PeterthePapercomPoser

Hi @BlackkBeethoven The first PDF file that you've uploaded doesn't seem to be working, so I have to pause the YT video to compare your score to the original piece. I think you've chosen a very difficult piano piece to orchestrate. I am assuming it was your choice to orchestrate whatever piano piece you wanted since you say you like Florence Price so much. I could say more about your choice given that you knew you only had 4 minutes to work with and the piece is over 7 minutes long - but it's too late to bother about that now. This piece is difficult to orchestrate because of the many florid fioraturas/roulades that it contains. But there are things you could do to facilitate them throughout the orchestra. First, since the fioraturas in the beginning go all the way from the very high range to the moderately low, I would have made sure to give those to the strings since they have a more homogeneous sound throughout their range. So I'm surprised to see that you have just the Flutes/Piccolo on that part - that part is very thinly scored and isn't utilizing the full body of the orchestra. If I had my way with that part I would have given it to the woodwinds and the strings doubling each other + harp. I'm guessing you don't have harp. You've retained the piano staff in this score even though the piano doesn't play anything. I don't think you should have the piano play anything in this orchestration because it would most likely serve as a crutch to fill in holes that your orchestration should fill. Speaking of holes - in measure 6 you have the trombone start the low melody but then it's not continued for some reason. You score the melody more fully without fragmentation in measures 8 - 9. Throughout this whole introduction you really underuse the strings and I think for that reason the piece doesn't sound fully scored. Those are just my first impressions of the introduction of the piece. Good luck in your final and thanks for sharing!

The submissions are final at the time that they are submitted to the competition. (I will add this to the competition announcement - thanks for bringing this up)

No you can review the submissions as they are being submitted. But the final public voting polls to determine who will get which badge will not be publicized until after June 2nd.

Thought I'd throw out some more ideas: "Concrete Jungle Award" "Terra Firma Award" "Perspective from the Peak Award" If you have any more ideas don't hesitate to suggest! Or if you're already composing something for the competition and want to tailor an award for your particular landscape idea, feel free to suggest that too!

Hey @Aiwendil ! Nice job on this elegant classical work! I would have called this piece "Divertimento in Bb for Wind Octet". But no matter - very enjoyable nonetheless! I love the unexpected discordant moments in the 1st movement! The 2nd movement almost lulls me into boredom, but soon enough a contrasting section brings renewed musical interest. The 3rd movement to me sounds like a peaceful countryside carriage ride. I'm surprised that you included two minuets in this Divertimento. I would have opted to write one minuet and a scherzo for variety's sake. But it certainly is vivacious and full of positive energy! The Presto movement is probably my favorite of the bunch! It's very scherzo-like with its constant sudden dynamic surprises. Another thing I wanted to mention is that the whole work is very well proportioned! Each movement is about 5 minutes long with no movement being more important than the others. Great job and thanks for sharing! I enjoyed it thoroughly! P.S.: I really loved the funny modulations in the last movement! They're full of Mozartean humor - almost like those polytonal moments in his Musical Joke! Thanks again!

Hey @jejrekmek ! You have such a unique style! Either that or I'm just not too familiar with your influences. Your recordings are amazing. The only thing I wish you included is lyrics to follow along with as I find it hard to understand the words in the recording. It's amazing that you got this performed and recorded so well! It seems so eclectic and eccentric. I'm not even sure how many performers are in this recording and what the instruments are. But I enjoyed it thoroughly! If only I knew the words I could enjoy it all the more deeply! Thanks for sharing!

Hey @skvlkin ! Nice arrangement! Since the usual range of Soprano singers starts at middle C and given that you're arranging this for a middle school choir, it might be advisable to transpose the whole thing up to C minor instead of Bb minor. That way all your low Bb's would be easily reachable by the Soprano soloist. And there doesn't seem to be any really high notes in the piece that would prevent your from transposing it up because of the high range. Also, C minor is a much easier key signature for the middle schoolers to read. That's my only advice and it's coming from someone who doesn't really know too much about voices himself. Thanks for sharing!

Hi @Fruit hunter ! Quite an interesting work full of extended techniques and giving each section of the chamber orchestra interesting parts - including the Violas! My only gripe as a composer and listener of your work is that in this case it seems like there is no justification or musical reason for any of your gestures. The piece seems to be made up primarily of interesting ostinati and various syncopated gestures. This somehow manages to create some musical interest. But, for my own taste, I prefer the musical justification for a piece's existence to come from the themes/melodies which from my perspective, this piece doesn't have. Still, it does work - and I could definitely imagine it as programmatic music for the approach of a black hole. I don't see the "falling in love" theme as very fitting to this piece though. But an approach to a black hole definitely could work. Thanks for sharing!

Hey @Bjarke ! Nice job on this one! It's full of vitality and forward-driving energy! I love it! I don't find any part of it boring and can easily listen to it over and over. To me it doesn't sound so much like clockwork but more like a Spring piece with it's liveliness and exuberance. It doesn't sound mechanical to me. For me, for it to be a piece about clockwork it would have to contain some sense of ticking mechanicality. It's also not the right tempo to sound like a clock. Doesn't matter though, as I think you've created a great piece of music here! Great job and thanks for sharing! P.S.: My only nitpick would perhaps be to have notated this in 6/8, 9/8 or 12/8 as it would become easier to read imo.

Yes - thank you for pointing that out!

I hope you don't mean that you're composing a solo piano type of thing for this competition... Since we're only doing trios, quartets, and quintets. Also.. are you intending to enter this competition or not? You haven't made that clear from your previous posts..

For the "Landscapes - Soundscapes" Spring 2026 Composition Competition I propose the following badges: "The Pastorale Award" "The Bustling Cityscape Award" Anyone have anymore ideas?

Yes! Here's the competition announcement:

Please submit links to your Landscapes - Soundscapes competition pieces here! (Please don't submit your music directly into this thread - rather, create your own dedicated thread where members will be able to review your music there - Upload Your Composition for Analysis and Feedback and then copy and paste the URL of your topic into a reply that you make in this thread). Thank you for your participation! To read the requirements/specifications of the competition and declare your intent to participate go here: