Prelude #14

Still working on this one, an assignment for Giancarlo, which is due tomorrow. I remain focused on church modes and counterpoint. This prelude is phrygian. G.C. dictated a subject for the exercise.

I listen to the piece now and it sounds like the E minor (tonic) is in fact the dominant. Perhaps this is simply my tonal ear training. Or perhaps the sustained pedal tone on E creates the tension around E, and you want to resolve to A. One of the reasons I like the church modes is the ambiguity they create around a tonal center.

I'm completely swamped this week as I'm teaching CS202 @ Stanford tomorrow evening, and then leading a presentation in Jonathan Berger's seminar on the Schumann Fantasy. Of course I have voice and piano lessons tomorrow as well, in addition to choir practice in the evening. Hmn...

Coming back to the piece. Giancarlo and I have spent some time reviewing this piece. He offered a number of suggestions. I've taken another cut and believe the changes are positive.

Prelude #14
Prelude #14 Score

I'm starting to work on a new song cycle, influenced by Bartok. Hopefully I'll find some time to develop the piece over the next few days...