The “24”  -  A Commissioning Opportunity

 

 

 

In June 2013 I shall be celebrating (if that is the right word) my 70th birthday.  To mark this landmark in my life and I am planning, over the next 24 months to follow in the footsteps of my great idol, Johann Sebastian Bach, and compose a set of 24 Preludes and Fugues for piano solo – in principle one prelude and one fugue per month.

 

Like Bach I will be composing pairs of preludes and fugues in all the major and minor keys.  Bach’s two sets of 24 preludes and fugues (the so-called “48”) move up by semitones from C (major and minor) to B (major and minor).  My set, however, will follow a different pattern, descending through two chromatic scales a major 3rd apart – in other words C major, E minor , B major, E flat minor, B flat major, D minor etc.  The final fugue (in F minor) will lead to a recapitulation of the opening C major prelude.  Bach’s sets were intended for pedagogical use, but, for all their magnificence and enormous emotional and technical range, were not intended as a single unified piece.  My aim is to try and produce such a unified work, exploring a wide range of moods and structures, which could, if time and inclination allowed, be performed as a single entity, although each pair of preludes and fugues will also be shaped as stand alone pieces.

 

To encourage me in this project I am hoping to find commissioners for each of the 24 keys.  There are 3 reasons for this:

  1. I very much want to share this project with as many of my family and friends as I can, in a genuine spirit of involvement (more of that later…)
  2. In the present uncertain financial climate I need to feel justified in spending some of my working hours on this project

3.      Most importantly I am a composer who needs the incentive of a commission to concentrate my mind to get down to the hard work of composing!

I am not looking for huge amounts to cover the work, and am proposing a sum of £200 for each pair of preludes and fugues. 

 

Each commissioner will

  • be able to choose their key (or keys)
  • be able to specify other musical attributes or challenges (i.e. mood, style, even specific musical ideas, such as incorporating initials into the musical fabric or specific musical techniques….)
  • have their name included in the list of commissioners on the score
  • receive a signed copy of the complete score
  • receive a facsimile of the composer’s working sketches of their prelude(s) and fugue(s)
  • feel that they are part of the important artistic business of supporting the creation of new music

 

If you would be interested in being part of this project, please will you fill in and return the attached form in the pre-addressed envelope.  If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project with me further please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, letter or email (details below).

 

I very much hope that you will feel this is a worthwhile project and that you will want to be part of it.  Musical ideas are already coming to mind thick and fast.

 

Chris Brown

 

“The 24” Commission


I would like to be part of “The 24” Commission, and wish to commission ….. (insert number) Prelude(s) and Fugue(s) @ £200 each:

 

Please indicate in the grid below your choice of key(s).  If you have no preference please tick the box.

 

Key

1st  choice

2nd choice

3rd choice

C major

 

 

 

E minor

 

 

 

B major

 

 

 

E flat minor

 

 

 

B flat major

 

 

 

D minor

 

 

 

A major

 

 

 

C sharp minor

 

 

 

A flat major

 

 

 

C minor

 

 

 

G major

 

 

 

B minor

 

 

 

F sharp major

 

 

 

B flat minor

 

 

 

F major

 

 

 

A minor

 

 

 

E major

 

 

 

G sharp minor

 

 

 

E flat major

 

 

 

G minor

 

 

 

D major

 

 

 

F sharp minor

 

 

 

D flat major

 

 

 

F minor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 


I have no preference about key ….

 

Please indicate any particular things that you would like included in your Prelude(s) and Fugue(s):

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

 

I enclose a cheque (made out to Christopher Brown) for £ …….  (£200 per Prelude and Fugue)

 

Name: ……………………………………………………..

 

Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

              

               ………………………………………………………………..  Post Code:  …………………..

 

Tel: ……………………………                      email: ……………………………………………………..

 

Tel:  01832 226124        Mobile:  07880 748524

website: www.musography.co.uk