Symphonic Overture

Here's a one movement symphonic overture, pseudo sonata form. I'll post the score when it becomes legible. 

I won't pretend, I haven't written for orchestra in a long time, and previous attempts were futile. Any of this is subject to change, so any recommendations from all ages are welcome. I wrote this off and on for months, and honestly haven't touched it in a while since the subject matter was pretty personal and heavy. But, I guess it's time to share the progress. 

I hope you enjoy

I don't really have any criticism. I just wanted to share my thoughts as I listened the second time, because to me, this piece simultaneously plays contrasting elements really well! I get a similar feeling quite often (which I refer to as a "sinusoidal mood with varying frequency"). Though I generally don't listen to symphonies much (which is why I can't offer useful feedback), I liked this quite a lot! 

I really like the introduction. Starts off a little ominous or uncertain, and then seemlessly transforms into something ethereal and happy (which to me reminds me of music that could accompany a character's first few of a destination in a fantasy story), and back again! The grace notes did feel a little odd to me, like a jazzy or humorous element, but that might be a repercussion of system-generated sound more than anything else.

Those contrasting elements continue in the next lighter section, and they still go together so well! The happier elements almost feel waltz-like, and the minor tones like a stumble or a hesitant step, if that makes sense. The Tutti(?) at 3:20 reminded me of a scene from HTTYD 2, again with that feeling of our character seeing a new and otherworldly destination for the first time. And then again at 7:04!

I thought around 7:50 it would fall into a despairing mood for a bit, but no, that optimistic voice is there again! I really like that because I'm particularly fond of pieces of art that aren't pessimistic (assuming my interpretation is somewhat right). That bit of percussion around 8:35 felt incomplete though, which I think could be developed more as it sound a bit like a metronome, though it also works to give a "pausing" or trailing off effect. 

9:20 onwards finally started to feel tumultuous, as if the emotions our character has bottled up are starting to leak out, and yet the optimistic voice comes again. In general, I really like the melody of the woodwinds at 10:42 and the strings at 11:36, and every repetition or variation of it is like a spark of joy or some form of comforting epiphany.

I think around 12:50 onwards feels incomplete, as if it's either missing elements or is like a placeholder (relative to the rest of the piece), but the shift in the mood until 14:00 is a nice change! The melody I like comes again at 14:42 with its uncertain partner, nice, hehe. The ending is strong and turns sweet (I love the piano and the harp(?)), though it feels incomplete, as if something is unsaid.

Overall, it's a lovely and interesting piece. Thanks for sharing!

Hey @Thatguy v2.0!

A lucid, absorbing piece of orchestral music!  The introduction of the melodic material is cleverly interwoven with counterpoint from multiple different solo instruments.  And there's also some blues elements in the use of the b3 in a mostly major context.  I love the effect at 2:40 and 6:26 where the trombones very slowly glissando up to the next chord.  It really makes the harmonic changes so apprehensive.  The piece is thematic and motivically driven.  Only after multiple listens can I now really appreciate all the thematic and motivic elements and how they're developed.  I like how the Piccolo brings back the main theme near the end at the 14 minute mark.  The flourishing and cycling through various keys before the end is also very effective at bringing the piece to a satisfactory conclusion.  Perhaps my favorite part is around 4:40.  I also really like the pizzicato part at 8:38.  Throughout the piece you overlap the entrances of various motifs in the different instruments.  And they're all nonetheless clearly related to each other and to the main theme of the piece.  It took a lot of work and dedication to write this 16+ minute orchestral piece and you should feel satisfied with your accomplishment!  Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Hi, the symphony has a definite "Americana" feel to it ... with a touch of Afro-american influences.  It reminds of Florence Price's Symphony No.1.   It's an interesting work by a African American Woman.  I enjoyed performing it a few years back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._1_(Price)

Really exciting and complex piece.

