I've been working on a three-song project, a kind of trilogy, based on the parable of the Prodigal Son. If you are familiar with this story (Luke 15:11–32), there are 3 main characters: the Young Son, the Elder Son, and the Father. So I'm making a song for each.

This posting is the song of the Elder Son:
What Goes On?

A while back, an opera-loving friend of mine invited me to see the Met's Live HD performance of Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor"..in it, there is a sextet--six melodies sung concurrently--just blew me away at the composer's skill. I decided that I would try that in this piece.

So, in this song, the characters sing in sequence:
First, the Elder Son
Second, the Father
Third, the 'crowd' (extended family and friends)
Fourth, the Young Son

Then, all sing concurrently.

It's a long piece, about 5 1/2 mins. Thanks in advance to anyone who listens!

=========================
Elder Son:
I hear music, joyful and merry
Though we're still on the job
What's all the noise about?
What makes them sing and shout?
What goes on?--I need to find out.

Who's this tramp, so filthy and ragged
Kneeling at down at your knees
Brother who walked away?
Father you've got to say?
Out you scoundrel, out of my house! 

Years I'm working, asked for nothing,
Yet I get no due.
Father, have I let you down?
Still there is no praise..with you all your days.

Oh, such nonsense, false celebration!
Father, where is your mind?
This one is dead to you--
I've been your son who's true;
Throw him out and leave him behind. 

This one is dead to you--
I've been your son who's true;
Throw him out and leave him behind. 

Father:
See how my son's returned,
Son of my heart;
How many years I've prayed!
Now he's alive, he'll have what is mine!

Crowd:
We agree that he is bad,
You shouldn't ever let him
Back in your inner Life

Younger Song: 
Am I worth this?  Lowly scoundrel!
Yes, I left you,
Now, you welcome me home.

=====================
Song Specs:
I didn't use a pre-made style, and I didn't use any RT's or RD's..everything MIDI via ForteDXi and ST3.

Excellent!!!!, I love the theme here, so well done, and interesting!!!

An interesting project..quite an undertaking!! This is well done...strong mood element to the music. Enjoyed! Take care. Greg

Like a story book with musical arrangement never been my thing audio books etc.

Well done though.

Hello, Tom

Very nice pipe organ!
This melody makes me feel J.S.Bach Fugue In G Minor BWV578 somewhere.
The orchestration is wonderful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
I am looking forward to other two songs.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

That was ambitious! As Shigeki mentioned, it's got a Bach-like feel to it.

I enjoyed listening to it, which - to be honest - I was a bit leery about after reading your description!

This is very cool piece of music. Very creative.....

The arrangement reminded me of The Butcher's Tale form The Zombies break up album.
Cool.

Ambitious and original, particularly at the close where the singers come together. It has a very stagy ( A. Lloyd Weber) feel and the lyrics lend themselves to a theatrical setting. It would be easier to follow the story with different singers for each character, but as is I still found it enjoyable... and the organ adds some dramatic atmosphere.

Robert

Thanks all who listened..I wish I was 4 different people so that I could differentiate the vocals..will have to work on that!