MJFOBOE

This is a work in the post-romantic tradition ... yes, I hear the excerpts from other works. It reminds of the lush romantic scores of Erik Korngold. However, I have a question, what motivated you to compose this work in this style? Mark

Hi all .... This is one one of my earliest endeavors in composing. It has gone through many tweaks over the years ... and more recently with my mentor. It is a Brass Quartet - a procession ... ancient warriors marching down the main thorough fare ... up front the able bodied .... followed by the wounded .... and finally, a show of strength/victory. It's not a complicated work at all .... yet it did open the door for further composing. Mark

Alex - overall both are very good orchestrations of the piano work. After listening to the piano work, I found, I missed the resonance of the lower notes vibrating (pedal). I'm not sure how to reproduce this quality in the lower winds and/or lower strings etc. Mark

I enjoyed the opening theme, harmonies and mood you created in the work. Personally, I would have enjoyed a bit more variation/contrast (in context) on the presenting theme. I think it would have added a bit more tension/dimension to the work. Mark

Peter, Thanks for the lovely comments. Would you please expound of your use of "artificial" in the context of my work and how it relates to Stravinsky. Mark

Peter, Thanks for the review. My compositions can be a bit dense ... I have been actively working to address this ... Ironically, the ending of this work was edited/re-orchestrated to lessen the density and bring out the more prominent thematic material; however, it did leave the ending with less of a punch. I have another version with more density and more satisfying ending. So I will once again I will review the work to create a better build up punch at its conclusion ... balancing both aspects of the work. Also, thanks for the kind words about my style! I don't know if the way I compose/orchestrate influences my style. For me the score sheet - is a way to build the architecture of the work - in a sense I am a very visual composer. Mark

I really enjoyed your percussion writing .... Mark

Hi all .... Here's composition that I began a few years back; however, I really never finished to my satisfaction. So he's my latest version .... all comments/criticisms/suggestions as well pleasantries are welcome. Mark

Are you a percussionist? Great percussion effects! A very interesting work ... although the motifs are recurrent - I didn't find it repetitive at all. The work's driving nature swept me along. You mentioned program notes ... I didn't see any on the link. I feel a narrative of the struggle in this "revolt" should accompany the composition ... as it is a programmatic work. Did you imagine different sections reflecting different actions? Mark

Hi Alex and Peter, I did rework sections with trills and the violin figures. I also discussed the chnages with my mentor. Of course removal of the trills creates some clarity; it also changes the overall feel of the work. So after experimentation - I decided to keep the trills. I believe there inclusion creates a certain atmosphere/tension in the work. Mark

Hi all, Here's a work that laid unfinished for 17 years. Came across it again on the computer and decided to finish the work. It's a set of vignettes (moods) through out a day: Morning Rush 7 AM, Afternoon Dreams 3 PM, Dinner Alone 5 PM, 7 PM, Falling Asleep 11 PM ..... and ? Falling asleep are variations of a lullaby I composed for my daughter 47 years ago. Hope you enjoy the work. Mark

I think this insight offers an opportunity for a discussion on how academically trained composers approach/think about composing; and how others who compose with less of an academic training/background approach their projects. Mark

Thanks you for your detailed analysis. I definitely will review/assess the triplet figure in the strings. And I am so very pleased you found the work appealing!

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my work. I will review/reflect the percussion line. Mark

Alex, Thanks for listening ... and more so .... thank you for referring me to Hindemith's "Mathis De Maler". What a beautiful work! I will listen to it a few times more ... so much to appreciate in its orchestration and thematic development. Mark