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#1
23-12-2006, 02:06 AM
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| Symphony No. 1 in Eb Major Here's the first 7:30 of my first symphony. Let me know what you think. Hopefully it'll get better from your responses. I know MIDI files aren't as great as they could be, but hopefully this is accurate for those who can't open Finale files. I use PrintMuisc '06, by the way. Give me every bit of feedback you can, please. ================================== FILES UPDATED Last edited by Stenir : 15-03-2007 at 11:29 PM.  |
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#2
23-12-2006, 03:35 AM
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| Hello Stenir First off I have to say this is a great key to write a Symphony in  Now on the piece itself. Your use of strings is well done IMO Perfect for the Adagio movement. The main theme IMO is very well written, I guess that's my love for slow music coming out. Not much more to say, I only have one negative comment. At times the music seemed inconsistent all around, the pauses you included add some color to the piece, but there were times were they seemed out of place, but only a few times was this the case. Please bear in mind that this is only my opninion 'Anyway, I love this piece and wish you much success in your composing career :-) Keep Composing! Will |
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#3
23-12-2006, 10:07 AM
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| Nice theme once it arrives. Be careful using extreme registers in the softer section. Low noes on an oboe can be difficult to play quietly. As are high ones on a clarinet. I would like to have seen some different orchestration of the main theme when it comes in for the second hearing or maybe a key change. Looking forward to hearing the rest! |
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#4
23-12-2006, 10:25 AM
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| Very nice overall, very good theme. However, it may be a little too long, but with a bit of a change in orchestration or key such as Boneman suggested it would be better. BTW, can woodwind play two notes simultaneously? How can they do that? Keep up the good work! |
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#5
23-12-2006, 10:26 AM
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| Two players Ron! |
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#6
23-12-2006, 10:56 AM
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| Oh, that makes sense.  You learn something new every day! |
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#7
23-12-2006, 04:23 PM
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| Well balanced, great theme - would sound glorious in a live performance. Agree with Boneman about oboe parts - the low C-B-Bb are difficult to attack quietly and sound fairly raucous. Is it worth thinking about allocating the opening oboe part to clarinet which would blend well with horns and lower strings? (A lot better than a low oboe, imho). The piece is capable of geat expression but needs lots more dynamic change, like more hairpins, to avoid that organ-stop effect; and to keep it moving. The phrasing is well done, thoughtful. The scoring looks fine though I have some reservations about the effect of the double-bass independence. eg bar 30, in respect of how you've laid out the harmony, given the progression as it is. The only bit I didn't like was the brass/fanfare passage at 49. It seemed far too slow. Maybe in live performance something could be made of it. It has a solemn, processional feel, altogether nice, though the ending surprised me! Reith Last edited by reith : 23-12-2006 at 04:27 PM. |
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#8
23-12-2006, 05:58 PM
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| If you meant the Ab in bar 31 on the double-bass, reith, that was a typo. It should have been a Bb. I've done a bit of changing, working on staying in Eb, but changing the opening. I want the opening to have an Oboe, but when it gets restated later on, it's now in the Trombones. And that passage has been dropped a fifth, so it ends on Cb instead of Gb. I sped up the brass fanfare. It hasn't changed note-wise, but the tempo is a bit faster, now at 108 insead of the original 72. The ending surprised you? Neat trick, I'm not done yet lol. It's obviously changed to C major, tonally. I have it about to do some variations in C major for a few moments, before returning to Eb major tonally and ending the piece the way it started. I have ideas about where I want hairpins, but I generally just get the the more important hairpins down, then I'll go back and see what the music is telling me to do. What I may do for the Oboe intro, is to cut the Horns out the first time. It might be hard for the Oboe to be heard with them blaring. That, and I'll probably have the Clarinets double with the Oboe. And, Will, if you would be able to give me a better idea of what you mean by in places it's inconsistent, that would help. I'll have more control with it actually gets performed (whenever that will be, I have no clue). In other information, here's my plan for the four movements: 1) Adagio - obviously 2) Allegro - an attempt at Sonata Form, perhaps? 3) Lento - majestic, but solemn 4) Presto - probably in Rondo Form, like usual |
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#9
23-12-2006, 06:20 PM
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| Quick update: I posted the new versions with some of the changes. Let me know what you think now. The files are still in the first post. And just remember, I'm not done yet. But seriously, I haven't done any serious study on symphonies of the classical period. How am I doing from a theory standpoint? |
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#10
23-12-2006, 09:44 PM
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| Very nice indeed. The only thing I can add is to remind you about what Boneman said. It is very hard for oboists to play soft on low notes. I actually learned this last week when I played one of my compositions with an oboist and he couldn't play a soft Bb to save his life. Once again, good job! |
