I liked this a lot.

Just one quibble. At the beginning, the strings playing what I think are eighth notes don't quite match up with the background instruments. It was a little distracting.

In this case, I'd use the GB adjust button to match up the notes. Sometimes doing this robs a performance of the more live like touch, but in this case, I think it would help.

Well done.

[ Reply to This ]

Thank you! Yes, I hear it, too. There is a brief timing issue initially and I will try to find the specific notes. Thanks for the kind remarks!

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks for posting this. It's got a very expansive feel, a bit like Aaron
Copland's orchestral music. You have a good ear for colour. It
definitely works well as a soundtrack; it fits the story you tell in the
description perfectly.

I like all the modulations; all are handled very well. It begins in F and
moves up to A, but in a beautifully creative way, with temporary stops
on Bb, G, then E (= V of A) along the way. Well done.

As a concert piece I personally find it a bit too repetitive; it's basically
one theme repeated several times with lovely colour changes along the
way. These colour (orchestration) changes, however, are so skillfully
handled that the repetitiveness is not much of a problem, and really,
not a problem at all if it were used in a film.

It tells a story beautifully. Keep posting stuff!

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks so much for that close listen and review--I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you had to say! Thanks for all of your help on the forums as well!

[ Reply to This ]

i like the drum roll, it fits nicely. this piece seems well written. when it gets really soft near the end it seems to happen a bit abruptly maybe there's a way to slowly take out the other instruments so it doesnt seem so awkward? one think my drummer did when i had a band in a song was he slowly quieted the drum part so it sort of faded out to just the guitar, actually i think it faded in.. but that might work for this song. a lovely instrumental.

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks, screamalex! You have a great point. I'll try it!

[ Reply to This ]

This is beautiful - and when those drums came in - wow!

[ Reply to This ]

Thank you, elfdaughter. I am glad it made an impression. I'm really anxious
to play it for my Dad...accompanied by a slideshow of old photos of my
grandfather during his wartime days.

[ Reply to This ]

This was great, awsome in fact. I definitely agree with composerclark in that you have a good ear for color, some great sting arrangements here. I'm not going to add any criticism as it's all been addressed already. I'll just say that I'm delighted with this piece and hope to hear much more from you soon.

Thanks.

[ Reply to This ]

Hey basil! Thanks! Looking forward to listening to more of yours as well!

[ Reply to This ]

Amazing work! Love the crescendo it builds towards...wish my stuff was this good :-p A boy can dream though...

[ Reply to This ]

Amazing work! Love the crescendo it builds towards...wish my stuff was this good :-p A boy can dream though...

[ Reply to This ]

Hey Rick, this is absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing! So happy I came across this wonderful piece. You make great use of GB, I've heard so many people "try"... The musical ideas are solid, fresh and have a positive, reflective and even cheerful energy. The text you wrote goes perfectly well with the soundtrack you created. I overlooked the post when it came out, but I consider this to be a real achievement: beautifully conceived, fresh creative melodic ideas and the instrumentation sounds balanced and full. The ending is a little bit abrupt, I could imagine this to be much longer, so many ideas to build on. Really. Did you start from scratch? Or did a particular piece of music inspire you? Anyway, great job Rick!!

[ Reply to This ]

Wow, I am really honored for the listen and the commentary. I consider you to
be an exceptionally talented composer on this site and I'm really thrilled you
reacted as you did to this piece. The inspiration really came from trying to put
together combinations that would sound "military" and dignified. I really
wanted the piece to reflect my admiration for my grandfather. My father has
his folded US flag encased on a bookshelf along with my grandfather's
wartime picture and various service medals. I know it means a great deal to
my Dad, and I was trying to capture that moment as well. There's one tiny
section that was "borrowed"--the quiet interlude just before the key change
is reminiscent of the "Glory" soundtrack. Apart from that phrase, I just tried
to build to to an emotional release at the end. Thanks very much for your
thoughtful remarks!! I'm currently struggling with a piece right now that is
almost another movement to this piece, but I can't seem to find the time nor
the muse to really polish it. So I will leave it for awhile and come back later!
Take care and keep posting your work! It's incredibly engaging!

[ Reply to This ]

Rick you wear your heart on your sleeve and you sincerity comes straight
through the speakers. You aren't interested in dazzling us only in
bringing out what's in you heart. Really good theme. Memorable in fact.
Excellent orchestration. I look forward to your next post.


[ Reply to This ]

I am grateful for your post and for the time you took to listen. Thank you very
much for your kind words, Bowman.

[ Reply to This ]

Moving and elegant. You capture it. Wonderfully sweet and stirring track.

[ Reply to This ]

Thank you, sir. I hope it reflects the sense of admiration and affection I have for my family.

[ Reply to This ]

Good dose of powerful music here, nice melody, and sweet pacing, with nice builds and releases. One thing that bothered me was a strong "ring" in the low treble area with certain notes (some high french horns, and some clarinet notes) that would saturate and almost clip... it was very noticeable in headphones. But the orchestration and touches to make it sound live were really well done. And a very touching description, thank you for a great piece of music!
ttfn,
Drakonis

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks, drakonis. I really need a good pair of monitor headphones, because I don't have any at all. I would really like to study production techniques and improve the sound quality of my stuff. I'll listen for that ring and see if I can nail it with a new mix. Thanks for the listen!

[ Reply to This ]