@piajo @PeterthePapercomPoser @MJFOBOE @MantisToboggan, thanks for listening, it really means a lot to share a thought or two!

On 11/29/2024 at 6:02 AM, piajo said:

I don't really have any criticism. I just wanted to share my thoughts as I listened the second time, because to me, this piece simultaneously plays contrasting elements really well! I get a similar feeling quite often (which I refer to as a "sinusoidal mood with varying frequency"). Though I generally don't listen to symphonies much (which is why I can't offer useful feedback), I liked this quite a lot! 

I really like the introduction. Starts off a little ominous or uncertain, and then seemlessly transforms into something ethereal and happy (which to me reminds me of music that could accompany a character's first few of a destination in a fantasy story), and back again! The grace notes did feel a little odd to me, like a jazzy or humorous element, but that might be a repercussion of system-generated sound more than anything else.

Those contrasting elements continue in the next lighter section, and they still go together so well! The happier elements almost feel waltz-like, and the minor tones like a stumble or a hesitant step, if that makes sense. The Tutti(?) at 3:20 reminded me of a scene from HTTYD 2, again with that feeling of our character seeing a new and otherworldly destination for the first time. And then again at 7:04!

I thought around 7:50 it would fall into a despairing mood for a bit, but no, that optimistic voice is there again! I really like that because I'm particularly fond of pieces of art that aren't pessimistic (assuming my interpretation is somewhat right). That bit of percussion around 8:35 felt incomplete though, which I think could be developed more as it sound a bit like a metronome, though it also works to give a "pausing" or trailing off effect. 

9:20 onwards finally started to feel tumultuous, as if the emotions our character has bottled up are starting to leak out, and yet the optimistic voice comes again. In general, I really like the melody of the woodwinds at 10:42 and the strings at 11:36, and every repetition or variation of it is like a spark of joy or some form of comforting epiphany.

I think around 12:50 onwards feels incomplete, as if it's either missing elements or is like a placeholder (relative to the rest of the piece), but the shift in the mood until 14:00 is a nice change! The melody I like comes again at 14:42 with its uncertain partner, nice, hehe. The ending is strong and turns sweet (I love the piano and the harp(?)), though it feels incomplete, as if something is unsaid.

Overall, it's a lovely and interesting piece. Thanks for sharing!

Your words mean a lot, thank you 🙂 

Suffering and death were what inspired this, and I don't know why this music full of optimism came out. Maybe it was my escape from it. Maybe it was a refusal to believe what was happening. Regardless, it's a part of all our lives, and although sad in the moment, it's as natural as breathing. 

There are some moments that felt incomplete to me. I could have tinkered with the percussion and harp all damn day, but in the end, I'm happy with how it turned out. Maybe I'll revise it at some point, and comments like yours will help when the time comes. But for now, I like how you commented as if reading a story, marking the highs and lows as you typed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

On 11/29/2024 at 10:40 PM, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

A lucid, absorbing piece of orchestral music!  The introduction of the melodic material is cleverly interwoven with counterpoint from multiple different solo instruments.  And there's also some blues elements in the use of the b3 in a mostly major context.  I love the effect at 2:40 and 6:26 where the trombones very slowly glissando up to the next chord.  It really makes the harmonic changes so apprehensive.  The piece is thematic and motivically driven.  Only after multiple listens can I now really appreciate all the thematic and motivic elements and how they're developed.  I like how the Piccolo brings back the main theme near the end at the 14 minute mark.  The flourishing and cycling through various keys before the end is also very effective at bringing the piece to a satisfactory conclusion.  Perhaps my favorite part is around 4:40.  I also really like the pizzicato part at 8:38.  Throughout the piece you overlap the entrances of various motifs in the different instruments.  And they're all nonetheless clearly related to each other and to the main theme of the piece.  It took a lot of work and dedication to write this 16+ minute orchestral piece and you should feel satisfied with your accomplishment!  Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

This would have sat on my computer for years without you urging me to post. This was a lot of work that would have gone to waste if it weren't for you; you're a good man and good friend. Thanks Peter.

