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HEDDA CABBAGE
I've hesitated to post my compositions in the genuine classical style (not the switched-on or metal versions), because most of the site is devoted to popular forms, and of the classical selections here, most sound to me more like the music of Enya than that of Beethoven. It's nice, I guess, but it ain't classical.
I wrote this piece in 2004 at the invitation of a teacher in South Africa who wanted a piece to play with her flute student. It was flattering that someone was interested in my music, but being an utter cheapskate, I made her buy it from my SibeliusMusic page.
At the time, I was reading the plays of Henrik Ibsen, the most famous of which are "Peer Gynt" and "A Doll's House." Hedda Gabler, the title character of one play, is an archetypical bad girl who amuses herself by ruining people's lives. Being a bad girl, she likes to play with guns, and in the end she gets what's coming to her -- a bullet. (Yes, sex and violence were entertaining even then.) I had thought that Ibsen's plays would make great operas, but that's a little too ambitious for my modest talent, so instead I just wrote this short piece for piano and flute.
Still, I think the 19th-century melodramatic music compliments Ibsen's 19th-century melodrama. You can add to the effect as you listen by holding the back of one hand to your forehead and reciting, I am in your power, all the same. Subject to your commands and wishes. No longer free -- not free! Alas!
I've hesitated to post my compositions in the genuine classical style (not the switched-on or metal versions), because most of the site is devoted to popular forms, and of the classical selections here, most sound to me more like the music of Enya than that of Beethoven. It's nice, I guess, but it ain't classical.
I wrote this piece in 2004 at the invitation of a teacher in South Africa who wanted a piece to play with her flute student. It was flattering that someone was interested in my music, but being an utter cheapskate, I made her buy it from my SibeliusMusic page.
At the time, I was reading the plays of Henrik Ibsen, the most famous of which are "Peer Gynt" and "A Doll's House." Hedda Gabler, the title character of one play, is an archetypical bad girl who amuses herself by ruining people's lives. Being a bad girl, she likes to play with guns, and in the end she gets what's coming to her -- a bullet. (Yes, sex and violence were entertaining even then.) I had thought that Ibsen's plays would make great operas, but that's a little too ambitious for my modest talent, so instead I just wrote this short piece for piano and flute.
Still, I think the 19th-century melodramatic music compliments Ibsen's 19th-century melodrama. You can add to the effect as you listen by holding the back of one hand to your forehead and reciting, I am in your power, all the same. Subject to your commands and wishes. No longer free -- not free! Alas!
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Andronis
I wish the classical category had more music like this. Then again, most everyone who can write music like this is probably realizing that it's not going to win them any popularity contests in the category. Apparently anything with an instrument that is traditionally used in classical music can get you into the classical category.
Anyway, I'm really glad you posted this, which is a very richly immersive piece, which I thoroughly enjoyed and will no doubt enjoy again in the very near future.
I don't know what the voters before me were thinking. Production was okay since you generally refuse to use software instruments or record live ones. But I don't see how on earth they could find the songwriting or creativity "average" here. This is excellent work, Keith. :)