"Anna's Lullaby" - for Piano/Woodwinds Quartet | Kyle H. (UncleRed99)

Anna's Lullaby was the culimation of an instrumentation challenge posed to me by @MK_Piano , and a Piano Chord Progression & Motif that I came up with during my down time.

It elicited, to me, what felt like a lullaby, or, a loving embrace. Which reminded me of one of the Family dogs that we had, growing up. Her name was Anna. She passed, in recent years, due to her old age, and she was one of the most memorable parts of my childhood. So I've dedicated this score to her memory. I feel it lays her to rest, in a careful and loving way.

Feedback is welcomed!

-Unc

Updated - Added Oboe part, adjusted Harmonies, fixed Piano Ped. Mark Engraving.

AnnasLullaby.pdf

P.S.

Here's the most recent photo I had of Anna. I wish it were a better one. It's a screenshot of a video I took of her giving me a "5" or, giving me her paw. You can see her age in this photo. She was 17 when she passed.

Hello dear UncleRed99,

This is a wonderful piece.
Since she lived to be 17, she certainly had a long life.
Of course, I hadn't heard the piece before, but it has a lovely, nostalgic quality to it.
It’s not nostalgia for a specific place or time, but rather the kind that comes from looking back on cherished memories.
It has become a beautiful memory paired with a beautiful song.
Your work is always so gentle and warm; it brings a sense of comfort.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful piece and your memories.

Rest in peace, Anna.

Best,

Lithl.

What a Lovely little Doggy, immediately made me cry.

I think some doggy's have a spirit that can be seen beyond the Fur

The love they possess can be seen in certain characteristics ,

wagging their tale when they greet you

excited about being taken for a walk,

and of course Dinner-Time

That kind of spirit can't be embodied by a mere human

because its Far to PURE.

Regarding this composition , i did previously say that your " Best is yet to come"

And this is the first one, and the start of many more...

perhaps your getting Guidance from someone, with the letter "A" ?

---

The whole composition sounds like its being played by REAL people

Because every Instrument sounds so REAL !

I dont know how you did this, but its BEAUTIFUL , just like Anna x

Edited Tuesday at 03:45 AM4 days by interlect

5 hours ago, interlect said:

What a Lovely little Doggy, immediately made me cry.

I think some doggy's have a spirit that can be seen beyond the Fur

The love they possess can be seen in certain characteristics ,

wagging their tale when they greet you

excited about being taken for a walk,

and of course Dinner-Time

That kind of spirit can't be embodied by a mere human

because its Far to PURE.

---

Regarding this composition , i did previously say that your " Best is yet to come"

And this is the first one, and the start of many more...

perhaps your getting Guidance from someone, with the letter "A" ?

---

The whole composition sounds like its being played by REAL people

Because every Instrument sounds so REAL !

I dont know how you did this, but its BEAUTIFUL , just like Anna x

Regarding playback sound, I use Nucleus / Audio Imperia Flute & Clarinet, MuseSounds Bassoon, and Spitfire LABS Reverberant Ribbons Intimate Piano. It's just utilization of VST3 plugins to get that realistic playback sound :)

Thank you for your kind words. I have more I have thought I want to add to this piece. Stay tuned, if interested. :)

-Unc

6 hours ago, Lithl said:

Hello dear UncleRed99,

This is a wonderful piece.
Since she lived to be 17, she certainly had a long life.
Of course, I hadn't heard the piece before, but it has a lovely, nostalgic quality to it.
It’s not nostalgia for a specific place or time, but rather the kind that comes from looking back on cherished memories.
It has become a beautiful memory paired with a beautiful song.
Your work is always so gentle and warm; it brings a sense of comfort.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful piece and your memories.

Rest in peace, Anna.

Best,

Lithl.

Thank you, Lithl. :) I have a few thoughts of something I want to add to this piece, despite finalizing it. (I also noticed some engraving errors I'd like to correct.) Stay tuned, if interested :)

-Unc

36 minutes ago, UncleRed99 said:

Regarding playback sound, I use Nucleus / Audio Imperia Flute & Clarinet, MuseSounds Bassoon, and Spitfire LABS Reverberant Ribbons Intimate Piano. It's just utilization of VST3 plugins to get that realistic playback sound :)

Thank you for your kind words. I have more I have thought I want to add to this piece. Stay tuned, if interested. :)

-Unc

Ohhhh.... The Double -Barrel Big Guns !...very nice.....no wonder it sounds so good.......That will create alot of Inspiration

30 minutes ago, interlect said:

Ohhhh.... The Double -Barrel Big Guns !...very nice.....no wonder it sounds so good.......That will create alot of Inspiration

Not quiiiite that plugin. I simply use MuseSounds Pro which includes their own mixed version of some popular plugins, which they've partnered with to create exclusively for MuseScore Studio. They can be found in the MuseHub Application.

-Unc

Edits have been made to the score, as I mentioned. Check it out if interested!!!

Lovely sentimental work. I loved the bassoon solo in the beginning!

Mark

Hey Kyle @UncleRed99 !

What a lovely piece which is clearly in your style: sentimental, refreshing and lovely. I like the tone color of the whole piece, and all the solo passages of the winds. Just some suggestion of mine: first the pianist isn't given a chance to play the melody at all except b.41-44. Since I've just reviewed @MK_Piano 's October piece it immediately reminds me of his piece where there is piano solo passages. I think here you can extend your piano solo passage as well and also have the winds accompanying the piano melody.

Also whenever two winds are in pair, the upper instrument (in terms of score position, not range of the instrument) always have the melody. What if clarinet and oboe playing together and clarinet gets the melody? Or bassoon getting the melody over a flute countermelody? You can think of more varieties in the instrumentation as well! Also for the recurring figure in b.13:

Seeing this figure immediately reminds myself of my own Clarinet Quintet 1st mov to advertise myself lol:

Thx for your sharing, and my deepest condolences to you and your family for losing a family member, as Anna accompanies you for such long years as a lovely pet and family member.

Henry