Dixit Dominus in D Major - Music-Web Forums

Majesty · #1 20-09-2006, 06:48 PM

Here are some links to my Dixit Dominus in D Major. It is composed for SATB Chorus, Mezzo-Soprano and Baritone solo. The instrumental enseble calls for 2 trumpets, timpani, strings and keyboard.

The Dixit Dominus uses Baroque flavor with my original style. The posted movments are from various performances. You're sure to hear some blips and balance issues. Feel free to leave comments or questions.

Again, you will hear some performance issues...
Hope you all enjoy!

1st Movement - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4189319

2nd Movement - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4249254

3rd Movement (excerpt) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4189346

4th Movment (excerpt) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4176141

5th Movement (excerpt 1) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4176155

5th Movment (excerpt 2) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4176162

6th Movment (excerpt) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4176174

Final Movment (excerpt 1) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4176183

Final Movement (excerpt 2) - http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=4176189

reith · #2 22-09-2006, 01:16 PM

I won't have time to listen to all movements now. I'll add to this as I go - or add extra posts.

1 & 2
It's an accomplished work obviously, structurally balanced and interesting harmonic progression (with touches of modernity).

Lovely vocal line in 2nd part - well, the whole thing is very nice. I find the harmony very pleasant - you say baroque-flavour but this is more 'you' coming through, surely.

It's a nice performance and good recording. I'm not sure whether I'm bluffing myself right now - it sounds stereo at moments then it doesn't. Nope, it's definitely stereo. The mikes allowed the vocalist to have a good presence without drowning out the ensemble.

I'll have a look at the rest later.
Reith

MaestroX · #3 22-09-2006, 10:21 PM

These pieces are great! I love the way you have used ideas from Baroque but in a modern way. The melody in the second movement is really nice, and uses some nice harmony.

6th movement is very nice, I like the use of the harmonic progressions and the interludes with the strings.

And what a finale! Very good, but i think it could have been a little more interesting, it could be the performance/recording but I think for a work of this substance, it should have a bigger floor shaking ending.

Just out of interest where was this performed?

Majesty · #4 23-09-2006, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by reith

I won't have time to listen to all movements now. I'll add to this as I go - or add extra posts.
1 & 2
It's an accomplished work obviously, structurally balanced and interesting harmonic progression (with touches of modernity).
Lovely vocal line in 2nd part - well, the whole thing is very nice. I find the harmony very pleasant - you say baroque-flavour but this is more 'you' coming through, surely.
It's a nice performance and good recording. I'm not sure whether I'm bluffing myself right now - it sounds stereo at moments then it doesn't. Nope, it's definitely stereo. The mikes allowed the vocalist to have a good presence without drowning out the ensemble.
I'll have a look at the rest later.
Reith

Thanks for listening, Reith. I'm glad you enjoyed the first two movements.
It is true that in certain movements more of "me" came through.

Again, thanks.

Majesty · #5 23-09-2006, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by MaestroX

These pieces are great! I love the way you have used ideas from Baroque but in a modern way. The melody in the second movement is really nice, and uses some nice harmony.

6th movement is very nice, I like the use of the harmonic progressions and the interludes with the strings.

And what a finale! Very good, but i think it could have been a little more interesting, it could be the performance/recording but I think for a work of this substance, it should have a bigger floor shaking ending.

Just out of interest where was this performed?

I thank you for listening, MaestroX. I remember you commented on the first two movements when I posted them before music-web changed its look. So, I am thankful you took the time to listen to the other movements as well.

I don't know what to say about the finale. The performance of that movement wasn't the greatest. There were a lot of interesting momements that I had to leave out in the posted excerpt because of performance issues.
I guess I decided to go for dazzle instead of floor shaking when it came to the ending. Did you notice the soprano on the high D at the end? But, when I think of it, a floor shaking ending might have suited the piece better.

The posts were from a combination of two different performances at the Boston Cosnervatory.

Again, thanks for listening and your comments.

MaestroX · #6 23-09-2006, 06:58 PM

The posts were from a combination of two different performances at the Boston Cosnervatory

Ahh, I thought they some of the movements sonuded very different from each other. I think you should maybe relook at this and work on any parts that are lacking and then complile them together for a complete work. Its dosn't really need much work, but as it is, its good but I think that bit extra will make it a "Wow" piece.

reith · #7 23-09-2006, 10:08 PM

Sheesh! I just had that trouble again, typed up a post in liesurely fashion, forgot to copy it to the clipboard...it made me log in again, lost the lot.

Let's try again...I'll copy it this time!

III. More baroque-flavoured this time...until your twists of harmony as at 0:24 and in the big chorus around 1:18. Lovely harmony in the hymn/chorale 2:15.

Can I ask if the trumpeters were playing standard B-flat instruments (as it sounds, though they might be D) or the high Bachian ones? No matter, bravo to the players!

(Let's try to post this then move on...we hope!)

IV - the only problem I had was cutting it short. I was sitting back with my eyes closed. Beautiful harmony.

V (parts 1 and 2)
Pointless to comment - just accomplished. These live performances have a vibrance that no studio recording can capture... no matter what people say, to me at least, there's more the feel of being present rather than abstractly listening to a recording, if that makes any sense.

Anyway, I hoped to have enough quietude to listen to the remainder tomorrow.
bests,
Reith

Majesty · #8 24-09-2006, 10:22 PM

The trumpet players were using D Piccolo Trumpets. In the third movement the 1st trumpet player was actually sight reading. My original trumpet player had an emergency that night and told me that he got a replacement. I was very grateful.