The Nightfly

Hi Nikolas,

I enjoyed this work, It was an interesting experience, to hear all those textures and atmospheres that you created with the orchestra and the occasional climaxes was nice First part was very atmospheric, and then the second part came out of nowhere with that haunting melody on flute and clarinet. The third part was just what you needed. A difference in pace and character. however the harmonic language stays the same, you introduce some different ideas that makes it interesting.

On part three, Cluster harmonies at horns might sound bad in reality. I am not much of an experienced orchestrator but I wouldn't do that, because I think it might not bring the effect that you are after. Oh now I lost where I was on the score ! The final drive of the piece was very energetic and powerful, I am sure the real orchestra will sound spectacular at this part.

I have one criticism for the piece. It seems like the piece is very angry and doesn't wants to calm down for one bit. It has this tension from beginning to the end that does not resolve. I know that you are not going to make any difference on the piece after this point but this is just my suggestion. The pacing of the piece does not allow a breathing point for the listener. The harmonies seems to be based on clusters and thats what makes all the tension. Perhaps you could have used some chords here and there so that it could bring a breathing point between all those tensions.

Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the piece. As I said before, the textures and the over atmosphere was very exciting. The orchestrations seemed nice, but since you used some graphical notation and irregular timing of notes (I saw some on piano) It is not possible to simulate that sound through computer. i believe it will sound amazing with a real orchestra.