Obscene Obsession for Full Symphonic Orchestra

Well...

I think that this is the largest piece I've written in terms of length, but also in time it took to work it out! It's just enormous for my state of mind back then. Written in 2004!

www.nikolas-sideris.com/stuff/oo.mp3

www.nikolas-sideris.com/stuff/oo.pdf

A very short analysis of the work...

The work is seperated in 7 chapters, starting from Brith and reaching Death. I won't answer any questions on that! :D

Other than that underneath the music, there is an everlasting fractal which grows in speed and pitches.

I find that this is the most impotant piece in my career up to then, and in my advancment as a composer. This is the piece that made me realise that I can wrtie "good" music!

I'm looking forward to your reviews. Just note that this is a finished piece and thus I won't be chaning anything really, unless it is a tpyo, or some other bizzare error... I'm not looking for the type of feedback "did I do the right thin at bar 240?", but more the type of feedback "did you enjoy it? Yes or No? Why?" and so on so fourth.

Sure enough I don't have the power to dictate to you what to post, so really post anything you want really... :)

Hi Nikolas.

About your question "did you enjoy it? Yes or No? Why?", I will try to answer simply.

I love very much the other music you have done. I am one of your fan.

But with this one, I can say I don't enjoy it.

Why ? I am not sure. This music doesn't touch me, it is that simple.

Why ? I think that the reason is because I am not familiar with this style of music.

The other compositions you have made was more easy to understand.

Of course that doesn't mean that it is not good music. It is just something I can't understand, maybe too modern.

The melody was not clear for me, and this is for me an important part of music.

Depending of our musical knowledge and experiences, we are able to understand some music and not others. This is the case for me here.

It is difficult to say really why I don't like it, maybe the simplest reason is that I do not understand it. I do not understand what you wanted to share.

I hope this comment will help.

Maximus

Hi Nikolas,

I enjoyed this work, It was an interesting experience, to hear all those textures and atmospheres that you created with the orchestra and the occasional climaxes was nice First part was very atmospheric, and then the second part came out of nowhere with that haunting melody on flute and clarinet. The third part was just what you needed. A difference in pace and character. however the harmonic language stays the same, you introduce some different ideas that makes it interesting.

On part three, Cluster harmonies at horns might sound bad in reality. I am not much of an experienced orchestrator but I wouldn't do that, because I think it might not bring the effect that you are after. Oh now I lost where I was on the score ! The final drive of the piece was very energetic and powerful, I am sure the real orchestra will sound spectacular at this part.

I have one criticism for the piece. It seems like the piece is very angry and doesn't wants to calm down for one bit. It has this tension from beginning to the end that does not resolve. I know that you are not going to make any difference on the piece after this point but this is just my suggestion. The pacing of the piece does not allow a breathing point for the listener. The harmonies seems to be based on clusters and thats what makes all the tension. Perhaps you could have used some chords here and there so that it could bring a breathing point between all those tensions.

Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the piece. As I said before, the textures and the over atmosphere was very exciting. The orchestrations seemed nice, but since you used some graphical notation and irregular timing of notes (I saw some on piano) It is not possible to simulate that sound through computer. i believe it will sound amazing with a real orchestra.

Maximus, thank you for you honesty man! Much needed :)

It is definately not an easy work, and to be honest I think that it has more of a sentimental value to me, than an artistic (as a user, not a composer). I do listen to other works I've done much more often. (and my website does not contain O.O. actually, while it contain other works ;))

Inal:

Thank you for posting man.

you totally speak the truth. One major fault of this work (looking back 3 years) is the continuous drive, the continuous forte... (it is pretty much what Saul sensed, but it was certainly not evident on the 1st 2 minutes...)

The clusters... Yes, don't know really. I know that F. Hrns have a tad of a problem with such things (I know now... :))

The orchestration, was a joy to do really, but it shows some amateur mistakes really...

Yes, a live recording would be awesmoe, but still... I doutb it will happen as it needs a major revamp in order to do it... Still it is my heritage, and had to post it here.

