Adagio

mosc · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject: Adagio

This is a recording of a rare solo performance for me. I played this live on the Chez Mosc program on radio.electro-music.com on Sept 3, 2011.

It's the first part of my session. The recording is direct from the air, but I have done a bit of mastering.

This is quite tonal, but there is a bit of nastiness here and there. I've been listening to a lot of Shostakovich. He's not considered the most radical 20th century composer, but I like his music a lot.

The cello comes from my iPad. Other stuff in there is the Nord Modular and a Kurzweil rompler. Everything goes through Ableton Live on the way.

The words (more or less):

I hope you enjoy it.

Adagio.mp3

Description:

Adagio by Howard Moscovitz

Copyright 2011 by Howard Moscovitz, all right reserved - listen freely

Filesize:

16.69 MB

Duration:

18:14

Viewed:

5169 Time(s)

jack · Joined: Feb 06, 2003 Posts: 23 Location: East Coast USA

Howard
Cello opening line is beautiful. Great development. Sets a very somber mood. Very beautiful. I love it. The "nasty" Horn type line breaks the mood. The mood is never really established as strongly as it is in the begining again. The vocal is a strong line but unclear. You know it's a voice but it sounds like it's hiding afraid to come out.. If you just keep the strings and a stronger voice it would be a fantastic piece. One the Phily Orchestra should play.. A good composer must concern himself with the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself. The old truths of the heart,love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice. These old universal truths lacking in any composition is doomed. Man has a sprit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. Our gig is to write about these things. You nailed it with this piece. It's a great piece.
Jack

mosc · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the thoughtful and valuable feedback, Jack. Much appreciated.

Roland Kuit · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:00 am Post subject:

Love the piece, love the recording, beautiful. Really my kind of music.

mosc · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Roland.

SkySights · Joined: Jun 10, 2011 Posts: 4 Location: Indiana

I am enjoying this one.

mosc · Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:47 pm Post subject:

SkySights to electro-music.com

Thanks...

electrostaticat · Joined: May 12, 2014 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

I've been trying to track down your beautifully haunting adagio 132 that i've heard many times on EM...it reminds me of whale music, a whale in mourning set to strings...gorgeous...

mosc · Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 11:40 am Post subject: Re: Adagio 132

hrastprogrammer · Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 10:09 pm Post subject:

This is really a beautiful emotional piece!

mosc · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 5:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Hrast...

kkissinger · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:26 am Post subject: Re: Adagio

mosc · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:20 pm Post subject:

Wow, Kevin, I had to look that up. The Wikipedia article is informative: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandiatonic

I find it wonderful that Nicolas Slonimski coined the term. I was lucky enough to act as his host when he visited Mills College in 1971. I got to spend the weekend with him. He was brilliant, and hilariously funny. He was a amazing musician. He could stand with his back to the piano, reach back and play Mozart.

In the article it says the Darius Milhaud used this technique. I went to Mills to study with him. My claim to fame is that I was his last student. Actually, I had one lesson with him before he passed away. He was very weak and could hardly speak. He would whisper to his wife who would repeat what he said. I didn't learn anything from him, but at least I got to meet him.

MusicMan11712 · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:41 pm Post subject:

Adagio came on after Paul's show tonight (EER), I know I heard it before, but I found it is still fresh, beautiful, and moving.
Steve