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If I'm in the earliest stages of inventing thematic material, I'll work at the piano and sketch it out with pencil and paper. But that's really just to get it written down so I don't forget it. From there I'm immediately thinking of orchestral voicings and instruments. Ideas usually come into my head in the order texture first, then instrumentation, then notes, so tone color is an essential aspect from the beginning. I never, ever write a piano piece first and then orchestrate it. I'll develop a plan for the form of the piece in my head as I go, but I don't write it down.

I sketch out all my musical material first in a piano partiture before I arrange it for whatever kind of ensemble I end up choosing. But I think that can also hold you back since the orchestra is capable of so much more details and density than a piano. I've heard that John Williams uses a piano partiture for each respective section of the orchestra: woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings (and I think 8-bit music theory does the same thing). I sometimes resort to writing for the string orchestra (5 staves) with doubling indicated for some other instruments. I don't generally ever write down a formal plan.

Memories was inspired by the events that are still happening in Ukraine. It starts with a chamber ensemble, which is then accompanied by a Celtic choir and a classical soprano. I hope you will appreciate the concept even though it is a bit iconoclast for chamber music. Cheers,