legato

Big fan of this. I would imagine writing for tuba ensemble has to be quite difficult, but you've done a really nice job with this piece (as did the tuba players!) If there's one criticism I have, or maybe just a suggestion, it's that considering the power and emotion in the lowest range of the tuba, you might want to save it. Most of the piece utilizes that ultra-low register, which is fine, but one thing I really like is when composers save a great color like that for big moments--Adams does this really well with the low tuba in Short Ride in a Fast Machine. This would also add some more timbral variety to the piece, which is admittedly quite difficult when you're only working with an ensemble of two instruments if you include the euphonium. Just a suggestion!

I'm in love with the bass line at the beginning, and the E-C#7 progression near the end. I'm not totally sure about those grace notes, they sound a bit out of place in a place that is pretty 'regular' rhythmically. Overall, though, a great piece, love everything that's happening here.

Definitely agree with the Schumann comparisons. A lot of the techniques you use in here are really great--especially the syncopation you have going on, which gives it this dragging (in a good way) and melancholic feel. I do agree with the other comments here that it doesn't necessarily sound sad, I would say more like bittersweet or even nostalgic. This is a small nitpick, but I would suggest making the first measure a pickup measure instead of a full measure with rests, unless you find those rests important.

I feel that the vocals are a bit drowned out by the volume of the other instruments, but that could be a stylistic choice.

I think you could do a descrescendo at m. 10 and 76. I love your treatment of dissonance and I think you have some great rhythms!

Lovely piece! I like your melodies. I do feel that you could present more dynamic contrast--the relative loudness of the parts is pretty stagnant, and sometimes you don't mark what dynamic a part is supposed to be at. Otherwise, great work!

Igor Stravinsky wrote a short solo viola piece: I'm also personally a big fan of the Ligeti piece that was already posted--it's a big inspiration for the piece I'm writing currently.