Choral Introduction to my Symphony No. 1

Choir Intro.pdf

Attached is the score and audio recording of the first few bars of a symphony that I've been working on. I'd just like some feedback as to whether it sounds like something out of the romantic period - that's the style that I'd like to emulate the most. I love Rachmaninoff, Mahler, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, all the greats, Mahler particularly standing out for me. I've made no lyrics to the piece, but it will follow a sombre, relating to death, and resistance against death kind of mood. The opening melody, characterized by the rising sixth, falling seventh, then back up a semitone to the dominant, is the main theme, and is repeated throughout the symphony. I'm just looking for any kind of feedback on how I can make this more classical.

Hello @erionmahony and welcome to the forum!

I really like this dark and mournful piece!  You use plenty of dissonant crunchy chords left deliberately unresolved, and non-harmonic tones such as suspensions in the melody that are really heart wrenching!  I really like the change of key.  I am wondering though if you didn't intend to use a Contrabass section to play along with the choir rather than a solo Contrabass.  In fact, it would make more sense for the whole string orchestra to be present in this piece and to slowly bring each section of the string orchestra in one by one to create a sense of building.  That's what I would do.  Great job and thanks for sharing!