MacJams.com - Song: Last Dance by composerclark

AEROjet	AEROjet said 1399 days ago (January 8th, 2006)
	Absolutly Amazing Oh wow, This is excellent composing played by an excellent performer. A very interesting interpretation of the Tango genre. I like the use of #9s like everywhere in the middle section especially. This reminds me of Keith Jarret for some reason. Check out my latest song called You Got Me (remix)

composerclark	composerclark said 1398 days ago (January 9th, 2006)
	Absolutly Amazing Thanks, Joel! Welcome to MacJams! --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Einarus

Einarus said 1399 days ago (January 9th, 2006)

To be honest...
...these classical pieces are really above my comprehension, so to speak,
so I really can't give you any 'constructive criticism'.

But I liked it. I can tell you that much.
For the whole course of the song, I never thought "wow, this sure is
long...".

You really can compose - and she sure can play.

Bravo to the both of you!

Check out my latest song called Good Things Come in Fours

composerclark

composerclark said 1398 days ago (January 9th, 2006)

To be honest...
Thanks Einar, your comments are much apprecieated. I just checked your
profile, and I see you don't live that far from me, relatively speaking. We get
visitors from Iceland here (Newfoundland) fairly frequently, usually on shopping
trips. Cheers!

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

notsosweet	notsosweet said 1398 days ago (January 9th, 2006)
	Fresh This is fantastic. I'm truly impressed with your composition style... it's so emotive and fresh. Check out my latest song called The Broken Doll's Waltz

composerclark

composerclark said 1398 days ago (January 9th, 2006)

Fresh
Thanks! Very nice of you. A lot of the music that I studied from the past
century seemed to be deliberately turning its back on emotionalism, so I gave
this approach a try for some years, I really did (!), but at some point I just said,
"oh, what the hell," and started trying to tap in to the emotional roller coaster
that I seem constantly to be riding. It kind of wears a person out after a while,
but hopefully it makes for okay music.

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Tadashi Togawa	Tadashi Togawa said 1398 days ago (January 10th, 2006)
	Beautiful disappointed love The discord is a pain in the mind. A beautiful silence is providing of the life. Check out my latest song called Mexican taste

composerclark	composerclark said 1396 days ago (January 11th, 2006)
	Beautiful disappointed love Thank you, Tadashi. Your comments are always like poetry. Very thought- provoking. All the best! --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Tom Atwood

Tom Atwood said 1398 days ago (January 10th, 2006)

Language
I once compared a Tobin Mueller piece ("Just Above the Ground") to
language, specifically to a familiar voice that I had not heard in years,
or had forgotten. Your music, this piece in particular, also makes me
feel like like I am listening to someone speak in a similar forgotten
dialect. The entire piece is dark and lovely, especially the
restrained tango sections, almost like bookends themselves.

Excellent performance and recording.

Check out my latest song called Keep Looking for Jesus (MJRF)

composerclark

composerclark said 1396 days ago (January 11th, 2006)

Language
Thanks Tom. Your comment made me want to hear the Mueller piece you
mention, but either it's not there any longer, or I'm just not seeing it. I
enjoyed listening to some of his other pieces though.

In some of my music I like to take familiar materials and recombine them in
(hopefully) unfamiliar ways -- every moment in every piece doesn't have to be
completely original, nor can it be -- and the basic premise in "Last Dance" is
pretty obvious; I took some very familiar musical gestures, like the "habañera"
rhythm and a descending chord progression (Am, G, F, E) that everyone has
heard, and played with it. If I do this properly, the effect on the listener is
ideally something like what you describe, where there is both a sense of
recognition and a sense of exploring something new.

And yes, it IS an excellent performance and recording! In case this sounds
immodest, I say this because it was performed (and commissioned by)
Kristina Szutor, one of Canada's best pianists, and professionally recorded,
edited, and mastered. All I did was write the music.

Thanks again!
Clark

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Cori Ander

Cori Ander said 1398 days ago (January 10th, 2006)

Ohhhp ...
Ohhhp ... hmmm ... don't really know what to say ... or how to start ...
am kind of flabbergasted ...

