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Alex, Thanks for the review. I have added to my composition as per discussions with my mentor. He suggested that the dramatic arch in the allegro midsection needed a bit of boost. So that's what I have worked on these last few weeks. So the struggle in the music becomes most strident before the improved transition to the resignation at the end. I'll post what I have modified when I am satisfied with the changes. Mark PS: I love Prokofiev and Shostakovich!!

I struggle a lot when trying to compose for solo instrument

Just daily improvisation, Love that quartal harmony

Hi there! This is a good start. However, may it would hurt looking at string writing: quartets and such. That would definitely guide you. Between Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and others, you have over 100 works. Next, I would remove the vocals. There is no real need for them. This is a piano quartet. Ergo. the main theme should go to the flute, the piano provides the accompaniment, and strings either provide the interact with flute and or provide background material. Now MuseScore does not have the best samples out there. There are better ones. Musio and East west are step up if you are on the budget. If you have resources, look into getting a daw and score writer. You will need it.

Wow dude, this was great. "This is my new favorite thing from you" feels like my new catch phrase lately, but it's true here. Your playing is far from inadequate, you're a tremendous player, so grats on that. Yes, yes it is. Very much so, I'd say. Your writing is very honest, and I really love that this was a recording of you and not a computer. The note choices were yours, what felt best in your own hands instead of theory crafting what should sound great with notation software playback. I'm really impressed with your craftsmanship. In the first movement, you took two widely different themes and developed them together really well. I love how after the repeat you take the 2nd themes texture but make it more somber, and then you take the 1st theme's character and blended it with the phrasing of the 2nd. Very cool and creative stuff to me. And again with the themes, it was awesome to hear how you made a piece with two very different "feels". At first I didn't care for it, but as the piece went on I liked it more and more, so much so that I want to try it out for myself at some point. Your recording served justice to with the tempo and rubato, as the 1st theme is almost timeless and improvisational, and the 2nd with it's stricter dance rhythm. The 2nd movement was very cool too, much for the same reasons. Just the way you develop your material is outstanding. If there's any note I could think of for future compositions, I'd say just watch the length of those diminished transitions you have. Sometimes that effect would get a little stale to my ears. Maybe developing that texture a little would work if you like the length? Otherwise, figuring out your sequence to getting back to a certain key or whatever on those static diminished harmonies might be better if done more succinctly. That's subjective I'd say. Overall this is a well thought out composition and a wonderful performance. I did the same in a time crunch (as far as recording to post), so I know you worked hard and practiced a bunch to give us the best representation of your music. You didn't settle for the midi, and I applaud your work. I would have been disappointed if you had written about anything else. For a holiday all about the heart, it was nice to hear what was in yours. Can't wait for the final movements, awesome music!

Well it sounds very militaristic, and spanish

Thanks! I think I should elaborate that besides just repeating single notes, repeating or sequencing (repeating at a different pitch level) 3 to 5 note fragments of the theme can also be very useful as the contour of the original theme is retained but with possibly new rhythmic and/or harmonic significance.