On 11/30/2024 at 3:44 PM, MJFOBOE said:

Hi, the symphony has a definite "Americana" feel to it ... with a touch of Afro-american influences.  It reminds of Florence Price's Symphony No.1.   It's an interesting work by a African American Woman.  I enjoyed performing it a few years back.

Thanks for referencing a composer I didn't know! I love the piece you recommended, and thanks for listening to my music, I can for sure hear similarities with what I wrote.  🙂 

On 12/1/2024 at 3:00 PM, MantisToboggan said:

Really exciting and complex piece.

My man, thanks brother

Dude, this is cool! I'm loving the Afro-American Jazz era-style chord voicings here. The use of Grace notes to accentuate the melody and countermelodies beneath it works well. Creative chord progressions, and powerful transition choices. 

I also heard you've got good skill with balancing and giving each section of the orchestra a "featured" moment within the work. Which is always appreciated by live orchestral groups, for sure. (I'd know! I used to play in one! Loved getting me a Trumpet solo that ended on a high D6 or D#6. Those notes, specifically, when played well by a trumpeter will just ring out and resonate well after the player cuts off. Love those moments, in my previous experiences. anyway, I got off track. ADHD brain.)  

Overall, I don't think you've done a bad job here at all man. Props to you for getting out of your comfort zone to try doing orchestra work again. You have a knack for it, like many others on this platform do! 🙂 You fit right in, brother.

On 12/5/2024 at 7:07 AM, UncleRed99 said:

Dude, this is cool! I'm loving the Afro-American Jazz era-style chord voicings here. The use of Grace notes to accentuate the melody and countermelodies beneath it works well. Creative chord progressions, and powerful transition choices. 

I also heard you've got good skill with balancing and giving each section of the orchestra a "featured" moment within the work. Which is always appreciated by live orchestral groups, for sure. (I'd know! I used to play in one! Loved getting me a Trumpet solo that ended on a high D6 or D#6. Those notes, specifically, when played well by a trumpeter will just ring out and resonate well after the player cuts off. Love those moments, in my previous experiences. anyway, I got off track. ADHD brain.)  

Overall, I don't think you've done a bad job here at all man. Props to you for getting out of your comfort zone to try doing orchestra work again. You have a knack for it, like many others on this platform do! 🙂 You fit right in, brother.

Yo! Thanks for listening, I'm glad you dig this. Although, you made the mistake of letting me know you play the trumpet. Prepare for future questions I'll have haha. 

Hey my buddy,

Sorry for being late. I have to my 100% concentration for your massive work before reviewing it haha. It's my third listening before daring to review anything.

The opening melody by woodwinds is already very captivating for me. It's in my favourite C# minor!!!!!!!!! I love all those pentatonics used! And then the development with blue notes followed by the strings is very nice too. Then at 1:30 I love your usage of brass. I love your orchestration in 1:40, sounds so magical there with the harp, and then you take a huge turn to the tritone G minor, and then modulate to E minor! Very effective there.

I love the more raw sound here, especially those annoying low bass strings. Sounds like Western films to me! And then in 2:52 nice texture with the woodwind playing the themes, harp accompaniment and the bass. 3:17 sounds so nice with the brass! I feel like in 3:40 the strings can join a bit earlier but the development is very nice, probably one of favourite section. I fxxingly love the theme here as it did make cry literally. Sounds like walking through an adventure with those pentatonics. The string melody sounds so marvellous here.

Then again the contrasting theme in G minor enters. Affter some depressive lingerings in 7:10 that grand E minor theme enters again. 7:50 sounds so mysterious. Even though I know it's from the opening theme, it sounds so different here!! It's so beautiful and I cried a 2nd time. Like @piajo's great saying:

On 11/29/2024 at 8:02 PM, piajo said:

it would fall into a despairing mood for a bit, but no, that optimistic voice is there again! I really like that because I'm particularly fond of pieces of art that aren't pessimistic (assuming my interpretation is somewhat right). That bit of percussion around 8:35 felt incomplete though, which I think could be developed more as it sound a bit like a metronome, though it also works to give a "pausing" or trailing off effect. 

