The (finished) first movement of my requiem

Thank you for the nice comment, Frantz; much appreciated.

Well, I have finally heard your Requiem Mass, or atleast part of it. I think it is very well written and promising to be a well composed piece. However, before one ever sets to writing a Requiem Mass, they must first understand that it is a choral set first and an orchestral set second. Every mass I've heard has fit the same basic model, Chorus and Orchestra with 2-5 soloists. I can't really comment on your vocal writing because I didn't hear all that much in the piece. Try to keep the singers active throughout the hour and a half it will probably take to perform. They can do it, they're used to it!

Other than that, nice work, and I am eagerly awaiting succeeding movements (Kyrie and Dies Irae) sometime soon!

Sean C Stork

Nightengale Inc.

Thank you for the comments my table topping friend. I did already write the Kyrie and am working presently on the Dies Irae and hope to complete it soon.

I've already started to do that with my third movement which you could listen to in the writer's block forum or if you looked on your e-mail.

This is my first visit to this site and I have somewhat randomly stumbled on this thread first, kind of exploring it as I learn how to navigate through the site. I was impressed that it supports Finale files. Anyways, I thought I offer some thoughts regarding your work, Austin - focusing on the Kyrie.

First, you have some good basic and intuitive vocal writing skills. Clearly you are a singer. A classic problem that many instrumental composers display is a lack of understanding of how to properly place stressed syllables. On the other hand, I do have some criticisms and suggestions. Some may seem nitpicky but I can guarantee that a choir would pick up on these.

Leave room for your singers to breathe. Something as simple as using punctuation can do the trick. For instance, in the soprano line at the end of measure 8, put a period after the word eleison. I know this may seem obvious but consider that it is far from obvious where you want the sopranos to breathe from measure 13 through 28.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different voices singing different words at the same time. This works most effectively when you present them with contrasting rhythms, such as you did in measure 12. But what you have at measure 18 will not be as pleasing to listen to for a number of reasons: Note that you have the words Kyrie and Christe (and don

This is probably one of the most constructive and in depth reviews I've ever had, Leightwing. You clearly know a vast ammount of choral music knowledge and for that I am very appreciative as few others here actually do write for choir. I must note, however, that I am not a singer but I have studied quite a bit of Mozart's Requiem and various other choral works. I will go over each of your comments and will debate with myself as to whether or not (more likely I will) to use them.

It was really good and as far as harmony goes, you definitely overcame that obstacle! I actually started a requiem mass in january... i guess i got bored, so ill skip the movement i started on... I'm going to do a Confutatis Maledictus... Good luck to you and i can't wait to hear the rest of your requiem!

-Jon

This is pretty fantastic. I was listening to the very first section and thinking "oh no, another over the top requiem..." But man, I'm glad I kept listening. This is a pretty tremendous piece. Yours is a very hopeful requiem. Mine are always dark...maybe that's because I'm a big diminished chord fan...

Thanks Toccata and Jolly, I appreciate your comments and hope you will comment on my coming movements.

I can seriously see this being played as backround organ music in my church. Amazing job. it's really good with the harmonics and everything. i really enjoyed it. it wasn't boring or anything.

when i downloaded the .MUS file it came up with blue stripes all over it...

is my screen just messed up or...

whatever i listened to the MIDI and it sounds really good

`brad`

Listened to it and watched it scroll by. Very nice.