Chamber Suite No. 1

I composed this piece in late 2010-early 2011. I composed it for a string orchestra, a string quartet, and a woodwind quartet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon), and solo piano. This was my first attempt at a serious large scale work and it obviously has flaws in it. 

I couldn't find the original finale files, but I have the audio and a not so cleaned up score, but I'll update it when I find it. I also presented the work to my orchestra conductor at my college, and it was premiered by the chamber orchestra I was part of. I was NOT satisfied with the performance (due to many reasons), but I will include a youtube link to the performance of it (the 1st movement was not played in the live performance). 

Any comments/reviews/bashings appreciated :)

The link to the live performance (the audio/video are not exactly synced for some reason): 

You didn't specify what you think the obvious flaws are. They are not obvious to me in the nuts and bolts. I found it all very clever and very inventive. It held my attention throughout, with many very beautiful gestures.  As an orchestral suite my only complaint is one of proportion. (back seat driving disclaimer) Each movement is far too long with too many ideas. Each movement in a suite should be mono-thematic. I think of Stravinsky's Pulcinella or even Ligeti where each movement is essentially an etude, or snapshot. The music is very fine, even brilliant, but there is no need to throw the kitchen sink into every movement.

19 hours ago, Ken320 said:

Each movement is far too long with too many ideas.

This! After listening to this piece WAY after I wrote it, I came to the same conclusion. And I also agree with everything else you said about the movements in a suite. Though I think it would be more "appropriate" to change the title from Chamber Suite to a Chamber Symphony. Thanks for the feedback!

That sounds like a good idea. I thought of suggesting it but I didn't want to be too pushy.

2 hours ago, danishali903 said:

I think it would be more "appropriate" to change the title from Chamber Suite to a Chamber Symphony.

Funny how a simple word in the title is a game-changer in terms of audience expectations.

This is very cool! I have to say so far I'm liking the 2nd movement a bit more than the first. This style of music is not quite what I am used to, so I'll try to provide as constructive feedback as possible, but I can tell you already that, and this is just my opinion, but those loud chords in the piano in the second movement, not too long after the beginning? I think they would sound better if they were pedaled. To me in the recording it sounds like they were played dry, but I don't know if that was intentional or not. That's really the only thing that's stuck out to me so far in the second movement.

Ok it sounds like the third movement is starting now. Oh man... oh this is gorgeous! Dude I really really like this movement so far. That introduction was absolutely sublime, and the faster theme that follows it is quite nice and perky, and very catchy! Very nice! Oh and it's going back into those nice slow rich textures again... So far I'd have to say the third movement is the highlight of the piece. I would have maybe liked to hear those slow themes a little bit more, perhaps I enjoyed them a little too much! lol

Ok fourth movement time... This is cool! I'm liking the folksy string elements so far. This is going all over the place, but not necesarilly in a bad way. It sounds very cool! Sorry that I can't be more specific than that but like I said this style is different than what I'm used to.

Overall, one of my main feelings is that perhaps the first movement doesn't quite fit the piece like the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th do... and I'm not sure why. It could just be because it's the only one that wasn't in the live recording, but it was definitely the one I had the hardest time immersing myself into. By the second movement I was quite enjoying it, and by the third movement, I was hooked. That third movement is just absolutely great. Highlight of the piece for sure, and the fourth movement rounds it up with a nice finish.

Very nice!

Edit: Ok upon listening again I redact what I originally said about the first movement feeling out of place. I now think it's due to comparing it to the live recordings for the other three movements.

Thanks for the feedback Jair! The 1st movement I think is definitely more sprawled out and not as focused as the others. The "official" reason I got from my conductor for not playing the 1st movement was that it was just not ready by the time of the performance (which I wholeheartedly agreed with). 

And yes, those chords in the 2nd movement WERE played dryed and not pedaled. There were more little changes like that...hence me not being super satisfied with the live performance. 

I like this.  I do agree that it's more evolved than a suite.

My only real critique would be in the second movement.  When you return to the A theme (pge 55 in the score), it feels like it was thrown in as an after thought.  I don't have a problem with this happening, but perhaps a smoother transition coming out of the 6/8 section.  I do like the 3 vs 2 in this section by the way.

I enjoyed this.