To Fantasize Contentment - For Oboe and Piano (NEW VERSION OUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!)

this is a bit of a vent piece and a self-soothing one. ive realized that one of my uses of composition is as means of escapism too. also keeping the titling convention of "To ...." of my woodwinds pieces.

to look at your phone, to scroll through social media, to see strangers go out, doing activities with their friends and partners, to observe their poses as they look ever so content, to envy their posted achievements of their life, to fantasize how it would look like if you were out there having your own fun, to then have a dilemma of the smokes and mirrors of social media, to realize these posts are just highlights of their special days, to notice and understand their hidden struggles behind the pictures, yet, despite all of that, they still had those days. they still had the reminiscence of their experience. they still experienced them while youre here, stuck, as the world moves so fast around you, as you fantasize your own contentment alone.

enjoy.

feedbacks are welcomed.

NEW VERSION IS OUT!!!!!!!!! check it out :>

To Fantasize Contentment NEW.pdf

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by ferrum.wav
NEW VERSION RRAAAAAAAAAA

This is a very lovely work which reminds of the Poulenc Oboe Sonata The piano accompaniment is very effective. The initial theme lovely; however, a bit repetitious (even with the challenging piano movement underneath). From a technical point of view - no problem for the Oboist here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hgiP3XLKQ8&list=RD9hgiP3XLKQ8&start_radio=1

well that was beautiful. I find myself most partial to the end of the piece, I found myself really desiring a longer phrase, so it was nice when one finally came. I will agree with MJFOBOE that the oboe part did get a little repetitive, but considering the subject matter, and the beauty of the ending as a result of that repetition, I would say it was acceptable. Also I think the MIDI made the staccatos a little extra piercing so I noticed it every time.

Regarding the subject matter… real. It’s so hard to keep working to improve yourself and your position in the world, but remember hope is a weapon. I believe in you and your beautiful music.

14 hours ago, MJFOBOE said:

The initial theme lovely; however, a bit repetitious (even with the challenging piano movement underneath).

2 hours ago, Some Guy That writes Music said:

I will agree with MJFOBOE that the oboe part did get a little repetitive,

i have started doing some revisions on this, adding extra variations on the repeated oboe part (and some on the piano). hopefully this will fix the repetitiousness and make it more interesting but not entirely make the themes unrecognizable. should be finished in a few days !!

14 hours ago, MJFOBOE said:

This is a very lovely work which reminds of the Poulenc Oboe Sonata

funny you mentioned that. i had listened to that and strauss' oboe concerto and checked out how they treat the oboe before i composed this lmao

thanks for the feedback guys !! glad you both enjoyed it

Hi @ferrum.wav !

I like the fast section in the middle, and I do think the composing technique is up to your standard of your past works. However I don't know why but I have to agree with @Some Guy That writes Music and @MJFOBOE that the piece is a bit monotomous to me. Maybe it's about the colour thing: previously your marvellous works are all orchestral pieces so there are a lot of colour to play with, but in chamber music setting you have much less color to change and have to focus much more on the overall structure of the piece. Although one thought is that the repetitveness and monotomy of the piece represents how the daily life works. It's my subjective comment of course and nitpicky tho =.=

Thx for sharing!

Henry

On 8/1/2026 at 10:07 AM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

However I don't know why but I have to agree with @Some Guy That writes Music and @MJFOBOE that the piece is a bit monotomous to me. Maybe it's about the colour thing: previously your marvellous works are all orchestral pieces so there are a lot of colour to play with, but in chamber music setting you have much less color to change and have to focus much more on the overall structure of the piece.

duuudee i just read about this on a book as well and i already fumbled on this piece lmao. but yeah, i also agree, the accompaniment patterns are monotonous and definitely one of the primary subjects of revision!!! need some punctuation and need to highlight the peak of phrases more often

thanks for the feedbacks @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited August 4Aug 4 by ferrum.wav

after two WEEEKKKS, the revision is finally DONEEEEEEEEEE (definitely longer than a few days lmao)

i ended up investing more time on this but its definitely worth it cus i do think is so much better. a lot of it was just changing the boring accompaniment to make it more interesting rather than repeat one to one. the new version highlights those peaks on phrases, added more rooms to breathe, and variations!! im definitely spent on this damn piece but is out now so ENJOYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here's the OLD version for comparison, NEW version is on the main post at the top of this thread.

To Fantasize Contentment OLD.pdf

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by ferrum.wav