Flute Concerto no. 1

Hi Young Composers!

This is the beginning of a flute concerto in C Major. It is inspired by the flute concertos by Mozart. I have most of the flute part composed, but not the orchestration, so I have only posted the first minute or so.

I am still very new to orchestrating, so I need all the help that I can get! I am sort of using this piece as an exercise in orchestration, form, etc. I will post more when I get it finished.

Any kind of critique that I can get would be fantabulous! Thanks!

Wav file here----> http://www.box.net/shared/k8608tnmud

fluteconcerto1clip.pdf

I can't really comment on form seeing as you haven't supplied any ideas as to what you're going to do with it (although Concertos are normally three part, yes?).

I'd like to hear a .MID file though. I'm not particularly good at envisioning how an entire orchestra sounds.

However, I will say that at the beginning, the string section seems like it takes over as the 'primary' section, instead of the flute lines. I can't say without being able to hear it though.

But I'd love to hear it, so I can actually give you a proper critique.

~Christian

Hi Christian, thanks for your comment!

You're right, I haven't really given you much to work with, but I should have more posted soon. Yes, a concerto is usually three parts and this one will be the same.

Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to edit a MIDI file to make it only this clip. I did post a .wav file in the thread though. Are you able to listen to that?

Thanks for listening!

yes, the ancient concerto... Nowadays? Okay, my flute concerto is in two movements, and it's in a post- or neo-romantic style (I'll upload it later). The Madar

Wow I totally missed the .WAV file. That one's my bad.

Ok, upon listening, some things were confirmed. Firstly, the flute is lost in the beginning underneath the violins. Was that your intention? They (the violins) carry the melody for about the first half of the score you've posted...I like how you introduced the flutes, but in my opinion, it should have come slightly sooner.

Also, your quarter rests really broke up the music. Sparsely used and it creates a nice effect of tension and release, but currently I think you break it up too much, which loses the tension effect and kind of repeatedly slaps the listener.

Finally, some of the rhythms sounded...odd. Your use of triplets made some sections sound rushed - I think they were a bit unnecessary. Ditto the sixteenth note run in m29. I think it's because they (the triplets and sixteenth notes) don't actually contribute to the piece in any meaningful way - they kind of just appear once and disappear...

Anyhow, I think you have a pretty solid beginning. Do continue, I'm interested in hearing more. I think that some more development and variation could be employed to really augment the piece.

Cheers,

~Christian

Hey Christian, thanks for listening and commenting. I appreciate it!

Yes, my intention was to have an orchestral introduction of the theme and then have the solo flute come in again with the theme in m28.

I think you're probably right about the quarter rests at the end of bars, so I will see what I can do about those.

As for the rhythms, I had added them for interest's sake, but perhaps they are a bit random. When the solo flute comes in, I had wanted it to play the theme embellished a bit, but perhaps the little embellishments I have are not appropriate.

Thanks again for listening and commenting.

I think you may be more successful if you score this piece without flutes, except for the solo. A thinner orchestration if possible is usually more clean-sounding, and it might be problematic for you to balance the two flutes with the soloist.

Also, the solo staff should go right above the strings.

Thanks for the comments oboeducky! I shall move the position of the soloist stave.

About removing the normal flutes, is that commonly done? Thanks.

Thanks for the comments oboeducky! I shall move the position of the soloist stave.

About removing the normal flutes, is that commonly done? Thanks.

Yes, it is commonly done.

No Flutes besides the soloist up front next to the conductor.

Thanks for the comments oboeducky! I shall move the position of the soloist stave.

About removing the normal flutes, is that commonly done? Thanks.

Yes, it is commonly done.

No Flutes besides the soloist up front next to the conductor.

:P I know that it is just the soloist up by the conductor, I said that I will move the soloist stave in the score.

:P I know that it is just the soloist up by the conductor, I said that I will move the soloist stave in the score.

I know.

I meant......No other flute parts in the score is common in a Flute Concerto.

Just the soloist.

Okay, thanks for clarifying! :D

No problem :thumbsup: