MacJams.com - Song: 3 Pieces for Orchestra, #2 (Interlude) by composerclark

3 Pieces for Orchestra, #2 (Interlude)
by composerclark

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Submitted on: Jan 04, 2006 - 10:36:36 AM
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Keywords classical (387), orchestra (55), live (95), lorca (2), modern (10), strings (250), tombeau (1), memorial (6), requiem (8), ()

Description This has a subtitle: "La Muerte Me Está Mirando," which is a line taken from a Federico García Lorca poem called "Cordoba." The gist of the poem is the fatalist sense that no matter what the protagonist does, he knows he'll never reach his destination (Cordoba); he senses death will grab him before he gets there.

Pretty heavy stuff, I know, but it resonated with me, and I was looking to write something that expressed some of my own feelings about my mother, who died 28 years ago and had a hard time of it in life.

I thought she was beautiful, so hopefully some of that comes through in the music.

Performed by the Memorial University Chamber Orchestra, Nancy Dahn conducting, and this version is from the CD they recorded in 1995. The performers were students, including some who were still in high school.

The others pieces from this set are:
#1, Es Verdad, and
#3, El Niño Come Naranjas.
Each has a very different character.

All comments acknowledged and highly appreciated!

Lyrics (instrumental)

Hardware G4

Software: Mosaic (notation program by Mark of the Unicorn), Perfomer (but this is an edited live performance for a CD)

Fan List

rik

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drakonis said 1064 days ago

very nice!?
Wow, I really enjoyed this, despite the fact that it is a bit modern and
dissonant for my more traditional ear... normally I'm not at all a fan of
this kind of complex impressionistic style of music. First off, you say
"live performance" but don't give any more details, so I am assuming
this was a recording of a real performance of your score somewhere?
If true, then by itself, that is very exciting! It certainly sounded like real
instruments, and not the MOTU symphony synths. It was very well
recorded & performed by whoever did it (maybe you can edit the
description and add this info?) Secondly, very well written score, the
mood definitely gets across as tragically beautiful and longing... well
paced to draw out the emotion. Then the unexpected ending, the final
held breath, and descending exhale was chillingly effective. Bravo!
Faved!
ttfn,
Drakonis

composerclark said 1063 days ago

very nice!?
Thanks very much for you comments, Drakonis. They are much
appreciated!

You ask about the
performance, and yes, it's a real, live string orchestra (!). It's a
recording of my university string orchestra (Memorial University Chamber
Orchestra), so it's all students (some were high school students). As you
might expect, I was very happy with the performance/recording quality.

Any chance you could submit a vote? I feel silly asking, but no
one has voted
yet.

This is actually the second of three pieces for orchestra, called "Three Lorca
Sketches for Orchestra", in case anyone is interested in listening to the
others (clicking on the title should take you to my website).

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

drakonis said 1063 days ago

very nice!?
Ah, to have an orchestra at one's disposal to play their pieces... what a nice
opportunity! I come back and vote after listening and other people comment, as
I do not want to be coupled with the first comment-must-be-first-vote
thinking... and though I rarely vote on things these days, you asked so nicely, I
did :) Off to check your website, thanks!
-Drakonis

---
deja vu, it's the next best thing to being there

Tom Atwood said 1063 days ago

Wonderful
This is a dark, lovely piece, and an exquisite recording of a fine
performance. I would like some info on the recording itself. How many
mics? What format? Digital?

As for the piece itself, it is astonishing. Eduard (Drakonis) said he
doesn't normally enjoy this type of music? Well, I do, and this is
beautifully written. The ending is inspired. The sparse orchestration
and use of lower register strings gives this sad piece gravity, Beauty
grounded in despair.

I know you are disappointed that no one has voted, but sometimes that
goes slowly here, and don't worry, I will change it now.

10-10-10-10.

