The Clash of Cultures (for String Orchestra)

Being a boy growing up in Hong Kong and studies music in the UK, here's a piece that I compose which may sound like both asian and western music.

i can feel the emotion in this piece, and I like it. But there are some points I would have worked in a different eay:

1. Sudden contrast f to p or pp... This is seen in the early classicism. I don't see it in this romantic context where the climax is built bit by bit.

2. I think the homophonic texture (vertical) is overused. 

3. There is no clear sensation of Form. It seems it all goes forward...+

Samuel, I admire your bravery in accomplishing East meets West!

Barriers crumble under the want of the artist, I'm humbled to mention my short, short work, "Fugue on a Korean Theme," a variation on "Saya Saya" the emotions are tantamount, tremendous, and the artist, left mostly with want.

You did a great work!

If that wasn't challenging enough, imagine, "The Clash of Cultures," with choir, too!  😂🤣😂

Great work, Samuel!  👍🤙

This is quite good!

Your string writing is nice, but I think the score is in desperate need of phrasing markings (slurs, bowings, articulation markings, etc.)! Adding more tempo fluidity might help with phrasing as well...but I guess that's more of a subjective take.

I do agree with @Luis Hernández that the piece does get a little tiresome due to the homophonic nature. I think there are areas where some counterpoint/development would be beneficial (especially towards the end of the piece). 

I quite liked it. The harmonies are often very beautiful. The problem I have is that the direction of the piece is not clear although it does seems to want to go clearly from A to B (and back to A? You do hint on a resolution). If you can bring more clarity to it I think that would help the piece. 

On 10/30/2021 at 8:55 AM, Jan-Peter said:

You do hint on a resolution

 

Yes.  That's the pleasure of East meets West!

2 minutes ago, Vonias said:

Yes.  That's the pleasure of East meets West!

 

To only hint on it? I didn't study the score so the mechanism may all be clear when you do but I don't hear it on the 'surface'. If this duality between mechanism and surface is meant to be than he did a good job.

2 hours ago, Jan-Peter said:

To only hint on it? I didn't study the score so the mechanism may all be clear when you do but I don't hear it on the 'surface'. If this duality between mechanism and surface is meant to be than he did a good job.

 

Yes.  I hint to the listener, a swer to the maker; should the composer feel so humble and kind, he may allow.

30 minutes ago, Vonias said:

Yes.  I hint to the listener, a swer to the maker; should the composer feel so humble and kind, he may allow.

 

Why do you answer for Samuel Tang? Do you know his intentions with the piece?

3 minutes ago, Jan-Peter said:

Why do you answer for Samuel Tang? Do you know his intentions with the piece?

 

Yes.

3 minutes ago, Vonias said:

Yes.

 

Are you Samuel Tang?

There is being and there is becoming. There is music that is static and there is music that develops (and often returns to its beginning). This music seems to be neither of those, which makes it interesting why it is made the way it is. Can you Samuel/Vonias explain?