String Quartet

[M G Jacobs (mgj32)]

The movements in the other thread (which could be deleted) are much changed, so I include all four movements here, in the right order, or, better to say, the order I finally settled on.

The first movement is a bit long for a .not file upload, but the other three movements are safely within limits.

I have shied away from trying a string quartet because I had not confidence that I could do anything with one. I haven't gained much more confidence, I'm afraid. It has been a real struggle. However, I am not entirely unpleased with what I hear.

<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.notation.com/discus/icons/attachment_icon.giffirst movement
String Quartet first movement.mid (http://www.notation.com/discus/messages/35939/String_Quartet_first_movement-35235.mid) (52.8 k)</td></tr></table></center>
<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.notation.com/discus/icons/attachment_icon.gifsecond movement
String Quartet second movement.not (http://www.notation.com/discus/messages/35939/String_Quartet_second_movement-35236.not) (332.0 k)</td></tr></table></center>
<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.notation.com/discus/icons/attachment_icon.gifthird movement
String Quartet third movement.not (http://www.notation.com/discus/messages/35939/String_Quartet_third_movement-35237.not) (439.5 k)</td></tr></table></center>
<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.notation.com/discus/icons/attachment_icon.giffourth movement
String Quartet fourth movement.not (http://www.notation.com/discus/messages/35939/String_Quartet_fourth_movement-35238.not) (437.5 k)</td></tr></table></center>

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
In my opinion it was worth the struggle and your lack of confidence not justified by what I hear.Nice sound in my setup (Merlin Vienna sf )and I particularly like the first and third movements.The former because of the nice, sometimes sentimental,though happy mood ,and the latter because it makes me dancing on this very happy "tune " ( and the neighbours too ! )
Also some sacrilegeous thoughts came to me listening to the second and last movements because of some nice jazzy cello ( walking bass ? ) parts.
Please keep on " struggling ".
Regards
Djim

[M G Jacobs (mgj32)]

Hi Djim,
I enjoyed the image of you, and even your neighbours, dancing. I wondered whether making the center of the 3rd movement jig-like would work. I still wonder if a cellist can play those double stops pizzicato so fast, though I kept finger movement to a minimum. In the 2nd movement, the B theme starts out as an accompaniment to the A theme, when it's taken up by the violins and viola, and the C theme, also, starts out as accompaniment. The last movement's A subject is based on the old popular song, "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree." Everything else is derived directly or in-directly from the 7 tones of measures 24 and 25.

The Merlin Vienna Sf is close to the one I used, which was the Merlin My_Own. If you'd like to hear that SF, the quartet is at

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=655173&amp;content=music

all best,
mgj

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
I really enjoyed listening to the movements on Soundclick.Nice recordings.I don´t think that Yo Yo Ma would have any problems with the pizzicato double stops.I ,however.would like to see/hear her bowing the double-stops as well,and reaching out the notes on two adjacent strings in order to bow instead of " plucking".It will depend on the tuning of the cello of course.Did you use the standard or the alternative cello-tunings ?Also in the first movement, measure 51.there is a bowed triple-stop (F#2-Bb3-D4 )which keeps me puzzled ( I once,long time ago,took some cello lessons as well,besides "playing " violin,so cello is still my second interest besides the bass guitar ).Please tell me if I am getting too "nosy " about the cello parts.
BTW, I also have My Own sf,but a different audio set up of course.
Regards
Djim

[M G Jacobs (mgj32)]

Hi Djim,

Your comments were a big help. There was a problem with the triple stop in measure 51 of the 1st movement. Playable, but the F# couldn't be sustained. I've fixed that, with the help of the second violin.

The double stops in the third movement jig have been re-written, so that there is an open string almost everywhere through the passage. Should make the fingering easier. I've also got rid of the upper Ds.

I think now it could be bowed, since there's never more than an interval of a sixth.

I've been listening to and looking at some things of Paganini, like the Paisiello Variations and the Duet for One Violin, and I am wondering if anything is impossible for the strings. I am amazed that anyone could play such stuff. My fingers get cramps just imagining it.

Have you tried the Real Voice SF in My Own? I was using it with orchestra and there are places where it is flat. I'm afraid it's my sound card being tempermental. I do like that font for voice.

