My Year Review, 2022 Sep-2023 Sep

Hi I am Henry. This is the first year I have joined YC. What a fruitful year this is! I am very grateful to have accidentally joined YC and have the chance to see many great composers and works here, which are in different styles, and through reviewing and communicating I think I have made some progress too. Also I get a chance to share my own works here. It’s hard to have fellow musicians to give you advice if it’s not performed in real life. Deepest gratitude to our boss Mike @chopin, since without his persistence (and paying the fee LoL) YC won’t become the oldest forum still existing now.

I have basically reviewed most of the pieces in the forum during this year. I have recently cut down some of the reviewing numbers but hopefully will keep on doing this. What I want to do here is to feature some of the pieces that are the most memorable for me. I will do the orchestral music list first and later the chamber and solo keyboard ones.

I will only select 1 work from each composer in each category to feature more members with different styles. I am more inclined to longer works since I tend to love longer works more (and I myself compose longer works if not overly long LoL). The pieces included here are those I have reviewed before, so they are not necessarily posted within this year. Pieces that are included here of course do not mean that they are not great pieces, since the pieces here are more to my personal taste. And of course there will be many past great pieces that I have missed here. I will only write down some brief sentences on each of them, as I have already provided my reviews on their respective posts and you may check their wonderful music via the link!! 

The order is ranked not in terms of how good the pieces are, but what is more memorable to me since they are included chronologically to my brain’s memory to the works.

Orchestral

1. @PeterthePapercomPoser's Suite for Strings

This one is simply my favourite piece on YC this year, and is undoubtedly my personal no.1 piece. Just listen to the Postlude and I cry every time to it. Sublime in a simple and direct way and you see a beautiful and honest soul here.

2. @gmm's Symphony no.1 mov.1

I am fighting between this one and his suites. If I don’t limit myself to choose only one work from each composer, all of his works will be included here with his masterful orchestration. I choose this one since it’s longer, structurally more complex and chronologically more recent. Hope you will post more frequently!

3. @Thatguy v2.0 's What the Ocean Knows

A great depiction of the ocean here with great quartal and unstable harmony, while at the same time shows how powerful the ocean is. Don't blame me for digging your old posts out LoL bro.

4.  @Camfrtt's Piano Concerto in C minor

I include only the movement three here, since the posts have all 3 movements attached in it. This one is simply a sublime Rachmaninoffian romantic piece which displays great piano virtuosic skills, melodic writing and harmonic progression. Also featured in Mike's video on melodic writing. You are so young and hope you compose more!

5. @Left Unexplained's Odyessey

Such an accomplished piece. Again, all of his orchestral pieces deserve spot here, but only limited by my requirement. His pieces are always full of imaginative orchestral colour. Hope you will post more frequently too!

6. @Quinn's Music for Orchestra 14 - (Approx 5 1/2 minutes)

Great orchestral colour with klangfarbenmelodie technique used. I choose this one over the Sun one simply because this work is more recent. 

7. @Krisp's Lucid REM and Reached Alert

It’s hard to choose between this one and the Nightfall Fugitive or the Gravedigger one. They are all in unique dark style with very colourful orchestration and harmonies. I choose this one simply because two pieces are included here so you may enjoy one more piece!

8. @WowBroThatWasReallyEdgy’s The Tortoise and the Hare

This is the winning piece of the Tortoise and the Hare competition and you know why. Great descriptive piece to depict the two protagonists. 

9.. @Ferrum's Adventure

This is the winning piece of the Bits to Bangers Competition. @Ferrum just transforms the 8 bit melody out of nowhere, from banality to sublimity, from ore to score (yup this is one of the name I think that will fit for the competition but banned LoL). All the color change are creative and the materials are all from that 8 bit melody.

10. @Schorninator's Symphony no.8, 4th movement

This one is just a beautiful tone poem, even though the form may be less noticeable.

