Piano and Oboe duet for a story

Hello! Here is a short track I recorded for a chapter of my story about three years ago; I thought I’d share it here once I’ve made the score but that hasn’t happened yet, so it might not happen soon, hehe. 

Track on YouTube.

Any comments are appreciated! Unfortunately, I do not know anyone who plays the oboe, nor can I play it myself, so I used the built-in sound in my piano. Let me know if the oboe sounds playable!

Edits:
 

1. I forgot to add that I am mostly happy with this because my priority is how it sounds with the scene it was composed for. However, I think I will change the oboe part from 1:33 to 1:53, because it doesn't highlight the piano and takes away from it instead.

2. If anyone is curious, here is a piano only version.

The piece sounds very nice. The two instruments are well interwoven.
But I have the impression that the piano works with the bass on one side, and the right hand in a high batatne register, close to the oboe. That (by ear) makes me think that the middle register could be more exploited, but without score I don't know exactly.

Hello there!

 I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your piece. I can tell you spent you a lot work into it. Bravo! 

My review will be broken down into the following sections: Musical form, instrumentation/orcstration, harmony, and counterpoint. 

I. Form: 

Overall, the form of piece is well established. As a listener, I can hear when the music is different sections naturally. Thus, I have no issue here.  However...

I feel that piano introduction can be shorter. Maybe, only two measures, and then have start A section.   I hear a musical phrase repeated several times repeated in the A section.  For mine money, at least. revisit this musical phrase and shape into something better! If it happens, label them! And think what is your b.i and etc.  This will allow your piece to grow through each draft. 

The B section is done well.  The melodic character is different in this section. I truly love it.  The longer phrases established this too.  🙂

II: 

It is easier to talk about instrumentation and orchestration when it is a duet. *wink*.   The first thing I noticed is that Oboe and piano double the theme in A section but not in the B section.  If the Piano is to be accompaniment part, then my recommendation is to write the oboe as if it a solo line then write piano part.  There are ton examples in repertoire of oboe and piano. 

I love the accompaintment in B section is makes the piano it is own character.  You just need to do this in A section! 

III and IV: 

I need to see a score for this 

Cant't wait to hear your next draft 

On 11/20/2024 at 6:07 PM, Luis Hernández said:

The piece sounds very nice. The two instruments are well interwoven.
But I have the impression that the piano works with the bass on one side, and the right hand in a high batatne register, close to the oboe. That (by ear) makes me think that the middle register could be more exploited, but without score I don't know exactly.

 

Thank you very much for the feedback! Hopefully I'll be able to work on the score soon, it shouldn't take too long. When I write for a scene, there are some thematic elements that make me restrict the music, but what you say about the middle register is interesting!

On 11/21/2024 at 12:03 PM, Kvothe said:

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your piece. I can tell you spent you a lot work into it. Bravo! 

Thank you very much!

On 11/21/2024 at 12:03 PM, Kvothe said:

I feel that piano introduction can be shorter. Maybe, only two measures, and then have start A section.   I hear a musical phrase repeated several times repeated in the A section.  For mine money, at least. revisit this musical phrase and shape into something better! If it happens, label them! And think what is your b.i and etc.  This will allow your piece to grow through each draft. 

I did that because while reading, the scene I wrote it for was "that long", but I agree that some modifications can be done!

On 11/21/2024 at 12:03 PM, Kvothe said:

The B section is done well.  The melodic character is different in this section. I truly love it.  The longer phrases established this too. 

Thank you!!

On 11/21/2024 at 12:03 PM, Kvothe said:

If the Piano is to be accompaniment part, then my recommendation is to write the oboe as if it a solo line then write piano part. 

Ah this is good advice, I think it'll help really help me with the revision I have in mind.

On 11/21/2024 at 12:03 PM, Kvothe said:

I love the accompaintment in B section is makes the piano it is own character.  You just need to do this in A section! 

Oh I didn't think of it that way, hehe, makes sense!

This is beautiful. It took me to a place that I forgot I had inside me, so thank you for that. 

On 11/20/2024 at 5:08 AM, piajo said:

However, I think I will change the oboe part from 1:33 to 1:53, because it doesn't highlight the piano and takes away from it instead.

just an idea, but what if you cut out some of the oboe here? Maybe have it echo what the piano is doing since you want the piano to be more in the foreground? Call and answer type thing is what came to mind. 

Regardless, it's lovely 🙂 Thanks for sharing

7 hours ago, Thatguy v2.0 said:

This is beautiful. It took me to a place that I forgot I had inside me, so thank you for that. 

Ahh, I'm glad this did that for you.

7 hours ago, Thatguy v2.0 said:

just an idea, but what if you cut out some of the oboe here? Maybe have it echo what the piano is doing since you want the piano to be more in the foreground? Call and answer type thing is what came to mind. 

That's a neat idea, I'll try it out! Thank you so much for listening!

Hi @piajo,

Yuck I love this! The piano introduction sounds so nice! I love the pentatonics there. It sounds very soothing. It sounds simple, but to attain this level of simplicity with wonderful power is difficult! Maybe for me I would choose flute instead of oboe since it sounds more airy and matches more with this wonderful music. But anyways, I enjoy it! Thx for sharing!

Henry

On 12/11/2024 at 8:42 AM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

It sounds simple, but to attain this level of simplicity with wonderful power is difficult!

The friend who got me into classical music predicted that I would write music that is simple but good, so perhaps I'm trying to live up to her expectations, haha!

On 12/11/2024 at 8:42 AM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Maybe for me I would choose flute instead of oboe since it sounds more airy and matches more with this wonderful music.

I did consider that, and the airy tone is actually why I didn't choose the flute! It would give a happier/lighter tone that I didn't want.

Thank you so much for your comments, it means a lot to me, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Also, I apologise for not responding sooner - I usually like to do so right away, but a personal crisis came up.