Landscapes competition submission - Morning On Whidbey Island

This is my submission for the Landscapes competition.

For my landscape I have chosen this photo I took a few years ago while on vacation on Whidbey Island, which sits on the Puget Sound near Seattle. It's written for Oboe, Bassoon, and Harp. I wanted to capture the quiet, stillness of the moment with music that is very simple and delicate.

Morning On Whidbey Island - Score.pdf

Edited April 27Apr 27 by BipolarComposer

Very Good Well Done

You've Set a Standard that's Hard to compete with....

By using only 3 Instruments, you've been able to create an inspiring, "MOOD".

This piece of music did it’s a really good job, capturing the quietness and beauty of the given landscape. It’s not really my cup of tea, but it’s relaxing and it gives the atmospheric feeling that you’re actually there.

Melodic material. 7.5

Chords and texture 6.7

Structure 7.4

Originality 8.2

Engraving 9.7

Orchestration and playability 7

Execution 9.86

taste 5.2

Total 7.69

Average Score: 9

Hi Bioplar,

The choice of instrument for this composition, certainty, was correct. Harp, Bassoon, and Oboe do create the tonal colors for a pastoral piece. You could have choose any wood wind instrument, for they soft, warm colors.

When I hear the harp, I envision mermaid playing on rock. (that is just me)

The woods, I think, create dreamy aura in this piece. I enjoy interplay oboe and bassoon with the harp.

Overall...nice job

Time for the actually score of you entry!

Entry: Morning on Windby Island

Review:

My above comments remain! I took those in affect when I scored this! However, I will add something about the harp. The rolled chord in the left hand are too small for the harp. Usually rolled chords are played by both hands. Nothing major. That is why is only .5 off in the score and playability sections. other than...Kudos

Total: 9.75

38 minutes ago, Kvothe said:

Time for the actually score of you entry!

Entry: Morning on Windby Island

Review:

My above comments remain! I took those in affect when I scored this! However, I will add something about the harp. The rolled chord in the left hand are too small for the harp. Usually rolled chords are played by both hands. Nothing major. That is why is only .5 off in the score and playability sections. other than...Kudos

Total: 9.75

Melodies Themes Motives	Harmony Chords Textures	Form Development Structure Time	Originality Creativity	Score Presentation	Instrumentation Orchestration Playability	Execution of Given Challenge	Taste
10	10	9	10	9.5	9.5	10	10

Thanks for the tip on the harp!

15 hours ago, BipolarComposer said:

Thanks for the tip on the harp!

You are welcome. I am glad to help out. We are here to learn from each other. One day, we enter an official contest, and those contests be scored and reviewed similarly to the ones here. It is good practice to partake one we do here. You learn how entries are scored (0-10) and why. This round I focused on scoring and judging.

The next round: I might do both.

Hi @BipolarComposer !

I really really enjoy the serene atmosphere portrayed by traditionally pastoral double reed instruments. The combination of them with harp definitely enhances the pastoral mood. The sparse spacing, rests and register really gives peace and thoughtfulness to the piece.

One strange throught: I imagine the piece would be even more serene by having the bassoon played a Chinese Dong Xiao and oboe by an alto flute, as there are many lower register for the oboe which would sound unnecessarily strong with a low register oboe. Another thought is that, even I enjoy the serene mood very well, maybe you can invite some contrast in between, For example like @Kvothe suggests, you may write some passages with harp playing wider and stronger chords. Also to my observation, the bassoon never really plays its strong lower register which would make some more powerful passages. With more contrast the serene mood will sound more treasured to me.

Thx for sharing!

Henry