A Zarzuela... - Tad Wind Symphony, Tokyo

I just had a work premiered by the Tad Wind Symphony in Tokyo, Japan and am curious what your thoughts might be regarding the orchestration. This is my first work for large ensemble, and I would appreciate any suggestions that might aid my orchestrational technique for next time around. First impressions are perfectly fine.

I am hesitant to post the entire work, as the ensemble is releasing a recording in October, but here are a few excerpts of the video I took in Tokyo.

Thanks so much,

- Jason Thorpe Buchanan

Excerpt No. 1 (1:59 of 8:38)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoAzCrotm3s&hl=en&ap=%2526fmt%3D18

Excerpt No. 2 (0:41 of 8:38)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMMm-2pML4&hl=en&ap=%2526fmt%3D18

A Zarzuela & Other Lost Works for Wind Ensemble by Jason Thorpe Buchanan was written between June and October 2007. A first attempt at writing for large instrumental ensemble, with the encouragement of Dr. Edward Harris of the San Jos

Jason

I have been a fan of your work for a long time, but this was not my favorite. The orchestration seemed constantly too thick, and it was hard to tell what was going on. Of course this was just a first impression and could have been the ensemble or the recording or whatever, but it was hard to pick out any individual voices in the orchestra and I think it loses something that was great in your other works for smaller ensembles.

But anyways congrats on getting an orchestra like this to play your work.

Regarding the previous post, I agree that the orchestration is a little too dense in these sections, and that there is probably too much independence of voices. I think in future works, I will consider limiting the number of voices that are sounding simultaneously. However, these two video clips are only short excerpts of the busier/more intense moments, the rest of the work contrasts these with a much lighter character and clearer texture. Thank you for your input!

Perhaps I will post a short segment of the ending so that you can hear some contrast.

- Jason

Hello :)

I'm mainly a wind band player myself, given my primary instrument.

As for orchestration, it seems to be really middle heavy. For the excerpt that covered about two minutes, it seemed as if your middle textures were almost too prevalent... despite having high points and low points in the music, the middle instruments didn't fluctuate as much as they should have, I think. After all, the middle instruments give a full body to the sound and through overuse, I feel that their effect is reduced. So I'd say try cutting the horns out during points in the music with lower energy. With the density of textures that you already have, I think that their suspension effect is not as necessary.

Your brass writing is very good, though. The chords are very well orchestrated within that section and I'm glad you took advantage of the trumpet's capability to produce long singing lines. The woodwinds, however, I think you could have orchestrated better. From what I was able to hear through these horrible speakers, it seemed like the woodwinds were mainly playing within their middle ranges and there wasn't as much utilization of the characteristic timbres that every range produces. Especially in the context of this piece, a high, bright clarinet sound could work extremely well when juxtaposed against the rich, middle trumpet line. The one thing I really didn't like about the excerpt, I'd have to say, was when snare drum doubled with clarinet on that rhythmic line. That was... a tad bit unnecessary in my opinion. Either one alone would do just fine.

I love the textures and harmonies, though, and I would appreciate a full copy of the piece.

Hope I was helpful :)

Jason -

Glad you were able to ignore that comment. Sorry for that bit of childishness.

Ok, the opening does get a bit muddy. I am a novice at orchestration but I agree with Mael a high clarinet line would help as well as opening up some of the harmonies' spacing. You may also want to reduce the percussion at the beginning --- OR introduce it solo and then bring in gradually the lush accompaniment and solo trumpet. I actually like the snare drum - it is all the other stuff you added with I think blunts the effect with just too much sound.

I would love to hear more - you have nice lush musical ideas. And congrats on the premiere! I can imagine you were on Cloud 9 to have a premiere abroad.

If you want comments on the orchestration, it would be much easier if you posted a score. Please do.

Thank you everyone for your comments, here is an encrypted PDF available for download.

Document Password: youngcomposers

I really appreciate any additional suggestions or comments,

- Jason Thorpe Buchanan

http://melosmusic.com/img/scores/encrypted/zarzuela-jasonthorpebuchanan.pdf

"I wont pay for that" :D:D:D

You can delete our comments but it was incredible funny.

Well I am glad you think so, but I didn't delete it, the moderator did.