Concerto Form

[Stenir]

Oh, and technically, Beethoven's "Minuet" movement from the first Symphony was actually more of a Scherzo. It was just a misnomer because he was studying under Haydn, who himself used to interchange Minuet and Scherzo quite often.

Yeah, I've been reading. That information came from the book entitled "The Symphony" by Michael Steinberg. He did a study of 118 symphonies by 36 composers. And of course, included all of Beethoven's symphonies.

But anyways...

I've set myself on a study course of the Classical era, and it's not so much that I am writing a piece in order to write a piece, I'm more doing it for the study and understanding of the form than actually trying to write a Concerto based on everything. True, I am going to write one, but this is going to be like a very rough draft. I'm only hoping to attempt at writing a Concerto, not pull a Mozart and master it on the first try.

It's just going to be a trial and error attempt. I hope you will all try to pretend like this was written back in the Classical era, and judge it based on the standards of the time, instead of by today's Britney Spears or Jay-Z.

I'm doing it for Oboe because my wife loves the sound of the Oboe.

[Stenir]

Oh, and in addition, I try to just get the basic and generalized form in my head, and from there let my mind do the composition. I have never really sat back and thought through a composition. It just sort of appears on the paper as my hand writes.

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Boneman

Wow Steve!

I think that music should be written without the restrictions of form etc.otherwise we would just end up writing stuff that sounded like someone else.

So you're advocating formless music? I think your statement is a bit of a logical fallacy. There is certainly music that has the same form but the music sounds distinctly different. If you're saying we shouldn't be too concerned with copying an exact form (as I'm advocating in my reponse to the OP), I agree with you, however, most music (and other forms of art) typically have form. Sometimes it's a non-integral part of a work, and sometimes it's an important aspect. So while we might eschew the limitations of a "conventional" form, writing formless music is probably too exteme in the other direction (and if every one writes formlessly, then everyone does sound alike!)

Steve

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Thorolf

So while my advice was historically sloppy (thanks for the corrections!), I think it’s still worth considering as pure musical advice. Do whatever you feel like, and do indeed break every rule if the music tells you to do so!

Regards

Definitely worth considering as pure musical advice. In fact, I think with Shostakovitch, too much emphasis is placed on his orchestral work (as is true with most composers actually) and more attention should be paid to his chamber music.

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Stenir

and judge it based on the standards of the time, instead of by today's Britney Spears

In that case, your task should be quite simple :-)

Steve

[Boneman]

Originally Posted by stevel

So you're advocating formless music?

Steve

That is the last thing that I was trying to do Steve!