I will continue with the selection of the chamber pieces and solo keyboard pieces later. I force myself to 10 pieces here, otherwise I may include much more than this! 

P.S. Don’t forget to watch Mike’s video for the announcement of the Dreamscapes result!!:

Next I will have the chamber pieces here:

1. @Thatguy v2.0's Verdant Dawn

This piece is so vivid at depicting the dawn, and it serves as the main inspiration of my own Wind Quintet. The quartal harmony also inspires my own String Sextet.

2. @Jean Szulc's String Octet

This piece is just a powerful display of rhythmic power. The quartal harmony and idiomatic strings writing are amazing too! Another inspiration for my own String Sextet.

3. @Sean Brown's Romance in D major for violin and piano

This is such a virtuosic showpiece. I don't see any piece as vituosic as this one and Sean plays the violin part himself!!!

4. @Krisp's "Nocturne", for Harp, solo strings, choir, clarinet and voice.

I choose this one over his late Crépuscule d'automne since this one features even more timbre here, but both are excellent and unique, especially with Jean's own rich and mellow singing!

5. @Gwendolyn Przyjazna's Violet for Saxophone Quartet

This one is such a magical piece full of film noir mood. Such a delicious piece for the ear.

6. @Ivan1791's Una noche de primavera (A Spring Night)

Such an emotional deep piece with Ivan's spectacular benighted style! Of course Ivan plays the piano part.

7. @Eickso's Toy Box Suite

Such an impressive piece featuring the percussion instruments and Evan's aleatoric style well fit with the timbre here!

8. @PeterthePapercomPoser's Variations for Wind Trio in Bb minor

There'a no way the king of variations in this site is not featured here with one of his variations. I choose this one over his London Bridge one or the Wind Trio in Gb major one, simply because I love this one more LoL... (wait I forget that the London Bridge is a piano work rather a chamber piece...)

9. @jawoodruff's String Quartet

This one can be hard to get into in the first place, but as Jason has said it IS indeed very serious, and here you will see mature chamber writing!

10. @dhslamas's Variações Seresteiras(Woodwind quintet)

This one is unforgettable even though I remember it in the last place... Great wind colour, mature writing and fascinating harmony and rhythm... Do you want more???

(11. My Own String Sextet LoL... But that will be unfair!!!)

P.S. Remember to watch Mike's premiere on the result announcement for the Dreamscape Competition! 

Henry

Last but not least, pieces for solo keyboard! I will put 15 pieces here since there are many great ones on the forum this year:

1. @Thatguy v2.0’s 12 Preludes

I really like how Vince achieves different styles in his 12 preludes. I have only included the link of no.1 here, but make sure check them all out! (Especially ones that are played by me LoL!)

2. @Antonio Alvarado-Genie's Rusted Box in Wasteland

This one hangs on in my mind for a long time with how honest and crafty this one is!

3. @jejrekmek's Snowfall (Vignettes)

It's hard to decide which one from him is my favourite. They are all simply sublime and sentimental at the same time!

4. @Ferrum’s  Variations on Alula's Theme | From the game OneShot

This is an absolutely amazing set of piano variation with 25 variations!

5. @Carl Koh Wei Hao’s Etude in C sharp minor

Carl has many amazing piano piece but I choose this one since this one is absolutely pianistic and expressive at the same time!

6. @gaspard's French Suite (played on clavichord)

It's hard you see a clavichord piece featured here! Nice playing and a special one.

7. @muchen_'s Keyboard Suite in F major (updated version)

This one is just a comprehensive display of Baroque Suite prowess, with all kinds of dance and especially a gigue featuring the "Row, row, row your Boat" melody!

8. @Claudio Camacho's 2 poèmes

i include only the first one here but you should listen to both! Very sensitive writing and playing!

9. @JWNewton's Ballade in F minor - for the piano

This one is a great display of romantic piano writing! Very chopinistic here.

10. @Omicronrg9's Nocturnes

I cannot choose which one is my favourite, since all of Daniel's nocturnes are unique. His dark but chic style is so distinctive! I choose this one simply because this is the one I comment on first!

