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ben, I wrote the entire thing on the computer starting with the melodic line and harmonising with the string pad. I'd agree that nothing happens in the arrangement much, but it does modulate a fair bit. I haven't actually been able to figure out which specific keys I've used, but there are at least 3. Perhaps if I can bash out a pdf of the score someone can help...

I registered a while ago, but I don't believe I posted anything (well maybe one thing). Well, here I offer up something I worked on years ago now, and I had trouble figuring out where to go with it. Originally I was following some suggestions from Musical Composition by Smith Brindle on building melodies, but I may have made the mistake of harmonising too early. I suppose the other question is, does it sound like it wants to be a small piece or something more extended? Rather than attach a file, I've got a link to bandcamp already as I was trying it out: http://arpa.bandcamp.com/ - I call the thing "Eastern Mystery" because it sounds vaguely oriental. This seemed like a good place for some more detailed feedback - at the moment I don't have a lot of technical commentary on how my ideas can be developed, although I do have a very good selection of books to help.

I'm not experienced enough to comment on the technical aspects, but from the way it sounds I'd say it lacks textural variety and enough variation in the rhythmic patterns. There are a couple of places where the bass part drops out (m14 and m25) and you use the pedal to create a good pause in the torrent of notes. I know how tricky it is to write twelve-tone pieces so I'm impressed you've finished something this extended. Did you have a plan for the piece and what it might express?

Schoenberg used 4ths stacked on top of each other in the chamber symphony and one of the six little piano pieces. Smith Brindle uses them as examples in his muscial composition book. Really the main thing is to see what results you can get out of the technique...