-------

Major bonus points (of no value) to those who would decide to see the plan underneath the work. what I do with the pitches, etc... ;)

I will give away the idea in a few days or so, but if anyone is in a mood, you are more than welcome to join ahead ;)

I wasn't looking for what you just hinted at, but I did listen and watch the score. Bravo! I definitely don't want to compare you to Stravinsky, but you are something like a modern-ish version of him. I really enjoyed this work. I could repeat what others have said, because I had similar bothers, but oh well.

I agree with Nightfly about the lack of climax, or something to that effect. I really enjoyed the small harp part right before death. It actually moved me some small way -- I think you have the ability to create a very beautiful theme there as some sort of release. But I know that's probably not what you were going for.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I really enjoyed this piece.

Hem...

I sure hope that you notices at around 09:00 to 10:00 the Stravinsky theme in there...

Cheers for listening Rafn. :)

Oh! Is that the little thing? Well, whaddya know ... :)

But I forgot to mention one thing - at the beginning, when everybody is entering really softly, it would be hard for the trumpets to hit those high notes when they first come in. Not something that a professional couldn't do, but even then, I don't think it would be pp/p. But then again, I wouldn't know, it just seemed a little extreme.

lol... :)

Yes, trumpets hit some extra high notes with no preparation, which makes things hard as *** to play... Not impossible though... ;)

This conjures up some pretty intense moods nikolas, I really like it, especially the 'Creation' section, that interweaving flute/clarinet thing.

Thanks bmp... :D

I also like the creation. (but to be honest I'm fully with the last chapter, death :huh:)

It sounds like a good song for the scary/suspense movies. I really liked some parts where the music put me on edge wanting the music to resolve. I was impressed. One thing i note though, is there was nothing to connect the song at all. not even a small melody that would occur at least two or three times. The music was all over the place. Very free though. good job.

First of all, thanks :)

One thing i note though, is there was nothing to connect the song at all. not even a small melody that would occur at least two or three times. The music was all over the place. Very free though. good job.

Actually I will have to dissagree with you here.

The central idea (while it is underground) is there from begining to end. From bar 1 to bar 300+ (don't remember the number actually). Everything is strongly connected to that skeleton idea, which does appear as "death" (the last section in the score).

As I mentioned in post #1 there is a fractal which keeps moving and expanding and everlasting going faster. That fractal, while in the first 3-4 sections is not apparent fully (while it is there), in the last chapters it is fully obvious.

I will make a score to indicate what's going on further... (when I find a bit of time that is...)

This piece was very interesting and I found it to be a very good listen! You created a good atmosphere with the orchestra and it was easy to "feel" the music if you know what I mean. Anyways, I liked it very much, the only thing I felt was left out like some of the others mentioned is some sort of a climax.

Anyways, good job :D

I really really like this piece. It is right up my street. I especially like the bit with the pizz violins and sudden discords and then massive horn line. Your very very talented. Keep it coming!!

I don't think I'm the first one to say "I usually don't like modern music but this was awesome." I can't really say much specifically, but I agree that there are plenty of melodies, from the opening motives to the chaotic ones at the end. Truthfully, I found the first half to be much more interesting than the rest; however, it is all skillfully written. Great job.

Hey nikolas, I'm loving the textures. Great piece. My only complaint (and I think it's been said before) is there was no contrast to the claustrophobic feeling of it. Other than that, I loved it. You definately have a great talent.

[quote name='Erik

I really really like this piece. It is right up my street. I especially like the bit with the pizz violins and sudden discords and then massive horn line. Your very very talented. Keep it coming!!

Thanks :)

I don't think I'm the first one to say "I usually don't like modern music but this was awesome." I can't really say much specifically, but I agree that there are plenty of melodies, from the opening motives to the chaotic ones at the end. Truthfully, I found the first half to be much more interesting than the rest; however, it is all skillfully written. Great job.

Cheers :) Yes, the 2nd part seems to be lacking... I know why (I used cut and paste technique, not produce something new, as it seems I was getting tired...) and it shows... :(

Hey nikolas, I'm loving the textures. Great piece. My only complaint (and I think it's been said before) is there was no contrast to the claustrophobic feeling of it. Other than that, I loved it. You definately have a great talent.

