John_Joe_Townley

Thanks for the tip, Mike. And yes I will check out your Rhapsody. I started it the other night but got pulled away by an errand. But what I heard was excellent. And thanks much for the tip on NotePerformer3. This one escaped my notice. Must be new. But it doesn't look like it's compatible with Notion 6 yet so my score can't be imported.

Thank you, Luis.

Thank you, Tonskald and Theo for your helpful feedback. I'd like to have a pdf of this but the Notion 3 software I used didn't have pdf capabilities at the time. I agree it would be helpful. Theo, I noted your comment that you don't have enough experience or knowledge about orchestration. Might I suggest you get your hands on a good software (like Notion6 which is inexpensive and has a relatively good sound) and just experiment with various combinations of instruments to get a feel for orchestration. That's basically how I taught myself (such as it is) to orchestrate. I had no training either, but I read up on the instruments' ranges and their capabilities and then tried to emulate what I saw in scores of the great composers. Gradually I got the feel and then tried it on my First Piano Concerto which, though not a masterpiece by any stretch, nevertheless gave me a good intro to writing for an orchestra. Theo, given your raw musical talent and creative impulse, which is immense, I think you could pick up the skill to write for orchestra in a short time. I always mention when the topic comes up that the best tool I ever had far as orchestration goes, outside of the software itself which let me actually hear what I was writing, was learning the 371 Harmonized Chorales and 69 Chorale Melodies with Figured Bass by Albert Riemenschneider. Playing these taught me how to write in four-part, and all sections of the orchestra are basically 4-part (eg flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons). I'd heartily recommend these to any composer trying to learn orchestration.

Amateur composer here. No formal training in orchestration. Self-taught by reading scores. Attempted a second piano concerto after the disappointing results of my first. Sound quality not the best due to some audio deterioration due to the screen capture. The slow waltz 3rd Movement was deleted and the 4th movement now becomes the 3rd Finale. Any and all criticisms, observations would be welcomed. To view properly screen must be enlarged to "full Screen" and the HD 720 p. selected in the "settings. Thank you in advance, JJTownley

It's a very attractive concerto, Mark. I found it by way of Theodore Servin, an extremely talented composer who is also a member here. I think your piano concerto has a lot in common with the Piano Concerto No 1 of Nobert Burgmüller both in mood and technique. Burgmüller was writing in the very early days of the 19th century and I think you concerto reflects this early Romantic style. Solid orchestration and balance of groups of instruments are evident. Well done.

I thought it was very nice. I think you need to venture out a little in your orchestration. Reading through some Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakoff scores would give you an idea of what the orchestra is capable doing. Be bold.