My first reflection was that it seems to me like Kristina understands
your music perfectly well. Sounds like she's right there in the middle of
its core, just as if this was her natural way of contemplating in front of
her piano, something she does every day, alone, unknowingly of the
powerful geniallity that comes out of it.

Next reflection was how I personally feel so perfectly at home in this
music.

Next an almost desperate question to myself: Why am I not able to
make this kind of music myself? A kind of music that speaks from the
middle of my soul. I felt like "this is MY music" ... Yes, of course I know
it is yours, but can't argue with feelings, they appear before any clever
argument ...

Next wave of thoughts: Some day ... some day ... I shall be able to
make my music. The music that sings from the core of my soul... quite
soon ... in just a couple of years ...

Almost a shocking experience. Very needed and very welcome. Thanks
a lot!

Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 1398 days ago (January 10th, 2006)
	Oops... Sorry for making two comments. Got an error message after trying to submit the comment and didn't know the first one was accepted and clicked again... Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

composerclark

composerclark said 1396 days ago (January 11th, 2006)

Ohhhp ...
Flabbergasting folks is what I'm all about :-)

You appear to be someone who feels things very deeply, and it comes
through in your guitar playing (I just left a comment to that effect on your
traditional wedding march submission).

One of the lucky parts of my job is that my colleagues include some of this
country's best performers, and Kristina is a fantastic pianist. I will pass on
your compliment to her.

You mention your affinity for this music, and I am touched by this. The music
I have written for most of my career has been heard by "classical" or
"contemporary classical" music audiences, and, while it has always been
gratifying to have people tell me that they were moved by the music (which
doesn't happen all that often, but sometimes it does), I have always wondered
what a more generalized audience (lovers of many different kinds of music)
would respond to it, which is why I joined MacJams. So, I very much
appreciate your comment.

Finally, good music is everyone's, or at least it belongs to anyone who
appreciates it, so sure, this can be thought of as "your" music too! I don't
know that you can't make this kind of music yourself... I do know that, from
what I have heard, you make your own unique brand of soulful music. All any
of us can do is keep trying to express what we wish to express, and hope that
it touches a few others, and you already do that.

Thanks so much for the comments!

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Cori Ander

Cori Ander said 1398 days ago (January 10th, 2006)

Ohhhp ...
Ohhhp ... hmmm ... don't really know what to say ... or how to start ...
am kind of flabbergasted ...

My first reflection was that it seems to me like Kristina understands
your music perfectly well. Sounds like she's right there in the middle of
its core, just as if this was her natural way of contemplating in front of
her piano, something she does every day, alone, unknowingly of the
powerful geniallity that comes out of it.

Next reflection was how I personally feel so perfectly at home in this
music.

Next an almost desperate question to myself: Why am I not able to
make this kind of music myself? A kind of music that speaks from the
middle of my soul. I felt like "this is MY music" ... Yes, of course I know
it is yours, but can't argue with feelings, they appear before any clever
argument ...

Next wave of thoughts: Some day ... some day ... I shall be able to
make my music. The music that sings from the core of my soul... quite
soon ... in just a couple of years ...

Almost a shocking experience. Very needed and very welcome. Thanks
a lot!

Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

Leon	Leon said 1397 days ago (January 10th, 2006)
	Wow I have no expertise when it comes to classical music (heck, do I have expertise in anything? :-), but I can say this piano sound is very moving, full of emotion... I can tell you piano playing is right up there at the master level..or better maybe. I just know it wi! Great job. Check out my latest song called The Nightingale (music and lyrics by Oceans)

Leon	Leon said 1397 days ago (January 10th, 2006)
	Wow Ooops..typo there.. I said I just know it will take me decades of intensive piano lessons for me to come close to playing piano as masterfully as you do. --- The lion roars, the eagle soars. Check out my latest song called The Nightingale (music and lyrics by Oceans)

composerclark

composerclark said 1396 days ago (January 11th, 2006)

Wow
Thanks! My theory is that you shouldn't need expertise to enjoy good music in
any style, and anyway, you already appear to have some expertise as a crafty
songwriter and singer! Thanks for the compliment, though. BTW, I am a lousy
piano player (!); the player on this recording is my colleague, Kristina Szutor,
and she's an amazing pianist.

