday present! Check out my latest song called Everything's Perfect

composerclark	composerclark said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	wow Thanks, Darren! You're enthusiasm made my day! All the best, Clark --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free mus Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

dreadmon	dreadmon said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	So beautifully done.. ...a wonderful performance and a sweet, sweet piece. How lucky is your daughter to receive such a gift from the heart? Another tasty track, sir! Check out my latest song called Dive!

composerclark	composerclark said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	So beautifully done.. Thanks again, man! Your generosity of spirit is wonderful, and much appreciated by all your fellow MacJammers. I'm glad you like it. Cheers, Clark --- Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Mystified	Mystified said 1408 days ago (January 16th, 2006)
	Beautiful!! Ahhh. This is like a breath of fresh air! Oh, to be able to play like that-- wait. I'd have to practice more! LOTS more!! Nevermind! I'll happily listen to your musical offerings here at MJs and be content! :) Thanks for this!! What a wonderful present for your daughter! And Happy Birthday, Julia! :) Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

composerclark

composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)

Beautiful!!
Thanks! Yeah, I wouldn't mind being able to play like that too, but there'd be
that little thing called "practicing" that I'd have to find time to do.

When I was in music school, many years ago, I remember a guy saying
"practicing is for loosers!" It was hilariously funny at the time, because most
of us were spending practically all our waking hours practicing, and it kind of
resonated with us in a perverse way. I'm not sure what happened to that guy.
Maybe he's made it big in reality television or something, surely the dream of
every human on this planet? :-)

Thanks again, and I'll forward your birthday wishes to Julia!

Cheers,
Clark

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Cameron

Cameron said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)

lyrical
This is a lovely little piece, indeed in the style of Schumann.

The repetitive sixteenth-note patterns provide the harmonic and rhythmic underpinning for the quarter-note melody above.

The simplicity of this is engaging, and also enhanced by the relatively limited range; this piece is not about pushing the extremes of the piano keyboard.

The ending measures remind me a little of Bach in its cadential treatment.

This piece also sounds like it could be a movement from a larger "Theme and Variations" suite.

The repetitive nature of this piece is also like an etude study.

Very nice, lyrical playing by Mr Steeves. Every note speaks clearly with a rich, full sound; NOT percussive at all.

I realise that this is a live performance with all the attendant pitfalls -- the piano sounds a little faraway here -- so someday I hope that you record this again with closer mics, and put it on an album.

It's a beautiful little piece, a refreshing moment in my day. Thanks for posting!

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

composerclark

composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)

lyrical
Well, Cameron, once again you make some very insightful
comments.Regarding your comment that the final cadence sounds Bach-
like, it's true; it is Bach-like; that was what I was going for.In
fact, I originally called it a "Bach/Schumann Study," not only because of the
final cadence, but because the texture was borrowed from Bach's Bb major
Prelude from WTC I.It came about because I had just finished teaching a
second-year theory class on sequences, and we'd analysed the Bb Prelude,
which I absolutely love, and I had some spare time after class (I didn't really; I
had marking I ought to have been doing, and I was procrastinating), and
started fooling around with that texture, seeing where else it might go.As
always, many thanks!

---
Last upload: Julia's Prelude. Visit my website for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

AEROjet	AEROjet said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)
	cool classical I was once a classical musician, that was before persuing Jazz. This piece reminds me of the early days. Very chopinesque! (to my ears at least) Wonderful Job. Check out my latest song called You Got Me (remix)

AEROjet	AEROjet said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)
	cool classical huh, I guess people are saying shumann rather that Chopin... oh well. Check out my latest song called You Got Me (remix)

composerclark	composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)
	cool classical Thanks very much, Joel! I was a jazz musician before I was a classical musician, and I still play both, badly. BTW, I'm still really enjoying your song a lot too. Cheers, and thanks for stopping by. --- Last upload: Julia's Prelude. Visit my website for lots more free music. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

thetiler	thetiler said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)
	terrific classy stuff, love the tranquility of it. Flows quite nicely. That ending the way the some of the notes change is might fine and lovely to hear. Nice stuff indeed. Not heard alot of this find classical original stuff here is a while on piano! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

composerclark	composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)
	terrific Thanks very much Bill. I'm a guitarist as well, and I've really been enjoying your music too. Cheers, Clark. --- Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

rik

rik said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)

Wonderful Albumblatt
A really, really nice Schumann hommage. I've listened to this author more
than to every other romantic artist, and I've lost myself in his imaginary
worlds of musical characters, extravagance and folly, countless times.
Never got to understand what his music is really made of. Well, I'm still
having shivers this piece of yours provoked to me :)
It's wonderful, music is noone's property, as life is.

