A Request and a Mystery

[Ares]

Ladies and gentlemen, I regret that I have nothing to offer, and instead everything to ask of you. I have two requests:

Many years ago, my family invested in a Baldwin digital piano with an extensive musical library, and quite a few demo pieces for the "Concert Grand" setting. The very last piece on that demo set was one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever heard in my entire life, but there was no title with it anywhere, and I have been unable to find it anywhere since I first heard it almost ten years ago. However, the tune is unforgettable and I have quickly penned it down in an antiquated music-writing program, and uploaded a midi file here. If anyone is able to identify it, I would be overjoyed to learn its name.

Second, I have recently decided to search for classical pieces that contain an element of intensity and darkness to them. I have only two at this time: Mars, by Gustav Holst, and the famed Prelude in C# minor, by Sergei Rachmaninov. If anyone can suggest pieces that run in the same vein as those two, I would be much obliged.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Muza]

Sorry Joe, I'm afraid I cant help you on these two. However, Im sure someone else in here would be able to - just stick around.

 

[marval]

Well, I had a listen too and no luck I am afraid.


Margaret

 

[Andrew Roussak]

Hi Ares,

welcome to MMIF!

To begin with your second question, try Mussorgsky, Pictures From an Exhibition ( Bilder einer Ausstellung ), The Hut Of Baba Yaga, The Curse...

To your main question - so as it is posted, I would hardly describe it as the most beautiful piece I had ever heard...With all possible respect, are you sure you have recorded it properly? Maybe you could try to harmonize it - it is really difficult to identify the piece as it is in your demo.

Regards from KA
Andrew

 

[Krummhorn]

Ares,

Have no clue on the "mystery melody". It begins sounding familiar, but from the 10 sec mark forward all familiarity is lost.

For "dark" music, Mussorgsky, Night on Bald Mountain. may fit into what you are seeking. Being as my forte is in classical organ, at least as a player and avid listener, I would suggest/add the music of Olivier Messiaen to the list.

 

[Ouled Nails]

Hello:
The "mystery" piece is the menuet movement (2nd mov.) in Ravel's Sonatine for the piano. I was also going to suggest The Night on the Bald Mountain but Krummhorn got there before me.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Way to go, ON - BRAVO!!!:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
I would never have thought about Ravel.

 

[Ouled Nails]

More refined than Satie and more formally classical than Debussy. But all of them very "French."
cheers

 

[Ares]

Ouled Nails, you are, of course, completely correct, and I have now bought the piece from iTunes, and am currently enjoying the fruits of your extensive knowledge. Thank you very much! The mystery is solved!

Thanks also to those who suggested pieces at the other end of the spectrum.

 

[Fretless]

A couple more intense/dark movements:
1st movements of both Rachmaninoff 1st symphony and Shostakovich 5th symphony.



Ill have to check out that Ravel. At first I was convinced the recording was just random notes plunked out, though they had a bit of a "sakura" quality.