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

kristyjo

kristyjo said 1396 days ago (January 11th, 2006)

Beautiful, sad, hopeful
so many emotions played through me as I listened to this piece. I really
enjoyed the beginning and the end. The middle section was less
comfortable, but fascinating to listen to. Wonderful composition, played
by an awesome performer, and engineered by an obvious professional.
I am still working on developing and spinning out my compositional
ideas, and I'm in awe of your abilities to get this complexity of music and
emotions from your head & your heart onto paper so other people can
perform it.

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

composerclark

composerclark said 1396 days ago (January 11th, 2006)

Beautiful, sad, hopeful
Thanks for another very nice comment, Kristine. I'm not 100% sure I like the
fiery, aggressive material in the middle as much as I do the outer tango
sections either, but I've kept it there (with a few minor modifications since
this was recorded) because I wanted to convey a sense of raw, intense
passion, teetering on the edge of loss of control, after which the more
subdued mood of the return to the tango material would, I thought, be more
effective by contrast. In a tango, the passion is high, but controlled and
stylized, and I just wanted a section where it wasn't stylized or controlled, a
kind of cathartic acting out.

If that makes any sense!

I am grateful for your appreciation of my music, especially since you too are a
teacher and have obviously spent much time developing your musical craft.
There was a point in my life where I found myself working as a department
store sales clerk, wishing I could one day become a musician, but I'd had very
little musical training. I loved music with a passion, though, and after much
hemming and hawing (particularly the latter), I decided to take the leep of
going back to school to learn as much as I could about music, so that I
wouldn't go through life wishing I were doing something that I wasn't.

Little did I know at the time that I would spend the next 14 years studying
music, eventualy getting a doctorate. And, like you, I am fortunate to work as
a teacher, so I am continually learning new things and new techniques from
the scores that we study in class; the learning never ends. I look forward to
hearing more of your music, and thanks again!

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Nolan	Nolan said 1396 days ago (January 12th, 2006)
	Handy having a friend like that... ...to play your song for you. Awesome stuff - there wouldn't be many friends who can play that for you. Well done to you both. Check out my latest song called Fine

composerclark	composerclark said 1395 days ago (January 13th, 2006)
	Handy having a friend like that... Thanks very much, Nolan, and thanks for stopping by! --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

dreadmon	dreadmon said 1393 days ago (January 14th, 2006)
	Another wonderful piece This is great, I love atonal work - and so contemporary this is too. The changes in moods are well presented and the performance is abso brill - thanks for sharing this music with us! Check out my latest song called Dive!

composerclark

composerclark said 1393 days ago (January 14th, 2006)

Another wonderful piece
Thanks a lot, man. I very much appreciate your comments. For what it's worth,
"Last Dance" is actually in Am, but it uses lots of chromaticism (colour), which
might be why it can sound atonal. I love the murky area between tonality and
atonality. Cheers!

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Cameron

Cameron said 1393 days ago (January 15th, 2006)

Truly excellent
Your treatment of the piano in the first section is contemplative and the texture is often very transparent, which allows each note to ring. It has an almost "new age" feeling; very laid-back and meditative. The notes unfold like the petals of a lotus.

The tango style is intriguing, and beguiling. The juxtaposition of "traditional" harmonies with unexpected dissonances is quite artistic and stimulating to the ear.

I like the quickly rippling arpeggios.

The transition to the more jazzy, rhythmic middle section is a welcomed change-of-pace. It is more of a showcase for the obvious virtuosity of the pianist, who exhibits truly excellent playing!

Wonderful transition back to the earlier mood, 3/4 into the piece. It is gratifying to hear a composition with a discernable beginning, middle and end! Everything links together seamlessly, from one section to the next; maintaining a consistent "mood" throughout the piece.

There are hints of many styles here (Debussy, Ravel, Chick Corea, Scriabin....), adding various spices to this dish. But it all fits together superbly.

