Symphonic Suite

This is the first completed movement of a symphonic suite I plan to write. Here is a link to a piano reduction of the score: http://ragtimeguy.webs.com/SymphonicSketchPiano.pdf It's my first orchestral piece, and I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions!

Symphonic Suite

Ok first general impressions from the score -

Please mark divisi if you want some of the instrumental group to share chords and contrapuntal figures. For example when you have quarter = 72 you have a triple stop (CDF) in the cellos that is impossible to play as there are insufficient strings to play them. The d or the c will be played on the D string while the F will be played on the A string. So you have only a double stop to choose. But if you mark divisi (which will dispense with having two staves for cello - that is a bit unusual - where did you see this? Mahler?)or give one note to the second cello part (???) then it will be playable.Also the violin parts about the same place MUST be marked divisi or else you will have the poor section doing these as double stops and sounding like 8+ violins playing one of Bach's solo violin sonatas - not good here.

Also the opening - you have so many strings in very low registers while the solo violins play a melody that is not in their strong register (the D string is Ok but not the strongest for carrying force). I think an octave higher would be better. Also the clarinet can be your friend - it does a wonderful job doubling unobtrusively string parts - giving their lines greater weight and resonance.

Also your balance with the oboe needs to be checked. Having horns and trombones against the poor oboe (although the melody does stay in a very strong pungent range so it may be heard at times) as well as the string is just too much - listen to Prokofiev's 3rd movement from his Classical Symphony to get an idea of a nice balance of orchestral forces to highlight the oboe part. A slight thinning of the texture and EXPRESSIONS marks would be great. This is a case where you cannot trust the computer playback.

Strong points you have some nice voice leading going on a few harmonic colors I like just looking at the score.

That's it for now ...

Wow, this is excellent work. You have a good grasp of orchestration and the music is so beautiful, especially as the strings climb from 34 on. The score needs some cleaning up, and I can certainly give suggestions if you need them, but the music itself is mostly wonderful. See composerorganist's post for some orchestration tips (especially regarding the oboe). My only other thought upon a quick overview is that the chromatic motion from Eb directly to E natural and F to F# in measure 70 seems out of place, but perhaps this will be justified by the music of a coming movement?

composerorganist: Many thanks for your advice on orchestration! I am entirely new to that art, and I'll take all of your suggestions. I had wanted a very densely-scored string part in some sections, and since I couldn't figure out any other way, I split the Cello part into two staves. I also hadn't thought to write in the divisi markings yet (which I intend to do, as I don't really want anything to be played as double-stops.) As to the first statement of the melody, I think I will place some of the harmony in the lower woodwinds, and move the melody to the violas and 2nd violins. would this work? In places where the oboe takes the melody, I was conflicted: I wanted the lovely lyrical oboe sound, as well as the powerful support of the string/brass combination. Perhaps an alteration of the dynamic markings will help this (have the strings/brass playing two levels quieter than the oboe.) Many thanks again for your advice - and you should be able to hear it now, as the audio file managed to upload.

Black Orpheus: Thanks for your kind remarks! I agree the score is very messy - I sketched it out in my notebook early one morning, then rather hastily entered it into Sibelius for this. I'll post a link to the condensed piano score in the description; it is less detailed, but much easier on the eyes. Also, about the notes in bar 70, I agree. I wrote this piece on paper, away from any instruments, and I heard an Eb chord and C7 chord in my mind, which was supposed to be a dramatic ending. It turned out a little akwardly, but I kept it. Thanks again for your critique!

Nice piece, I especially liked the interesting harmonic twists, gave a lot of interest to what could have been an uninteresting theme! Just one thing about the orchestration, as a trombonist I tend to notice that many pieces on this site have the trombones in quite a low register, and this piece is no exception. For a really nice sound the top part should probably be centered around the D above the stave (break this rule! It's just a guide...). Also, trombone harmonies tend to work best in open position, that is with large gaps between the notes. But ignore this as much as you like, guidelines are often broken for the best effect!

Good job!

hard to say Ragtime about the opening melody - one thought to consider is the F is doubled quite heavily by the contrabass and cellos so your alternate may change the orchestral colors quite a bit.

Also Maks point about widening the spacing of trombones and horns may assist in having the oboe be heard - or you could have the oboes split in octaves with more open spacing in the harmonies.

Tokke and some more experienced people could offer better insight.

I thoroughly enjoyed this work. Fantastic melody, harmony and orchestration. You really nailed the wistful nostalgic feeling and your theme is just so good I'm feeling really jealous! Big thumbs up!

i like it, especially the opening.