After my presentation, there were several suggestions about my orchestration:
1. My use of string is atypical, since they are usually highlighted rather than a sustained pad. Making different use of them is not necessarily bad, but as the piece continues, it would be to my benefit to make full use of their capabilities.
2. Several orchestration texts were suggested to me, including that by Rimsky-Korsakov and that by Sam Adler.
3. I was advised to learn more about harp writing, since I need to be aware of the pedalling requirements for non-diatonic notes. For this purpose, it was suggested I look at the works of John Weinzweig.
4. Percussion writing strategies were brought to my attention. I was advised to write by player rather than by instrument, to write interesting and integral percussion parts, and to write for one timpanist and two percussionists.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
February 2nd
My
work this week was quite well-received. Suggestions mainly concerned
ideas for variations as the piece develops. Experimenting with
rhythmic variation was encouraged, particularly with making rhythms
more irregular. Suggestions included occasionally delaying chords to
make them less regular, and offsetting the “waves” motif while
maintaining the oscillating figure. Such irregularity would mimic the
irregularity found in nature. I was advised to plan out the remainder
of the composition, using visual diagrams and considering
orchestration. Most importantly, the main suggestion was to ensure
that the piece holds more surprises.
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