Check out my latest song called Kind of Electric

composerclark

composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)

Wonderful Albumblatt
Grazie tanto, Riccardo! Lei è molto gentile. All the great composers had their
own unique sound, and Schumann was no exception. He wrote a lot of great
music; the op. 44 piano quintet in Eb is one of my favorites.

Cheers,
Clark

PS I just commented on your Monteverdi homage.

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

jakgetar69	jakgetar69 said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)
	Well done Beautiful playing. Classical music isn't usually my cup of tea but this is an example of a good cross-genre favorite. Keep on keepin' on. Check out my latest song called Letter to the Editor

composerclark

composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 17th, 2006)

Well done
Thanks for the comment, Jack. Incidentally, you cite Frank Zappa as one of your
musical influences (on your profile page), and he was regarded as a very
substantial and serious classical music (contemporary classical) composer, as
you probably know. He was an amazing musician.

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

protart

protart said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

What a nice and gentle surprise
I was sincerely ___delighted_____ from listening to your "Prelude" . I could image you in a dark - big wooden room nobly chatting with Chopin, Thalberg, Liszt, and..Schumann. Yes, because - even if the style is surely "Schumannesque"..- your invention and composition is your own, with real feeling and really noble style. I surely agree with Rik: music is not a private property, neither the style, in a certain sense. You could find my comment non adequate to my three composition posted on this site but...please, please, do not do that mistake...!

My sincere congratulations, again. 9 9 8 9

protart

Check out my latest song called STORM IN A FROG POOL

composerclark

composerclark said 1407 days ago (January 18th, 2006)

What a nice and gentle surprise
Thanks so much for sharing your enthusiasm; it's a great thing to read to
start my day! I look forward to listening to some of your music.

All the best,

Clark

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

screamalexz	screamalexz said 1406 days ago (January 18th, 2006)
	nice that's some pretty good piano playing there. wish i was that good, hope she had a great birthday Check out my latest song called Die (Album Version)

composerclark

composerclark said 1406 days ago (January 19th, 2006)

nice
Thanks. "Pretty Good?" I thought the piano playing was REALLY good! This was
a recording of a live concert, and he'd only had the piece for a few days before
playing it. Cheers, Clark.

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

John Stebbe

John Stebbe said 1405 days ago (January 19th, 2006)

nice
Thanks, composerclark, for a beautiful piece of music. I can hear Schumann
very well. I played a couple of his "Scenes From Childhood" many years ago
for "ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest" here in Indiana. My high school choir
director heard me playing "About Strange Lands And People," and he said,
"Why are you playing the piano like a typewriter?" (This was around 1976.)
And he was right. He really got it into my head that I had "permission" to be
expressive in my playing, and make it my own. And that's what I hear in this
wonderful performance, too.

Hmm -- Mosaic -- isn't that an old notation software title by the now-
defunct "Studio Vision?" Or maybe I dreamt that. You only hear about Finale
and Sibelius anymore, we sometimes forget they are not the only game in
town.

Thanks, composerclark, for all your kind comments on many of my tracks
today. I appreciate your generosity.

---
My jazz piano CD on the<a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=79324809&s=143441"> iTunes Music Store</a>.

Check out my latest song called NECAP Test song

composerclark

composerclark said 1405 days ago (January 20th, 2006)

nice
Thanks for the feedback, John. Very much appreciated!

Re: "Why are you playing the piano like a typewriter?"
Ouch! I'm glad you didn't let this affect you negatively, because you play
beautifully.

Mosaic is/was a Mark of the Unicorn product, a good notation programme, but
they don't support it any more.

All the best, Clark

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1402 days ago (January 22nd, 2006)
	I know very little about classical music... ...but I really feel this piece in every way, from composition to performance to recording. It is simply lovely, a loving, wise and clear- sighted gift, and very moving. Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

composerclark

composerclark said 1402 days ago (January 22nd, 2006)

I know very little about classical music...
My theory is you shouldn't need to be an expert in any particular type of music
to appreciate it, because music is a form of communication, so I appreciate your
taking the time to comment and listen.