Thanks for putting me on to things needing fixed in the quartet. If you see any more let me know.

all best,
mgj

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
I am glad that I could be of little "help".You are quite right about Paganini,also called " the devil" with his "clawlike " fingers and "hawklike" nose .Did you ever had the chance to listen to Arthur Grumiaux performing his( Paganini´s) Violinconcerto no. 1 ?There are lots of so-called "broken " triple- and quadruple double-stops in this (and other) piece.As a bassist,I would call it pedalling,probably applicable to your (future) triplet(s) as well.
The Real Voice SF is default sf in my My Own,but my "repertoire " of orchestral midi´s is limited.Any suggestions for looking for good Midi´s (including your own work)to do justice to this font ?
Are there more violin-cello concerto´s in the making ?What about a cello-low B tuning ( B1-F#2-Bb3-D4 )or even a bowed double bass ?
I will be looking forward to these.
Sorry for keeping you busy !
Regards
Djim

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
Take a break with Zoltan Kodaly´s Intermezzo (violin,viola,Cello).
As you may already know,Kodaly was an expert in Hungarian Folk Song and Dances ,which is also reflected in almost all his work.
Enjoy and regards
Djim<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.notation.com/discus/icons/attachment_icon.gifTake a break
intermez.not (http://www.notation.com/discus/messages/35939/intermez-35243.not) (230.4 k)</td></tr></table></center>

[M G Jacobs (mgj32)]

Hi Djim,

I've been enjoying the Kodaly Intermezzo for a couple of days now. It sounds familiar, at least distantly. Is it from Hary Janos? Somehow on my system Violin, Viola and Cello, were all String Ensemble 1. I changed them to the solo instruments, and back to pizz where applicable. I have seen individual instrument pizzicato sound fonts, but don't remember where.

I'll post a section of the symphony I'm currently working on in a couple of days to test Real Voice.

I forgot to say that I had the standard cello tuning in mind for the quartet--C G D A.

good night,
mgj

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
Bingo ( sneeze ).It´s the 5th movement from Hary Janos.If interrested I will send you the " Entrance of the emperor " too.
I also tried a couple of soundfonts,but they all referred to String
Ensemble,rather than solo instruments.I will brows my SF stock for those files.I will let you know if I am lucky.
Regards
Djim

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
Sorry to say that after a few more listenings,I am now not quite sure whether the piece is the "true" 5th movement from Hary Janos.
I tried to upload the 5th ,but the file is too big ( 563 kb ).
You may want to check it out at Classical Music Archives though( classicalarchives.com )
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Regards
Djim

[M G Jacobs (mgj32)]

Hi Djim,

Here's the midi of that symphony I mentioned above in connection with Real Voice. I've used Merlin Vienna here and the ahh choir for the voices. With My_Own and Real Voice there were places where it sounded flat, especially in the tenor range. I suspect it may be my sound card.
I've had the flu all week and haven't been in any condition to think much about it, I'm afraid.

all best,
mgj

<center><table border=1><tr><td>http://www.notation.com/discus/icons/attachment_icon.gifsymphony movement
Symphony 3 (http://www.notation.com/discus/messages/35939/Symphony_3__Prelude_not-35256.mid) (39.3 k)</td></tr></table></center>

[Djim Tio (djimtio)]

Hi MG
Thanks for sharing the Symphony.Sounded impressive with Merlin Vienna.
No chance to hear it with My Own and Real Voice though,the instrument sound defaulting to the choir Aahs ( 053 ) instead of to Real Voice (054)
in my settings.
Better get well soon first and take care.
Regards
Djim

[Sherry Crann (sherry)]

Howdy,

Here's hoping that MG is feeling better. I've listened to these with my own soundfont setup (not MG's "My Own", though), and really enjoyed them.

You never cease to amaze me with all the music you come up with http://www.notation.com/discus/clipart/happy.gif

ttfn,
Sherry

[M G Jacobs (mgj32)]

Hi Sherry,

The cold, on day eleven, has relented slightly. I've sure never had one like it; at one point the idea crossed my mind that since no person's sinuses could hold so much, it must be that I was blowing out my brains. Of course I had a fever then. ;)

I've tried various parts of the quartet with a number of other soundfont collections, and most of them are passable. The best was the larger Sinfonia collection.

Musical ideas have always been pretty easy, but from the violin concerto on, getting them worked out is like chopping wood in the Petrified Forest. It does keep whatever brain the cold left behind occupied though. http://www.notation.com/discus/clipart/happy.gif

How are you liking your kitchen after getting it broken in?

all best,
mgj

[Sherry Crann (sherry)]

Howdy MG,

I'm glad your cold is relenting, and that you're fever is gone, but the brains are still there ;)

I for one appreciate your persistence in chopping - it's fun to hear your pieces evolving and changing.

I'm enjoying my kitchen immensely. Eight months without a kitchen gives one a considerable appreciation for the smell of fresh bread (among other things) wafting through the house. And enjoying friends around the kitchen table during meal preparation and all sorts of fun. If you (or anyone else) is ever up around the Thumb of Michigan (yes, that gets a lot of bass jokes), do give us a holler.

ttfn,
Sherry