Wonderful composition, excellent piano playing and crystal-clear recording.

Bravi!!

P.S. *THIS* piece should have been #1 in rating picks, as far as I'm concerned.

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

composerclark

composerclark said 1391 days ago (January 16th, 2006)

Truly excellent
Thank you Cameron. Some pieces come more easily than others, and this
one was initially one of the more painful ones to write. I'd spend a month or
two working on stuff, show it to the wonderful pianist who commissioned me,
and she'd say, "sorry, that's not what I'm looking for." Usually, when a
commissioner doesn't care for what I write for them, they just play it once
and shove it in a very deep drawer, never to look at it again. I appreciated
Kristina's honesty in communicating her feelings, so I tried again, and again,
until one day, after about three months of this, the first couple of minutes of
the tango just happened. That she liked, and so I was off to the
races, and the rest of it came relatively quickly.Cameron, your comments
are always unusually thoughtful; I always read them carefully, and I value
them. Thanks very much.

---
Last upload: Julia's Prelude. Visit my website for lots more free music.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

	millie said 1369 days ago (February 7th, 2006)
	Peaceful I grew up on pop music, so I have very little expertise in this area. My daughter sings opera, so over the years we have learned to like & enjoy classical music. So far all of the piano pieces that I have heard have been wonderful. I am so impressed by your talent. I am glad that it is long, because I could listen to it for hours. Thanks

composerclark

composerclark said 1366 days ago (February 11th, 2006)

Peaceful
Thank you for your comment. For what it's worth, I too grew up on
pop music. My all-time favorite band was (and remains) the Beatles. But, just as
the musical tastes of the individuals who made up the Beatles changed
tremendously over the life span of that band, the kind of music I like to listen to
(and write) has changed a lot over the years. But I still like pop music a lot; it's
not like developing a love for other kinds of music negates the kind of joy you
get from listening to pop. Anyway, I'm very pleased you were able to find and
enjoy this, and I welcome any other comments you may have on other pieces.
Hopefully we can hear some of your music at some point too.

Clark

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Scorpjammer	Scorpjammer said 1350 days ago (February 26th, 2006)
	I just found this on your website. Glad you posted it here. Sorry I didn't find it sooner. A terrific recording. A rich sound and mesmerizing performance. She's talented, indeed. You definitely keep your performers on their toes..and your listeners, too.:) Well done, Kristina! Fine composition, Clarke. Check out my latest song called Seaside Samba

composerclark

composerclark said 1337 days ago (March 12th, 2006)

I just found this on your website.
... Well, I'm very pleased you like it, especially since I've been enjoying your
music, but I should apologize in return for not acknowledging your
comment sooner! I totally missed it 'till just now! Sorry about that.Thanks
for stopping by, and I look forward to hearing more of your tunes.Cheers,
Clark

---
Jennifer's Tune

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

GUION	GUION said 1272 days ago (May 16th, 2006)
	Great work. Great work. It remembers Satie to me. Delicious. Congratulations. Check out my latest song called Baxar

composerclark	composerclark said 1272 days ago (May 16th, 2006)
	Great work. Thanks for the kind words. It is very encouraging. And welcome to MJ's, by the way! --- New work for <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20829">live orchestra</a>. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Morris R

Morris R said 1255 days ago (June 2nd, 2006)

Highlight
Well, I'd have to say this is the highlight of all the pieces I've heard so far.
It's beautifully played, and I'd have to say this is one of the most beautiful
pieces I've ever heard, and I used to play classical piano very seriously for
many years when I was a lot younger. That performer is unbelievable. If I
had a tenth of her talent I'd be happy. I see (or at least I think I see) that a
lot of people gave the performance/production a 7 (? hard to tell), which
tells me that I'm likely to find even better performances here at MacJams.
Which I'm looking forward to hearing! This is a great site.

composerclark

composerclark said 1251 days ago (June 5th, 2006)

Highlight
Thanks very much. What can I say? The performer is truly excellent in every
way, and she played this flawlessly, and with a great deal of musical insight. As
i mentioned, it was recorded for a CD, so it's a fully professional recording and
performance. I'm glad you were able to appreciate her playing, and that you
enjoyed this so much. Looking forward to hearing some of your stuff now!

