Beauty Rises From The Ashes

Hi everyone!

Here is my latest piece.

Inspired by others on this site, I decided to attempt something more atonal than my previous works.

I wanted it to sound cinematic and suspenseful; but you can be the judge whether I succeeded!

I don't have much going on in the bass register for much of the piece: so wondered if I should add a cello drone or something else in the bass clef?

The problem I find, is the bass notes totally change the character of the harmonies above, and they sound less pleasing to the ear.

Haven't made a score for it yet; but may try to produce a temporary one later.

Not quite sure about the title. Another option I thought of was "Beautiful Fear".

Alex, you have some very nice ideas/effects etc., in this work.  You create an ominous  mood - which is perfect for a horror movie.  As I listened I created a story to go along with the sound track.  My only suggestion is that the various musical scenes jump about for my taste too much ... I think a more clearly stated series of thematic ideas developed and spread throughout the work would better hold together the work.  Overall, an interesting listening piece which does provoke the imagination.

Mark

I think this is more chromatic than atonal, but it doesn't matter. 

I agree that there are "many things" in four minutes and a half. Interesting. Not all parts suit only for a horror movie (that's the stigma of atonality ?)

Really pleased you both liked it!

Probably should've called the piece dissonant rather than atonal.

Agree it doesn't always flow as well as it might.
The work grew organically as I wrote it, with each passage developing from the previous one.
I though of it like a conversation between different sections of the orchestra.
Maybe I unconsciously created a fractured structure, to match the unsettling nature of the music.

Alex,

As per the question abut the Bass Clef ... I do think lower bass and percussion wold add to the work and would be a good texture contrast to the upper strings.

Mark

Just have a quick question about my score for this work.

Wondered whether I should change the notation of the glissandi in Bars 22-23?
I want the pitch slide to start right at the beginning of Bar 22: so should I use crotchets or quavers there instead of dotted semibreves? 
Also should they be portamento instead of glissando?