Fruna's Curse: The Prologue (1)

This is the Prologue to my opera-in-progress, Fruna's Curse (the first of a trilogy I hope to write). It's basically describing what's going to happen in the first scene. In it you have the spirit of song, Melodia, with her magic harp telling you that the tale starts with the Spirits of Elements playing and mocking the gods. Tell me what you all thinkFruna's Curse: The Prologue (1)

Fruna's Curse: The Prologue (1)

Hi. I just listened to your prologue and read your score. First of all, congratulations on what you have thus far, I did like the tune. However, I am not entirely sure of the constant doubling of the base line of the harp through the celesta. Although it sounded refreshing at the beginning, it got a bit too much near the end. Also noted that you only use the right hand of the celesta, not the left one. I would try to look for a bit of variation in this combination both as well as using both hands for the celesta as well as it being combined with the strings.

Taking about strings: your strings are poorely used in my opinion. there is nothing much happening there; Why not reproducing what is in the harp also in the strings?

Technically, there are few dynamic indications: few if any slurs, few if any cresendo markings (there are indeed forte, mf and p markings). I do not understand the pizz in 16 as the orchestra already plays pizz as of bar 10, even with the repetition. Regarding this repetition, I do understand why you use it, but I would write a variation, perhaps use a different key and different instrumentation, for the second verse.

About key indication at the beginning of the piece: It seems to me - that was the impression that I got listening to the aim of your prologue - that you kind of imitated a lully opera or at least kind of a baroque opera, not stating here that you are writing baroque music: A prologue clearly with one person stating what is coming next, Appareantly you start out in D and you seem to stay in D the entire prologue long. Two remarks: a) why not change tonality? If you are working in one key, using this traditional type of music, why not indicate the # or b''s at the beginning of the staffs; it makes reading a lot easier and much more logical.

Kind regards,

Wolfgang

Thank you for your response

I really just wrote it as a simple tune and had no intention on making it a big piece, just a short ensemble piece. Nothing grand or technically major. Just a song. It's purpose really is just to explain the first scene. I appreciate your advice but before I go and turn the prologue into a concerto or a symphony I just wanted to point that out. It's very nice constructive criticism, though.

It really is a pretty melody, I'm sorry I can't really add anything else very detailed because my knowledge of composing is rather limited, but it is lovely~ <3