Thanks for listening and for posting. :)

Yup... I know that one, and it's something I try to get away from... :(

Cheers again

I think the orchestration was pretty good in this piece. I especially like the section near the late middle, where there's the English and Xylophone. They are such a good pair! :D

When Og first hit She-Og over the head with a club, he dragged her back to his cave, and decided to impress her with his abilities. Afterwards she said "that's not much of a climax." Og Looked at her with his eyes still ablaze with passion and replied, " It is not where your going that counts, it is the path that you follow on your journey, that decides the pleasure of the trip."

What a delightful journey.

I have listened to this many times in the past and just realized I had never commented on it. Many composers have their works criticized for not having a big enough climax ( in the listeners opinion). For this work I would have chosen a much quieter ending, maybe even a return to the opening measures, however I am very satisfied with the ending you have so talentedly composed.

You know I love your music and would love to see a live performance one day of any of your works.

I could see and feel the clock ticking throughout the piece and you emphasized it at all the right places.

Tchichovsky's Path

The Forgotten Commandment

Commandment #11: thou shalt revive masterworks of art

Yikes!

I had forgotten about this thread...

Oboeducky: Sorry for not replying any sooner. Glad you liked it

Rollifer: WOW! How nice! I was sure you would enjoy the brutal continuous force of this piece. I do see what you mean about the ending, though, and I can agree 49% with you! When I was writting the piece I would never have thought a different ending, but not detached as I am, I think that a quiter ending might serve the piece well... Maybe next time! :D

thatguy:

Zillion thanks for bumping the thread and also for the PM! I'm flattered to think of it as "masterwork" of art, but I'm also enjoying it! :D

Cheers buddy!

Nikolas

I just listened to this again (for the againth time) and you do something so wonderful with this piece. It seems like everyone wanted resolve to the tension, judging by the comments, but the funny thing is i didnt ever feel teh tension/resolve atmosphere of it. This piece makes me view music in such a different and unique way. I'll be honest, i didnt follow the score (because i was sick of getting lost lol), so i just sat in the dark and listened as intently as i could. I cant describe it, im not that advanced in music yet, but it jsut seemed like one gigantic coherent and incredibly clear whole. what you do with this piece i have no idea, but for some reason this piece made so much sense to me. It was very easy to view your audio painting, and im just flattered that you stick around this site (along with a few other advanced composers) to broadcast your beautiful work. yes, i do believe this is beautiful, partly because of the fact like i said that i honestly cant see a need to resolve. ya its dissonant and chaotic, but i feel the different themes you used and extravagant colors of the orchestra add to the fire, and i just couldnt stop staring. you are a fantastic composer, one of the best that ive heard.

my favorite parts were many, some that stand out though are, well, like i said i couldnt follow the score, but a little over halfway through this you had something that sounded like hasty footsteps, and ya it scared the scraggy out of me :D . also, you quoted stravinsky's rite of spring in here..i loved it! the last i will mention is the end section, where i heard some of the most picture-esque beautiful orchestration. kudos again Nikolas, fantazmic work!!!

Vince

I just listened to this again (for the againth time) and you do something so wonderful with this piece. It seems like everyone wanted resolve to the tension, judging by the comments, but the funny thing is i didnt ever feel teh tension/resolve atmosphere of it.

Vince

I agree fully. I didn't really want the tension to resolve, in fact, when it ended, I wanted more tension! "Is that all?!" was the thought going through my mind. However, I loved the piece from start to finish. Birth was my favorite section, especially the huge buildup to the climax to the end. I have to agree that the second half was slightly lacking (what it was lacking however, I'm not sure). Also, the second section (I forget the name) seemed to drag on a little bit, with all the repeating lines and what not. If I had written it I probably would have added some more melodic stuff in the bass instruments underneath all the upper woodwind chaos. But hey, it's your piece, not mine.

All in all, great job. There may be some orchestrational flaws, but I'm not one to be all nitpicky with the score analysis and whatnot. It sounds great as it is anyway.

- ClassicalSax