Preview: Wind Symphony #1

This was written to fulfil an orchestration assignment for one of my classes. I'm not sure that I even consider this a complete 1st draft, but it contains enough motivic material that I figured it was worth posting for review.

MP3

Please post constructive critique.

Orchestration Final_2006_12_08_0900.MUS

this is very interesting.

I like the "repetitive without actually being repetitive" texture (not too many ways to describe that, are there?)

one thing I'd work on from an orchestration standpoint, is the transitions between phrased material. They're a little too "blocky" right now. One senses in a very square way where phrases start and stop, despite the fluidity of the actual motivic material.

from a structural point of view, I'm not sure this stands the test of depth and development to be an actual symphony movement. Although, I really COULD see it as a prelude to a sort of much larger-scale symphony.... something definately not orthodox as far as form goes, but interesting none the less.

all in all, despite some flaws, I liked it.

very interestingly, I was considering working on a symphony for wind ensemble at some later date. you beat me to it :P

Thanks, Qc. Yeah it's pretty short of being an entire movement right now; I ran out of time to develop the structure properly, and I spent only two days on the scoring. My composition and orchestration teachers may be able to help me with this. Thanks for the critique on the transitions - I will work on those.

I found this harmonically very interesting - but the rhythmic structures, either as accompaniment or melody were fairly mundane and predictable - I wonder that this was your objective.

Of course, this is much more a stylistic (and subjective) criticism than a technical one -but FWIW, you could achieve the same musical effect, yet keep one step ahead of the listener by throwing in the odd meter. For instance, what if measure 49 was a 3/4, or even better, measure of 5/4?

I really like this piece. (:

Great job,

I love the harmonies.