Klangfarben for Messiaen

[Marko]

This is a percussion piece inspired by Messiaen's music, in particular some of his Turangalila Symphony.

Consider this music for the new year.


http://www.planetcanadice.com/Music/KlangfarbenMessiaen_MDrost.mp3

I welcome your comments.

Marko

[lulu]

it sounds good :)

[MarkEdmonds]

I've downloaded this for listening later on - very interested in hearing it - but I'm just pleased to see other Messiaen listeners here. :) My benchmark for when I can really play the piano is his Vingt Regard - he is a huge influence.

Mark

[Marko]

Thanks lulu.



Mark,

Messiaen's Vingt Regard is an amazing work. I picked up a recording of Pierre-Laurent Aimard playing it and it is astounding. Very inspiring.

Let me know what you think.

Marko

[MarkEdmonds]

Marko - sorry not to reply earlier.

I like it! I head it merging into a long suspended string chord with the OM adding its character (do you have plans to continue the work or is it a standalone piece?). However, I have to confess that I am not that familiar with Messiaen's orchestral works to pick up the nuances. I listen to his piano/organ works mainly. Therefore, I found myself thinking more of Frank Zappa when listening to Klangfarben (I think it is also something he would have done but for Varese).

On a technical side, can I respectfully ask you to check your meters. I am hearing distortion in some of those bells at about 18 seconds, 21 seconds, the climax between 28 and 35 seconds (and at about 1m40s, is there a big click?).

Regards,

Mark

[Marko]

Mark,

I checked those levels and there may have been some distortion around the 27 -31 section. I am not sure if there is any distortion (other than the instruments sound itself) around the 18 second section. The chimes, glockenspiel, and crotales, I suspect, are the culprits. The 'distortion' may also be the sound of the sample itself, especially in the crotales and chimes. When these are played at the higher velocities they are very cutting and bright. This could be the partials of the instrument sound itself.

I uploaded another file and cut back on the velocity in those sections and the overall loudness of the mix.

I did not detect the click at 1:40. I think there's a bass drum thud there.

Thanks for lending me your discriminating ears.

Marko

[Edi]

This is a percussion piece inspired by Messiaen's music, in particular some of his Turangalila Symphony.

Consider this music for the new year.


http://www.planetcanadice.com/Music/KlangfarbenMessiaen_MDrost.mp3

I welcome your comments.

Marko

Lovely.

I did not know that Messiaen ( leave alone Varese) could be mentioned in this forum. :)

Ed

[Marko]

Thanks Ed.

Messiaen, Crumb, Ligeti, Boulez, Carter, Berio and Cecil Taylor. (There. I said it!)

There's a piece by George Crumb, Makrokosmos III (for two pianists and two percussionists) that I listen to periodically for inspiration. It's a very exotic piece and certainly not for everyone's taste. But the percussion is really amazing.

[MarkEdmonds]

Marko - I'm afraid I am still hearing some distortion. This is in the (I'm guessing) 7/4 section at 28 seconds through to 35. Every beat has a crackle to it.

I've switched channels to make sure it isn't my monitors and no difference.

If it is distortion, is very quiet but enough to give you that jolting sensation when you hear clipping and have to chase it down.

Maybe you could just mix down 28 seconds to 36 inclusive as a wav and make that available?

Is anyone else hearing distortion?

I am curious. Which library and host is this written in?

Regards,

Mark

[MarkEdmonds]

Lovely.

I did not know that Messiaen ( leave alone Varese) could be mentioned in this forum. :)

Ed

Being new around here, I have to ask why???!!! :confused:

Mark

[Edi]

Being new around here, I have to ask why???!!! :confused:

Mark

Why, I cannot say, but nothing preventing this to change!


Marko,

I am glad to see you include Cecil Taylor.

Ed

[Marko]

Mark,

You are right. There was distortion in that section. I uploaded another mix. Please lend me your ears again and tell me what you hear. I brought the level down significantly.


Thanks.

http://www.planetcanadice.com/Music/KlangfarbenMessiaen_MDrost.mp3


Damn my ears! (Too late.)

Marko

[Oksi Moron]

Marko,

The piece is so delightful it almost made me forget it contained a string of cymbal orgasms (the Grand Canyon mules of many an aspirant film cue).

Greg

[Marko]

Marko,

a string of cymbal orgasms (the Grand Canyon mules of many an aspirant film cue

Greg

Greg,

This is precisely what I was attempting to evoke!

Marko

[MarkEdmonds]

Marko - sorry it took me so long to reply on this.

The latest version sounds clean! I just wonder though whether you might want to consider "toning" the treble down a little? I felt at times that the density in the bells was a little oppressive and that was preventing me listening at higher levels. This is strictly IMO - more experienced people should really confirm this before acting on it.

Regards,

Mark

[unison]

Great piece Marco!

May one ask what samples were used? http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Marko]

Mark,

I guess those high frequencies are really in the listener's face. I think it must be a a combination of the crotales, chimes, and vibes and the far and close mic samples. I'll listen again and see what I can do.

Thanks again for listening.



Niklas,

Thanks. All of the samples are from the EastWest Symphonic Orchestra Percussion module.