11. @Ivan1791's Eternal Dream

This one is simply my favourite from him, in his sensitive and dreamy benighted style! Also listen to this!

12. @ComposedBySam's Nocturne, Op.1 Nr.2

All things from Sam is ultra-expressive, but this one is simply sublime and I'm speechless...

13. @Eickso's Where Light Doesn't Shine

Such a dark one, and combined with aleatoric technique it really displays something Buddhist.

14. @The Turtle's Poetry

Even though I have yet to comment on this, I have listened to it and know how good this is!

15. @veps's 5 Textures

I just include the no.1 here. But all are great impressionistic pieces!

Now I have finished my year review! Thank you all are sharing your music here, and even more so with members who share their thoughts and views with other members!

P.S. Remember to watch Mike's Premiere for the result announcement of the Dreamscapes Competition!

Henry

Thanks for doing this and your support to both the forum + my own pursuits. I love seeing your name show up and it always means a lot that you take time to comment on my work. I wish I had time to be active here less selfishly, but I hope some of my other volunteer efforts morally make up or this…

Regardless, please reach out by email or on my website any time you want my feedback on a work (or just a guaranteed listen)!

Best,

Evan

Hello Henry,

Thank you so much for making this post, and for mentioning a piece of mine! I'm so flattered by your thought and kind words. 🙂 

Might you consider giving a work by @Theodore Servin a mention here? I've seen you leave very kind and enthusiastic comments on his pieces before, and I believe he deserves the honor of being on one of these lists. A deep, sensitive, and talented music maker, in his performance as well as his composition. 😊

And @Ivan1791, it's great to see you here as well -- deservedly! By the way, Una Noche de Primavera has become one of my favorites of yours, if I didn't say it already.

24 minutes ago, Gwendolyn Przyjazna said:

I'm so flattered by your thought and kind words. 🙂

Your piece definitely deserves to be on the list!

24 minutes ago, Gwendolyn Przyjazna said:

Might you consider giving a work by @Theodore Servin a mention here? I've seen you leave very kind and enthusiastic comments on his pieces before, and I believe he deserves the honor of being on one of these lists. A deep, sensitive, and talented music maker, in his performance as well as his composition. 😊

Indeed, had I reviewed his pieces before I should have included his pieces here, especially his Ballade in E flat minor!

24 minutes ago, Gwendolyn Przyjazna said:

And @Ivan1791, it's great to see you here as well -- deservedly! By the way, Una Noche de Primavera has become one of my favorites of yours, if I didn't say it already.

Definitely Ivan's pieces should be included.

And you too Gwendolyn... Finally you reply something after months off!!!!

Henry

Thank you again. 🫠

Theodore's Ballade in E flat minor was just the piece I had in mind too, actually!

I'm glad to be back on Young Composers -- I really should be more active. I love this community. 😄

12 minutes ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Your piece definitely deserves to be on the list!

Indeed, had I reviewed his pieces before I should have included his pieces here, especially his Ballade in E flat minor!

Definitely Ivan's pieces should be included.

And you too Gwendolyn... Finally you reply something after months off!!!!

Henry

 

aw these sorts of posts are so nice, and thank you sm, I wish I wasnt such a lurker/lazyposter

everyone seemed to really like that snowfall piece I wrote, I actually repurposed it as a “song” as well, with what you could call a field recording of my family during a christmas party distorted in the background, I think it adds even more strange feelings to the piece, maybe i’ll post it as well/edit the post to include it?!

6 minutes ago, jejrekmek said:

everyone seemed to really like that snowfall piece I wrote, I actually repurposed it as a “song” as well, with what you could call a field recording of my family during a christmas party distorted in the background, I think it adds even more strange feelings to the piece, maybe i’ll post it as well/edit the post to include it?!

Of course you should post it on YC!!

