Palette - For Large Ensemble and Gospel Choir (2024)

Hi @Symphonic!

Very cool - pointillistic sometimes.  There is definitely a recurring theme to this although it was quite unusual and disjointed.  Or at least very fragmented/dissolute.  I like also all the polyrhythms going at different rates.  I was going to say - "but where's the gospel choir?"  LoL But is this your own arrangement of Amazing Grace or a performance of someone else's arrangement?  Either way the performance is quite good!  You also don't really explain how the Palette piece is supposed to be connected/related to the Amazing Grace song.  At the point at which they connect they're in the same key - at least that much is audible though.  Overall this was mostly quite enjoyable!  There were a few spots where I felt like you kept me as the listener waiting for something though.  But other than that it was great!  Thanks for sharing.

Hi, it was a bit of a challenge to categorize your style/work: impressionist - minimalist; however, I agree with the above insight as pointillist.

I wonder what was your idea/purpose in integrating the choral work?  By the way the orchestra has a wonderful texture/color.

Mark

On 4/24/2024 at 11:16 AM, PeterthePapercomPoser said:

Hi @Symphonic!

Very cool - pointillistic sometimes.  There is definitely a recurring theme to this although it was quite unusual and disjointed.  Or at least very fragmented/dissolute.  I like also all the polyrhythms going at different rates.  I was going to say - "but where's the gospel choir?"  LoL But is this your own arrangement of Amazing Grace or a performance of someone else's arrangement?  Either way the performance is quite good!  You also don't really explain how the Palette piece is supposed to be connected/related to the Amazing Grace song.  At the point at which they connect they're in the same key - at least that much is audible though.  Overall this was mostly quite enjoyable!  There were a few spots where I felt like you kept me as the listener waiting for something though.  But other than that it was great!  Thanks for sharing.

 

Thank you very much. After reading yours and @MJFOBOE comment, I am going to study/listen to some music that is overtly pointillistic music so that I can immerse myself in that style more purposefully.  

Yes, the gospel choir joins right at the end. It was not planned beforehand. The idea just came to me at that moment. I could hear Amazing Grace in my head - and I did not not want to ignore what I could hear just because it wouldn't make immediate logical sense. If it came into my mind whilst composing, then I trust that it makes sense, somehow. Indeed, that they connect by being in the same key is merely a coincidence. If the two sections were in different keys, I would still be ok with it.

"mostly quite enjoyable" makes me smile. (hopefully there is an added emphasis on the 'mostly!').

On 4/26/2024 at 9:27 PM, MJFOBOE said:

Hi, it was a bit of a challenge to categorize your style/work: impressionist - minimalist; however, I agree with the above insight as pointillist.

I wonder what was your idea/purpose in integrating the choral work?  By the way the orchestra has a wonderful texture/color.

Mark

 

Hi Mark, thanks for your comment.

When the penultimate tutti section came to a natural close, I could immediately hear Amazing Grace in my mind. So I included it was part of the overall work. Amazing Grace is a piece which resonates with my spirit very closely. And during this time in my life, I feel more closely to it than ever. So perhaps that is why I could hear it being sung in my imagination.  

"By the way the orchestra has a wonderful texture/color." Thank you.

Trying to evoke powerful colours through music is something I really aspire to do. I think I still have a long way to go in achieving it. The music can go even further in trying to evoke a rainbow of sonorities . Perhaps I just need to be braver in trusting my imagination. 

The idea/purpose behind integrating the choral work was that