World War Two Symphony | Movement One: Prelude

This World War Two symphony opens with the Prelude Movement, which paints a bleak picture of the world as it was just prior to the outbreak of war in Europe. This first of six movements introduces the Allies theme and then the German theme, which slowly builds to the Nazi theme.

Please let me know what you think about this piece that was composed and sequenced entirely on the Roland FA-06 Workstation and recorded on the Tascam SD-24. I did some light processing with Audacity.

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/JiTty

Edited February 1, 20224 yr by DFox
Update 2/1/22: Added MP3

My favorite theme is played by Clarinet at 3:44 and then later taken over by horns and strings in a much more dramatic fashion.  Is that the German theme or the Nazi theme?  I think your orchestration could have been more involved to bring the intensity of the war to a zenith.  As it stands it doesn't really sound as exciting and complex as an orchestra piece should be expected to be.  It sounds like it was basically composed at a keyboard.  Although that doesn't mean that the material isn't interesting and affecting - still quite enjoyable.  Is there a Russian theme in there?  It certainly sounds like it at 6:15 and on - coming to climax at 7:25.  Thanks for sharing!

Thank you very much for the detailed feedback. To answer you questions, the Allies theme begins at 3:44. I'm not surprised the piece sounds like it was composed on a keyboard, because it was, using only the one Roland sound module. The German theme isn't introduced until 6:15 and builds to its transformation to the Nazi theme, climaxing at 7:25. I used older German themes to inspire me away from the typical polka marches, though I suppose I can hear the Russian possibility. Thanks again for the feedback.

This seriously deserves more views here. Very nice work.

I like that you're kicking it oldschool with the Romplers/Workstation and the Tascam. Because although the samples don't sound "real" they still sound pretty good and you can just play it without worrying about all sorts of parameters that VSTs have, which you must screw with + layering to get them to play the kinds of lines you have here.

In short: It actually sounds like music instead of slow legato patches and ostinato like many default to these days.

Goes to show that if you know how to compose and know your gear, you don't need the expensive samples to realize something great.

Thanks for the great feedback! I know there are great software options that allow for some really compelling orchestrations, but I always found myself spending more time troubleshooting computer issues and less time composing. 🙂 Thanks again for listening!