Cheers, Clark

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17301">Late-Night Music</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

angelweave	angelweave said 1402 days ago (January 22nd, 2006)
	Very pretty Excellent flow. Very professional. If I didn't know where it came from, I'd believe it was from another era and widely accepted. hln Check out my latest song called Mechanism

composerclark	composerclark said 1381 days ago (February 12th, 2006)
	Very pretty Thanks very much! In a sense, it is from another era, since I was using 19th- century harmony and emulating Schummann. But widely accepted? I wish! Clark Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

	millie said 1386 days ago (February 7th, 2006)
	wonderful That was very beautiful, I wish that it had been longer. I might ply it twice. You are very talented.

composerclark	composerclark said 1381 days ago (February 12th, 2006)
	wonderful Thanks for your kind comment! This piece actually comes from a set called "Ten Short Piano Pieces," so, while each is relatively short, the whole set is a little more substantial. Cheers! Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1374 days ago (February 19th, 2006)
	Utterly charming Since this is for your daughter, I guess it's part of your own cycle of Kinderszenen, nicht wahr? Great little piece. I'm glad I found it. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

composerclark

composerclark said 1373 days ago (February 20th, 2006)

Utterly charming
Thanks for stopping by. Yup, as mentioned above, this is from a set of mostly
short pieces for piano, most of which can be played by beginning- to
intermediate-level students. This particular piece is a challenge to play, though;
you have to be pretty good to pull it off.

I just checked out your submission, which made me want to hear a longer, more
developed version, as well as some of your other stuff. Hopefully we'll get a
chance to hear more soon.

Do you play any of the Kinderszenen?

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

ktb	ktb said 1372 days ago (February 21st, 2006)
	so good This piece evokes a very peaceful and that "warm fuzzy" feeling. I enjoyed it immensely. Please post many more. Respectfully Check out my latest song called Texas stump

composerclark	composerclark said 1372 days ago (February 21st, 2006)
	so good Thanks for the nice comment! I appreciate it. BTW, I just left a comment (and vote) on your first submission, which I enjoyed. Cheers, Clark Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

RickB1	RickB1 said 1370 days ago (February 23rd, 2006)
	Beautiful Gorgeous and loving-tender, like daughters! :-) It's on my favorites! Check out my latest song called Defining Moment

composerclark	composerclark said 1370 days ago (February 23rd, 2006)
	Beautiful Thanks a lot, Rick. You are very kind; much appreciated! Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

jefferson987	jefferson987 said 1231 days ago (July 13th, 2006)
	WOW That was an awsome composition! I really liked how the theme just kept going with the same rythmic pattern. It was very peaceful. Check out my latest song called Rick

composerclark

composerclark said 1230 days ago (July 13th, 2006)

WOW
Thanks so much for listening and leaving a comment! It's always particularly
nice to see comments for older pieces, since its a relatively rare occurence. I'm
very pleased you like it. I've just left a comment for your newest piece, which I
also enjoyed. Cheers!

---
Visit <a style="color:blue;font-size:11px;" href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free MP3s and scores.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

david.sfinzi	david.sfinzi said 805 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Julia's Sweet. Lush. My daughter Julia (a ballerina) would no doubt like this too. Check out my latest song called Baroque Concertino in F

composerclark	composerclark said 805 days ago (September 12th, 2007)
	Thanks Huge thanks for the comment, David! As I have mentioned above, it's always a thrill to get a comment on an older submission. --- ClarkRoss.ca has recordings and scores for almost everything I have written. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

	said 593 days ago (April 11th, 2008)
	MasterGift! This is such a great gift for your daughter. Fantastic piece of music, the piano playing is superb and it's a real Happy B-Day tone. Happy Birthday Julia... All the best wishes. And thank you for sharing this piece Mr. Clark Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

composerclark	composerclark said 592 days ago (April 11th, 2008)
	Thanks Thanks very much, Yeman A. Al-Rawi! I can't believe how generous you are in leaving so many comments for my music; I think this is the 8th piece of mine you've commented on in the last 24 hours... WOW! You are a wonderful person, and a fine musician. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Char	Char said 569 days ago (May 4th, 2008)
	This leaves me wanting more. What a loving gift for your daughter. Thank you for sharing. Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

composerclark	composerclark said 569 days ago (May 4th, 2008)
	Thanks Thanks very much for your comment, Char! I really appreciate it. I was hoping to listen to some of your music, but I see you don't have any submissions yet... I hope you will consider making and sharing some music with us at some point. In the mean time, is there a website where one could find some of your poetry or art? Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Char	Char said 569 days ago (May 5th, 2008)
	Hi, Yes, I post poetry and art on my 360 on Yahoo Answers. I will post some things for you to see. :) http://360.yahoo.com/profile-n_TcVcsyc6cj5UuMnJtUU7Ja.G.S37nxHum_VhlG Check out my latest song called Break Away (Mark Holbrook & Awigze)

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Artist Info

Name: Composition Blog

I've been teaching composition, theory, and classical guitar at an east-coast university for the past 17 years, and I've been writing music for over 30 years. My wife (for whom Jennifer's Tune is named) is also a professor (religion and culture), a... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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