That's the ultimate reason why I don't really like Tchaikovsky haha.

The 8:50 theme sounds fresh to me with a bit detached touch, then it starts gaining energy for the next blowup in 9:50. I love the tutti here and also the contrast! The woodwind theme is so nice here, and the B major optimistic theme sounds nice. Then the opening theme returns with variations which I love it as usual.

Then that surprising C major chord in 11:25 with the snap pizz LoL! I literally laugh out loud hahahahahaha! It sounds very very familiar but I don't know where the inspiration comes from . Like @piajoit does sound optimistic even though I kind of know the inspiration behind this piece.

I don't feel like from 12:50 onwards it feels incomplete. I just feel like the intensity lowers after the great adventure before, just like human being towards death. The 14:00 theme sounds nice in Db pentatonic. The materials sound fresh in a different key there. I absolutely love your ending starting from 15:25! I am shame faced enough to say that the woodwind accompaniment there sounds like the opening of my Sextet😝. The ending is so nice!! I feel like it is indeed a life walkthrough and our mind is loading is rewinding on what our life has done in a lapse of seconds.

On 11/30/2024 at 12:40 PM, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

It took a lot of work and dedication to write this 16+ minute orchestral piece and you should feel satisfied with your accomplishment!

The only thing I'm not satisfied with is that the piece is too short!!!

On 12/5/2024 at 11:39 AM, Thatguy v2.0 said:

Suffering and death were what inspired this, and I don't know why this music full of optimism came out. Maybe it was my escape from it. Maybe it was a refusal to believe what was happening. Regardless, it's a part of all our lives, and although sad in the moment, it's as natural as breathing. 

Well, Beethoven wrote his optimistic 2nd Symphony during one of his most painful period, while Tchaikovsky wrote his Pathetique when he was having one of his happiest period. I can say I feel the sadness in your music and your confrontation with it in the middle and the acceptance at the end.

I enjoy it thoroughly. Thx for sharing us such a wonderful piece and journey. Really hope you would compose more pieces like this in the future haha!!

Henry

@Henry Ng Tsz Kiu

Your words always mean a lot to me. I feel lucky that you stumbled upon this site and that you're always willing to share so much with so many. There are probably few members here that haven't heard some critique or advice from you, and you freely share without ever asking for anything in return. You first posted your giant clarinet piece here, and you had to wait months for anyone to say anything about your music until Daniel finally gave you perhaps the most in depth review anyone's ever written (I still remember him mentioning he needed a dinner break halfway through haha). And while you waited for even the smallest response, you gave your thoughts to damn near everyone. This place needed you, and even though it's traffic comes and goes, you were a fire when it was in a slower season. 

I noticed you've regained some vigor in your reviewing here lately, and I'm happy for that. I know your personal life was draining, and that caused a brief absence from me seeing your name scattered all throughout the forum. I'm very happy you're entering a new chapter with your career, and even more happy that your composing and performance goals have reignited. Your presence is cherished and admired here, even when we don't always show you how much you're appreciated. I'm very excited to hear your completed sextet, or new recordings of the piano music you work hard to perfect. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. 

18 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Then that surprising C major chord in 11:25 with the snap pizz LoL! I literally laugh out loud hahahahahaha! It sounds very very familiar but I don't know where the inspiration comes from .

Ah I stupidly forgot to give credit where credit is due! Here's the snap pizz in the score. 

Thanks, buddy 💋

On 12/10/2024 at 4:23 PM, Thatguy v2.0 said:

Prepare for future questions I'll have haha.

I'm cool wit that 😎