January 7Jan 7 Happy New Year to all! For my first post of 2026, here's my orchestration of Medelssohn's Barcarolle from Songs Without Words. It's more or less done; though I may add more dynamics to match the original piano work, and need to add more slurs. Current dynamics are intended for midi playback: so I will be adjusting those for real life performance. Haven't decided where to mark a2 and solo in the winds: so any tips on that would be really helpful. Edited January 7Jan 7 by Alex Weidmann
January 10Jan 10 Hi @Alex Weidmann! When as a kid (and now as an old man) I always love this Mendelssohn piece! I like your combination of vibraphone and harp, and later also the glockenspiel (maybe I love a xylophone more) combination for the accompaniment. Flute is definitely a great choice for the main solo instrument throughout! Maybe for me, I will definitely have the melody played by the violins and/or the cellos for another timbre. But still, a lovely arrangement! Henry
January 10Jan 10 Author Thanks Henry. Mendelssohn is a composer I've neglected until now; although he was apparently a greater child genius than Mozart! I accidentally wrote a few hand clashes in the harp (e.g. Bar 45 on Middle C). Hadn't thought of using xylophone, but will give it a try. I would like to add more for the violins and celli to do: so I think your suggestion is a great idea.
1 hour ago1 hr Hey @Alex Weidmann !I love this orchestration - you've included lots of clever voice exchanges between the flute, oboe and clarinet that really create a kind of klangfarbenmelodie out of Mendelssohn's original piece. So great job there! I personally like your choices of pitched percussion in this piece - in my opinion the xylophone has too sharp of an attack and brings to mind Saint-Seans' usage in the Danse Macabre where it very effectively symbolizes the dancing of the skeletons and percussive effect of bones hitting the instrument instead of mallets. Vibraphone and glockenspiel are much more mellow and sparkly (respectively speaking) which I think is appropriate for this piece! Thanks for sharing!
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