Hey, this was so unexpected! I imagine it took you quite some time to gather all the pieces and share these posts with us. The effort is very appreciated! 😄
This also reminds me I should start planning to compose an orchestral piece, I hope I will do so between now and 2024.
Also I agree with Gwen, Theodore deserves a place in the chamber music and solo piano spots, he's one of the best composers we have in the forum. But still these 3 posts are so great to get to know pieces and composers I had personally not noticed. Thank you!

7 hours ago, Gwendolyn Przyjazna said:

Hello Henry,

Thank you so much for making this post, and for mentioning a piece of mine! I'm so flattered by your thought and kind words. 🙂 

Might you consider giving a work by @Theodore Servin a mention here? I've seen you leave very kind and enthusiastic comments on his pieces before, and I believe he deserves the honor of being on one of these lists. A deep, sensitive, and talented music maker, in his performance as well as his composition. 😊

And @Ivan1791, it's great to see you here as well -- deservedly! By the way, Una Noche de Primavera has become one of my favorites of yours, if I didn't say it already.

 

Hello! 😄 I didn't know, glad to hear so, I can give you some context on the piece in our Discord conversation.

Hey Ivan!

31 minutes ago, Ivan1791 said:

This also reminds me I should start planning to compose an orchestral piece, I hope I will do so between now and 2024.

That's pretty much everyone's expectation 😄! Just don't force yourself too much if you don't feel like this is the time though.

32 minutes ago, Ivan1791 said:

Also I agree with Gwen, Theodore deserves a place in the chamber music and solo piano spots, he's one of the best composers we have in the forum.

Maybe the reason why I don't include Theodore is that I haven't reviewed his pieces at all, and his inactivity on YC comes before my joining of YC! His pieces are of course great.

35 minutes ago, Ivan1791 said:

But still these 3 posts are so great to get to know pieces and composers I had personally not noticed.

That's the best thing we have on YC, as we get to know different styles and approaches of composing! Another gratitude to you for guiding me to YC haha 😁!

Henry

Wow, I'm so honored to be mentioned here! Thanks for making this list, so many talented composers!

10 hours ago, Ivan1791 said:

Hey, this was so unexpected! I imagine it took you quite some time to gather all the pieces and share these posts with us. The effort is very appreciated! 😄
This also reminds me I should start planning to compose an orchestral piece, I hope I will do so between now and 2024.
Also I agree with Gwen, Theodore deserves a place in the chamber music and solo piano spots, he's one of the best composers we have in the forum. But still these 3 posts are so great to get to know pieces and composers I had personally not noticed. Thank you!

 

Hello Ivan! I know I would love to hear an orchestral piece from you, if you feel you're ready for it! Henry is right though. Greatness can't be rushed. 😊

And yeah, this post introduced me as well to a lot of lovely new pieces.

@Gwendolyn Przyjazna @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu @Ivan1791 I just want to say, thank you all so much for your kindness, I really wasn't expecting this. Sorry I don't comment on here much these days, I ought to review some music here again. I'll probably have something original to post here soon as well. Ivan and Gwen, I'm really happy to see you two getting acquainted! It's wonderful for me to see friends of mine to become friends with one another.

I joined this forum about 2 years ago back when I had just started composing and was just learning the basics. I can certainly say for a fact that the feedbacks I got from so many kind, talented and passionate composers like yourself Henry, are what really kept me going each time I felt I was not good enough. It is for wonderful personalities like yourself that I could gather the courage to not only express myself but to improve each time I got a feedback. All I can say is that I am very happy and I am very very thankful to everyone in this forum for making this a kind, accepting and an enthusiastic community 🙂 

Dudeeee, I didn't expect this. I don't know what to say other than to thank you for the feedback, criticisms, and simply enjoying my piece! I feel so honored to be mentioned here amongst many other great pieces even though I don't comment much. This forum has been essential for me as a self-taught composer and it really motivates me to do better. I cannot express how glad I am to join this forum two years ago, such a wonderful community!

