We just finished round 3 of chemo.. Sitting here in Houston, listening to some fine music. We are in a holding pattern of chemo every month to maintain Rachel until we can get her to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for the stem cell transplant. Very hopeful, looking forward to a bright future! Now, back to the forum comments... smile

Originally Posted By: musician17
Beautiful! I am no good at recording techniques, but I would have perhaps put a tad more reverb or something on the brass instruments, so as to make them sound more distant and echoey? But that's just me, don't mind me!

The writing is absolutely beautiful and very moving! You have a fabulous command over orchestration techniques. The piano is like droplets of water falling down - I would have another look at the balance between it and the brass, though, just before the first "general pause". Otherwise - just beautiful, really and truly.

I am so sorry to hear about your wife and your current health tribulations. I will keep you in my prayers - with God by your side, I truly hope things will be easier for both of you. I'm glad you have been able to write music in the meantime - music is indeed a helper and a healer, I personally feel - I really hope you feel the same.

You say you have a classical violinist background? I would love to hear more. I used to play the violin, classically, myself ... Covid times kinda complicated things ... but would love to hear more about this if you want to share! Send me a Private Message, perhaps, if you don't want to talk in public about it? ONLY IF you have time - I realise that this may not be the time for that :-)

Anyway, congratulations - beautiful piece ... sending you my very best wishes for everything!


Thanks so much, musician17! Really appreciate your kind words and prayers. This one was somewhat thrown together. I spent very little time at all on the final mix/master, and I am sure to revisit this one once the storm passes and the dust settles.

As to my violinist years - I had a full scholarship with a music major on violin - way back in the day. (I thought I was really good, but looking back, and knowing some of the people I have known over the years, I realize I was adequate to moderately good.) My dream was to be a Mr. Holland (before Mr. Holland's Opus.) But my mother passed away during my freshman year, and I had to drop out of school to help take care of her during her last days. Funny how things work. I ended up meeting and marrying the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. We ended up at Lakewood Church just a couple months after marrying. Within another few months, I was leading workship and became Minister of Music at what would become the largest church in the US. As a result, instead of leading a high school orchestra somewhere, I was privileged to work with many musicians from the Houston Symphony. Got to play with Little Richard, Barry Mcguire, Pat Boone, Wayne Cochran, among others. Such a whirlwind ride for this young college dropout. Certainly not due to my talent. I have to just say that God put me there. smile. These days I don't play the violin. I was diagnosed about 8 years ago with a neuromuscular condition called CMT. I am losing muscle tone in my hands and feet. I can no longer hold the bow. I can still play the piano, as my fingers can still perform up and down motions, but lateral movements with my thumbs are pretty much gone. (A thumb is a terrible thing to lose! smile )

Sorry for my looong post, but you asked for it! smile (I'm sure I over-estimated your interest in the subject!)


Originally Posted By: dcuny
First, it's great to hear from you - with whatever you're able to do! With so much on you're plate, I'm a bit astonished you get anything else done at all. And doing it to spite the devil? Amen! laugh

Second, I'm glad to hear your wife is in remission, and prayers for your wife's victory walk!

Nice title, by the way. Took me a moment to make the connection. grin

OK, on to the music.

I really enjoyed this - it's ambitious, going for a big sound, but having a lot of intimate moments as well. Nice arrangement, with a simple but memorable theme. I say this with admiration, having destroyed many musical attempts by trying for something "complex" but ending up with a muddled mess.

The intro is nice, but...

I'll interrupt myself to say I sure shouldn't be telling you what your song should sound like. I'll go sit in the "corner of shame" for a moment...

OK, back again, having learned nothing from my time-out. wink

The opening of songs is where I figure out where to set the volume knob, because everyone masters their songs to a different level. Perhaps having the brass initially come in at pp, and for the restatement a bit louder? Then again, it's brass, so I guess you should let brass be brass. There's really nothing the matter here, just a thought.

The sound of the horns holding chords against the melody? Lovely.

The strings on pizzicato? Also really nice. One of the few advantages of working in the digital world vs. live is being able to balance sections that aren't always well matched.

The entrance at 0:36 of... woodwinds? A bit harsh to my ears, but then, I don't really like the sound of the combined woodwinds, so it's a biased value judgement at best.

The piano sneaks in on the melody, and sounds a touch too bright to me.

At 1:36 there's a bend on the string instrument. So I'm wondering "Is that a koto?" and like a dog seeing a squirrel my attention is pulled away from the theme to the background instruments.

The strings come in at 1:38, and I'm immediately sad because they sound like a synth string patch instead of a group of strings. Unlike a real string section where the attacks are sort of staggered, this part feels like a keyboard is playing it. This is even more obvious when they get to state the theme by themselves a moment later. Perhaps mixing a first chair violin part in there could make it sound less MIDI-ish?

When I say "sad", it's not because I'm complaining about any lack of skill - you demonstrate that throughout the song - but a reminder that you don't have access to an orchestra willing to play this for you. cry

The guitar and piano section is especially nice, with a close-mike kind of sound that contrasts with the larger section.

The entrance of the horns at 3:10 is lovely, with the bells chiming on top. So nice. Harp flourish and held chord at the end - super!

Anyway, feel free to ignore any criticisms.

Loved it! laugh


Thanks so much David! You always give some very thought out and thorough comments. Much appreciated! I will let you out of your corner of shame. smile

First of all, as I mentioned above, this one was really thrown together, and I plan on revisiting it hopefully soon. We have been back and forth between our home in Canyon Lake and Houston (MD Anderson for treatments.) I tend to have more time to myself while here in Houston, as Rachel spends more time in the hospital where I am not allowed to be with her due to Covid. (I insist on being with her for all doctor visits, so I can stay on top of what she needs. So far they have let me be there with the doctor, even though it is against their rules.) When we are at home in Canyon Lake, my time is much more taken with the most important thing, and I am honored to take care of my wonderful wife.

Now, to your observations...

I agree, the brass should start off softer, but just ran out of time with my editing, and decided to forge ahead with the levels as they are for now (not a deal killer.)

The strings. This is the thing that I tend to spend the most time working with, being a violinist. Again, due to my schedule, they have not gotten as much attention as normally given. But the string sections on this one are more symphonic, as opposed to chamber, so they will have a more flowing sound, rather than hearing so much of the individual nuances of indifidual players. Still, I plan on spending a fair amount of time working on them. Unfortunately, my computer/interface and equipment is all in Canyon Lake so it may be awhile.

Woodwinds. I agree, woodwinds by nature are more harsh sounding, especially in contrast to the mellow brass sound. That was more or less what I was going for. Contrast. But I agree with you, I'm not as big a fan of synthesized woodwinds sections, as the harshness tends to be magnified in the samples. I usually overcome this by bringup of the flutes slightly, to mellow them out. Again, part of my plan to fix when home, and have the opportunity.

Piano. I will have to revisit the piano sound to see if it is too bright to me. It sounded okay to my rushed ears. smile

Again, I do appreciate your critiques. They are very thoughtful. And I really appreciate your prayers!

===


Steve

Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann