This is a collection of small works for oboe and piano bundled into a six movement song. Before you criticize me to death, I would like to point out two things. First, I am a beginner middle school composer -- I have never had a formal music composition training (Just 3 years obor.) I am not a pianist, so my use of the piano may be a bit off. Second, this is written to be played -- not sound good on Musescore. I pay serious attention to range and sometimes do not include all of the markings necessary to get the sound I want from Musescore (I leave out a whole section for a improvisational solo.) Below are my thoughts on each of these vignettes and what message they are trying to convey:
I "A Life Without Hope"
I really love ballads, so I decided to start my collection with one. It is intended to be sad and end the listener wondering.
II "Endgame"
This piece is inspired by my friend and master composer mysterioso. This piece tries to capture the excitement and mystery and tension of the end of a chess match. Since I'm not much of a chess place, I usually lose (signified by the minor chord at the end)
III "Joust at the Raspberry Fields" (I may have misspelled it in the piece)
This piece tells the story of a knight going into a battle losing and then winning. The piece starts with him observing his fields, knowing he must fight for them over a contract dispute from his neighbor. As the piano plays an interlude, he walks onto the field ready to fight and his theme plays. In the fast tricky sixteenth note section, they begin to fight. During the eighth notes, he retreats. During the Maestoso, he gets encouragement from his family and the raspberry fields. The interlude and his theme sound as he returns to the battle field and wins.
IV: "Celebration"
This song is to try to lighten up after the other darker ones -- its nothing to special. I may eventually right in a suggested solo instead of just having a monotonous interlude.
V: "The Hymn of the Lost Soldier"
I composed this piece with a big story in mind, but decided to leave it ambiguous on MuseScore.
VI: "To a New Beginning"
This fast march, is meant to symbolize the entering of a new era. This piece's goal in the suite is to end the sextet on a happy note.
Please, give me some advice on what to do next or how to edit this. Thank you!
Comments (8)
If you go the the parts list (F10) and turn down the chorus level on the oboe, it will sound a lot better.... Nice job :)
But I don't want to be all criticism. This collection of songs is really cool. I don't know how I've missed this for so long. I'm not going to go through each song and tell what I like best about it, because I could be here for awhile. My personal favorites are "The Hymn of the Lost Soldier" and "Endgame."
Happy trails, Flyingninja77
Thanks! I am a fan of most of your works, too! The piano itself should be a substantial amount louder. I'm working on a Duets 2 right now.
Any more suggestions? (I'd be happy for any help.)
You may want to double the bass (Con 8vb or just add a perfect octave) to bring out the "maestoso." Being a pianist, that's what I'd do.
Such a horrible oboe sound, but a very nice piece!
I know! The oboe is really weird.
I will not criticize you to death, because I only criticize to death when I really can find a lot of things to criticize. I can't find a plethora of criticizable features (I don't know if that's a word), only that you need dynamics because the oboe totally overpowers the piano, and also that the piano part might need a touch of epicness. Overall, you did an excellent job with the piece.
P.S: the clefs and the key signatures disappear on some parts. Try to keep them in, as they are needed to correctly interpret the piano on occasion.