Again, thank you all so much!!!
 

On 9/16/2023 at 2:25 AM, Gwendolyn Przyjazna said:

Hello Ivan! I know I would love to hear an orchestral piece from you, if you feel you're ready for it! Henry is right though. Greatness can't be rushed. 😊

And yeah, this post introduced me as well to a lot of lovely new pieces.

 

I will compose something orchestral eventually, I promise haha. Although I must admit lately I have been wanting to compose a short classical symphony 1st movement. But no idea if I will realize it into a score.

On 9/16/2023 at 7:47 AM, Theodore Servin said:

@Gwendolyn Przyjazna @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu @Ivan1791 I just want to say, thank you all so much for your kindness, I really wasn't expecting this. Sorry I don't comment on here much these days, I ought to review some music here again. I'll probably have something original to post here soon as well. Ivan and Gwen, I'm really happy to see you two getting acquainted! It's wonderful for me to see friends of mine to become friends with one another.

 

Looking forward to your new compositions, it's okay to be inactive for a while, I'm going back to participating more again around here. 
And yes! We met last month and have been talking quite lot, we share a bunch of interests. It's a pity usually the coolest people are the furthest away from me. 😬

Look at you, Henry. YC's greatest and most prolific reviewer, AND one of the most extraordinary and knowledgeable composers on our site. This place would be a ghost town without you, and your kindness and hard work helping us brainstorm and build this community has been instrumental. You're the new lifeblood of YC, and you've helped me stick around when I've felt like I've been surrounded by a sea of people only here to promote themselves. Im very happy you stumbled into this dusty corner of the internet, as I never knew a friendship could have been made on an old school forum website with someone half a world away.

💋

Hey Vince,

11 hours ago, Thatguy v2.0 said:

Look at you, Henry. YC's greatest and most prolific reviewer, AND one of the most extraordinary and knowledgeable composers on our site. This place would be a ghost town without you, and your kindness and hard work helping us brainstorm and build this community has been instrumental. You're the new lifeblood of YC, and you've helped me stick around when I've felt like I've been surrounded by a sea of people only here to promote themselves. Im very happy you stumbled into this dusty corner of the internet, as I never knew a friendship could have been made on an old school forum website with someone half a world away.

💋

This time my face blushes red as an apple which I have just finished haha.

I really hope I can keep reviewing and actively engaging in the forum, even though not as frequent as in my first year when I want to review every pieces here. That's possible, but it will take you much energy, and now when I feel like I don't have that energy I will just stop reviewing. I still have orchestral music to conquer so I don't thing I'm in anyway extraordinary, but thanks for your compliment. Each and every day the sun rises if it doesn't explode after billion years, and I'm sure many talented composers will still join YC without me, and I feel really lucky to find this site (I learn the meaning of "stumble on" now haha) and become a reviewer in mere 3 months(!). The best thing is you can find knowledgeable composers to interact with when you can hardly find one in your real life. And me too, I feel surprised and happy to know many people including you half a world away!

💋

Hello,

Thank you for quoting me! I am very honored!

What a great idea to make this list.

I'd heard many of these; but had also missed a bunch. Looking forward to working my way through them all!

P.S. I'm a fan of Theodore's works too. He's very gifted.

10 hours ago, Alex Weidmann said:

What a great idea to make this list.

I'd heard many of these; but had also missed a bunch. Looking forward to working my way through them all!

P.S. I'm a fan of Theodore's works too. He's very gifted.

Thx Alex! I have thought of doing this monthly or quarterly, but maybe I will be too attention seeking by doing this so I am just thinking.

Henry

I just saw this now, thanks for the inclusion and will be sure to check out these pieces.  I'm always looking for music I like from living composers.

On 11/6/2023 at 11:12 PM, gaspard said:

I just saw this now, thanks for the inclusion and will be sure to check out these pieces.  I'm always looking for music I like from living composers.

Yeah I love how unique you are to write for clavichord!