Dark Paradise

I think this can be rather tense. Very serious. I like that dark tone.

The rather diatonic harmonic language however was for me the weakest part. You seem in the mid section sort of missing a low E on vib. The alternating I6 - iio isn't resolved in a diatonic/tonal way like the rest of your language suggests...

This is an interesting and original conception of this setting. Most Dies Irae are violent and dramatic: instead you've imagined it as a lament. Whilst this is effective to an extent, I think the initial effect of the meditative character of the music is undermined by the fact we aren't offered much dramatic tension to contrast it with as the music progresses. I agree with Jaap that this is partly because of the mostly diatonic nature, but also I found it quite four-square - chords move on the barline, harmonic periods fit into multiples of bars. You could maintain the overall restrained character but add enough dramatic interest and development by moving away from this at times. 66-74 does this a little but it's not enough in the context of the rest of the music.

The piece does a good job of being atmospheric music, but it does not entirely convince me that in this execution it is appropriate for the text,

The 'right' of righteous and 'sin' are not good syllables to have to soprano sing a high B flat on. They position the vocal chords in precisely the opposite way to what the singer needs to do to produce this pitch at this volume.

jrcramer- The reason it's "missing" a low E is because a normal set of vibes dosent actually have a low E on it, originally I was annoyed by the constant use of the I6 because I wanted the lowest range of the vibes to be used now I actually really like the tone of the I6 and the slight feeling of unresolved.

siwi- I wanted the chord structure of this to be rather simple and steady throughout so that it would create almost a "familiar" sound for the listening. However I do not want it to be unsupportave of my theme, If you had some ideas or more specific thoughts I would greatly appreciate hearing them. I will have to discuss the vocal issue with my friend who I will be doing the piece with to make sure that is not an issue with those pitches and texts.

Thanks for the great reviews!

A long but very athmospherical piece..I think it's rather hard for the soprano to sing, not just for the range but also for the intensity of the music and the long musical "phrases".
as the other reviewers said, the setting of the dramatic dies irea into a introspective chant/lament is rather strange at first but it works...it has a hypnotic effect.

well done.

keep on composing.

It launches me into a dark euphoric dimension thus not just the musical structure but the smooth & rich dynamics of the timbre sonorities.......

It launches me into a dark euphoric dimension thus not just the musical structure but the smooth & rich dynamics of the timbre sonorities.......

Would you mind If I used this as a testament for the piece?

It creates a very serene and calm atmosphere or mood. I liked it a lot. Congratulations.