Vincent Lo - Violin Concerto no. 1 in A minor (draft)

Note to SFUCO members: this rendition is a bit on the fast side. We will perform it slightly slower. Thanks!

This piece was written for the Simon Fraser University Chamber Orchestra (SFUCO). It is scored for a solo violinist, 3 violins, and a cello. I started composing it some time in the middle of summer 2010, as a keyboard reduction. As I have little knowledge of strings, this draft has gone through endless consultations from a few of my close friends who are string players themselves. So the reason why I am posting a draft here is both to share my music with you, but also to gain more insight from string players who may have suggestions on how the composition can be more idiomatic.

i. Allegro moderato
ii. Andante maestoso
iii. Rondeau: Allegretto risoluto

I have always wanted to compose something big in the Baroque style. Writing for strings is certainly a new and interesting experience for me, especially when I am writing for a non-standard ensemble. The reason for this is because SFUCO currently does not have any violists. The absence of the viola makes it challenging to voice chords in the middle register, but overcoming these challenges is part of the fun. (You may be interested to know that I had chosen the keys based on the lowest notes a violin can play lol.)

So anyway, as always, please feel free to leave comments and suggestions. I am especially interested in hearing what violinists and cellists can suggest to help me write more idiomatically.


Enjoy.

:)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• music
• baroque
• bach
• counterpoint
• original
• composition
• score
• lo
• vincent
• sfuco
• sfu
• simon
• fraser
• university
• chamber
• orchestra
• sonata
• symphonic music
• classical music

[skitzo429]

why didnt you score for a viola in the orchestra?

[zeryx28]

@skitzo429 Oh, that's because the orchestra for whom I wrote did not have any violists. :)

[LaurentSilverlust]

Hi Vincent! First of all, you're amazing! It takes such effort to write in this convincing baroque style nowadays. Anyway, I think you should get rid of the "sul G" section! ^^ Don't take me wrong. Violins those days didn't have a chinrest, so the player had to maintain the balance of the instrument with his thumb. That means he couldn't go upshift on one single string. If you see baroque performances, you'll notice string crossing is in order and mkes it sound more authentic. Cheers!

[zeryx28]

@LaurentSilverlust I think I might have forgotten to reply to your comment, as it must have gotten lost in my many other e-mails. But I wanted to say thanks for your comments and suggestions. The sul G has been removed in the 2010 December 13 version, as many others had agreed with you. That was an interesting bit of history. Wish I knew more about the strings as I am merely a pianist. If I were to pick up a string instrument one day, it would have to be the viola! Cheers.

[b0ttomzone]

You write very convincing neo-baroque music. I like this a lot.

[Verdegrand]

Hey great work there. It's alyways interesting when modern day composers write in the style of an earlier era, makes you think about what the essence of that period was and if today's period has such an essence as well that is not possible to see yet.

[JFKWT]

@zeryx28 nuuuuuuuuuu

[justa16thnote]

This piece is begging for a viola. Especially the second movement. GOD IT'S BORING

[Maspixxx]

Good work, though I find the second movement a bit boring and the last seems a Zelda theme.

[BellaKoei]

Excuse my ignorance but is this in Finale?

[Geniusmu09]

Your writing is really, really nice. Excellent job! Would you ever go back and add a viola part, even two as vivaldi would often? Not saying your writing needs changing at all! It just seems like there's a hidden viola part waiting to be heard :)

[fierydog]

This is really excellent stuff. It sounds baroque. It sounds relatively unique.

[squekecln]

Amazing work here! You really got me hooked with song. It's a bit of a challenge, but i would love if you would arrange this for flute. Would you be interested in arranging it for flute and piano?

[MrEbaby2010]

Excellent contrapuntal arrangement. I note that your are fond of composing fugal music bearing very strong baroque /classical style. I am waiting for your fufal pieces on modern music. Thanks.