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About time I upload something. Here's a little romanticism for you. Hope you all enjoy, and as always, any sort of comments are welcome. I'd especially like to hear your thoughts on enharmonics. Special thanks to PeterthePapercomPoser for your advice with this one.

Hi everyone! Here is a piece that I wrote called "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath", it is inspired by the novel wrote in 1927 by American writter H.P. Lovecraft. I wanted to describe this weird winded-dream in which Lovecraft plunges his character Randolph Carter into. I've used some weird and unusual progressions and ambient sounds through the piece to try and describe this strange and dreamy universe of the novella. Any feedback from composition to production is much appreciated!

Peter, You are absolutely right. This concerto is more of a piano & violin piece accompanied by an orchestra. However, since I am a bad pianist I thought that a concerto for average pianist could be useful to show-off with minimal piano capabilities. Nevertheless, I also agree that it probably sounds more like a soundtrack while missing a theme as I focused more on the texture and mood. Thank you for the comment as I indeed need to work on that. On those aspect I believe that the next short piano music accompanied by the orchestra is better. Isn't it? Cheers, Syrel

The overall goal of this was to write a decent melody. It's always been a weak spot of mine, as I usually stuck to motivic and rhythmic development. I'm glad you found this enjoyable, thanks for listening! You're right, I didn't adhere to a specific scale in this, but instead went with the chords. Not sure if that's good or bad, maybe it's a jazz way of looking at things. This piece actually started over an improvisation that I'd always do over the A section chords, and eventually lead to writing a piece with it. If you're interested, I mainly stuck to the Ebm/Gb scale, but the Ebb7+5 I used whole tone, and the Dbbdim7 I used the dim. scale. I'm glad you dug the fioraituras, they were a first for me. You're right, I was thinking Bb phrygian dominant over that. It's a easy cool trick to use that scale over the the V chord in minor, maybe adding touches of that A nat. as a color note on the Bb turns. Those sections took me the longest to write, as I went through countless failed attempts at trying to notate it. I tried doing an abnormal measure where you can just fit all the notes in with a smaller notehead size, but ultimately it never panned out. I was originally going to just record myself playing those sections, because you're right; they're not supposed to be all even. I liked the accelerandos, but ultimately that's a gift for the performer to play as they wish. Any of the sections I wrote expressivo, I wanted the performer to have control over tempo. You're too kind, thanks for the encouraging words. I have to admit, I've done so much "non-concert hall" music over that last few years that I was beginning to feel like I didn't have this style of music in me anymore. It was fun to write for piano again, I'll try to keep posting this stuff. Hell, I might even learn it to tempo at some point and record it myself. I'm really glad you enjoyed it, and thanks again for the help with notating! Next time I'll save myself some trouble and write in C lol.

I did listen to the piano version ... and a very nice job with the orchestration. Mark

Music & Production by Syrel Voices: Thanks to the Apple singers for their support - Inara Apple, Leena Apple, Theo Apple, Yasmin Apple, Levy Apple, Sean Apple, Wilson Apple, Tonya Apple and Wyn Apple Photography by L&M Communication (Syrel)

In fact I love the end too! You can hear it coming from a mile away but then you have this long decrescendo which just sucks you in. It's like the most nonchalant ending, I love it! I'm telling you - this piece will live in (in)famy on here! Superb!

You're welcome! I can see why you asked about enharmonics on this given the gypsy theme. I didn't actually check if you used any gypsy scales in this piece but it certainly sounds exotic. I love the improvisatory character of many sections of this including the heavily syncopated parts as well as the fioraturas in the cadenza-like parts. I think varying the tempo during those parts could have given them an added level of humanization although nothing can replace an actual performance which this piece could benefit greatly from (and it certainly deserves one). But you do vary the tempo in many other places so that's a welcome feature. I think spelling the Fb7 chords with a D natural was totally appropriate when resolving to Eb minor especially given the gypsy influence in this piece, which, without knowing what specific gypsy scales you might have used or not, is fitting given that they're never diatonic. Actually - I just looked and it looks like you might be using one of two possible gypsy scales - the double harmonic scale or the phrygian dominant scale - they both have that b2nd degree. Although it doesn't sound like you limit yourself to any particular scale at all which I love since it results in always fresh and unexpected harmony. I love the beginning - it sounds so seductive - like something out of a dream. I like also how you follow your own advice that you often give me which is to give your music lots of room and space to breathe which you do beautifully. I do have to give you props for how well crafted your fioraturas are. I also love your judicious use of the damper pedal also sometimes resorting to a dryer sound during the syncopated parts. Another really dynamic aspect of this piece is that it's through-composed. All it's parts clearly belong together however and have a high level of thematic unity despite much variety. Great job and keep up the good work! I am already addicted to this piece so thanks for sharing!

the first 11 seconds sounds so familiar. this piece has some interesting harmonic changes and a beautiful melody. the part at 74 was an interesting change of texture, I like how in this spot and in others you weren’t afraid to detract from romanticism, that part sounds almost “pop-y,” kinda reminds me of video game music

What a perfect ending to an angst ridden emotional piece! I love the swell to a full brassy forte before a decrescendo to niente. It's beautifully orchestrated - great job and thanks for sharing!