---
New (19 May): <a style="color:blue;font-size:11px;" href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20990">#3 from "Three Lorca Sketches for Orchestra"</a>

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1156 days ago (September 9th, 2006)
	moving I really felt the sadness in this. So expressive, beautiful, lonely, hurt, even devastating. I really am taken by it. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

composerclark	composerclark said 1156 days ago (September 9th, 2006)
	moving (reply) Thanks Peter. It's great that you were able to have a listen; always nice to have appreciative comments, especially on pieces that have been around for a while. The words you used -- sad, lonely, hurt, beautiful -- are exactly what I felt (and still feel) about it, so I'm glad it spoke to you in this way. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Bowman

Bowman said 1034 days ago (January 9th, 2007)

I loved this
A Spanish strain to this. A bittersweet tango. So fresh and filled with feeling and meaning. Has this ever been played before an audience? It has such an intimate yet galvanizing quality. Must be wonderful to experience live.
The pianist has amazing strength and tenderness. Your beautiful language of sound speaks very clearly and deeply to me Clark.
-Bowman

Check out my latest song called The Orion Express - MJ Space Race 2009 by Bowman

composerclark	composerclark said 1033 days ago (January 9th, 2007)
	Thanks Thanks, Charles. Yes it was played live a few times by the pianist for whom I wrote it, and it was a thrill for me to hear how well she played it. I really appreciate your comment. --- Visit my website for lots more free MP3s and scores. Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

stefaan	stefaan said 972 days ago (March 11th, 2007)
	Well This is love and loss the way they never could be expressed in words. I like the way the high and low registers of the piano go their own way but still live together. This is very rich an passionate music. Marvellous, thank you. Stefaan Check out my latest song called cool

composerclark

composerclark said 853 days ago (July 9th, 2007)

Thanks
Thanks so much, Stefaan. I somehow missed the fact that you commented on this piece until just now, so I apologize profusely for not acknowledging your comment sooner! I am glad I found it, though, as I have just had a listen to your "Allemande," and absolutely loved it! I hope you will post more of your music here.

---
ClarkRoss.ca is now welcoming visitors from distant planets -- Apply within

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

moorlandt

moorlandt said 950 days ago (April 2nd, 2007)

my e-friend Clark...
I listened to this song so many times before already. And by every listening I thought: 'come on, just fav it and leave a comment...'. But words are limited. And again, I'm speechless. Sorry Clark, this might sound hyper-sentimental, but I feel just too small to write anything decent and valuable here. Wish I could project my soul in this rectangle box. I hope you get what I feel about this piece and your artistry in general.

- Walter

Check out my latest song called boundaries

composerclark	composerclark said 853 days ago (July 9th, 2007)
	Thanks It is incredibly kind of you to have a listen and leave such a nice comment! Thanks so much. As I said to Stefaan above, I somehow missed these last couple of comments 'till just now, and I apologize for not acknowledging your comment sooner. --- ClarkRoss.ca is now welcoming visitors from distant planets -- Apply within Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

	said 576 days ago (April 11th, 2008)
	Fantastic Mr. Clark, this is a true masterpiece. The piano playing is superb. It's long but I couldn't feel that because it's enjoyable to listen to. Very dark, sad to happy at times. Amazing! My 10's Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

composerclark	composerclark said 576 days ago (April 11th, 2008)
	Thanks Thanks very much for your generous comment, Yeman A. Al-Rawi (aka Birdman). I'm very happy that you enjoyed it and didn't find yourself bored by its length! I'm also appreciative of your comment, because it was the first comment in over a year on this piece! Cool! Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

Daugrin	Daugrin said 176 days ago (May 16th, 2009)
	Last Dance I love your little color chord stabs and clusters. The voicings intoxicate, feels moving onto the next texture... Downloaded for futher study. Astounding... Daugrin Check out my latest song called Daphne w/ Andy Wigzell

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