Welcome to MacJams!

composerclark said 1062 days ago

Wonderful
Tom,

     I am deeply appreciative of your kind and thoughtful comments. I've only
just now discovered your (and everyone else's) feedback, and all I can say is,
"wow!" It has sure made what has been a difficult day so far a heck of a lot
better. So thanks very, very much!

     Regarding your questions, I am embarrassed to admit that I don't know
that much about the recording details. It was recorded by a graduate of my
university's School of Music who went on to study sound engineering at
McGill University, and he obviously knew what he was doing. I don't know
what kind of mics he used, or how many, but I know that we normally record
everything with a pair of mics in (I think) XY configuration, about 10 feet in
front of the players, and maybe 10 feet above. But this might not be true for
this particular recording, so I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful. It was
recorded digitally, probably using ProTools.

     The student orchestra had performed this a few times before recording it,
and they had a great feel for the piece. We have some amazing musicians
here.

     Thanks again, and all the best!

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

rik said 1063 days ago

Beautiful
I cannot say by words what I feel for '900 music. It is our world, dead and
alive. I cannot tell my appreciation for this piece of yours. It is as I already
were acquainted to it, with all the pleasure of finding its warm passages,
as well its bitter ones.
You don't need any of my silly commentaries.
I need this music, I need to be moved by it when "My heart is cold / I
cannot weep", and I am grateful to you for sharing.

	Mystified said 1063 days ago
	beautiful ....but not the kind of thing you want to listen to when you are feeling sad! Really...I'm at a loss of what to say other than this is tremendous. (now, off to find something 'happy' to listen to...!)

composerclark said 1061 days ago

beautiful
Thanks! An interesting forum thread would be, "what do you like to listen to
when you're sad?" For me, this kind of music (i.e., the Interlude) can be cathartic
when I'm down, and I don't exactly know why. Maybe because it seems to give
some kind of musical voice to the feeling of grief, as if to say it's okay to feel
what you're feeling. Or maybe that's crazy talk! Anyway, for me, there is a
sense of hope in the music too, which probably seems strange, but that's how I
respond. Thanks so much for your comment!

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	rik said 1061 days ago
	beautiful I adhere totally to this approach in general, to the point of feeling Fauré's requiem a music I'd hear with deep inner joy at my own wedding ceremony. Moreover I have the same feeling you've described regarding this piece. So if you're crazy, I'm as well... something I'm trying to achieve since the age of 6 :D

	notsosweet said 1063 days ago
	Gorgeous This is truly stunningly beautiful. You have a great talent not only for scoring, but for composing with such emotion. Thank you for sharing it with us!

	J.A.Stewart said 1063 days ago
	How Lovely... that you can express these emotions about your Mom in such a magnificent way. Dark and lovely, this piece is both interesting and inventive. Kudos also to your student orchestra, who performed so well.

composerclark said 1061 days ago

How Lovely...
Um, thanks again! I feel like Sally Field at the Academy Awards! (Don't
worry; no gushing speech will be forthcoming...)

Yes, it was about my mom, but it was also about other things. This started
out as a shorter piece for string quartet, but I revised it (into the version here) a
few years later when I was going through an absolutely terrible time (divorce,
and a whole lot more!), so probably some of that pain comes through too.

Or maybe I'm just projecting my memory of those feelings onto the music
(?).
Anyway, thanks again!

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	Tadashi Togawa said 1063 days ago
	Emotion and feelings The composition of the sound is what. It is indescribable. Expression of complex mental situation. A deep spirit is a deep intellect. Music is an intellect. This harmony. This discord. My brain is developed by this sound. It is taught that the person is a living thing where it lives with the brain.

	Denny Borsboom said 1063 days ago
	There is beauty in sadness Beautiful composition, very well played, and brilliantly recorded.

	Emily Rohm said 1063 days ago
	A real string section!! Real strings! And live ones for that matter! It's so wonderful to hear real strings on this site. This piece is suspensful, haunting, heartbreaking, but with much beauty. I love your Lorca inspiration along with the tribute to your mother. It is very moving and certainly well-performed. Thanks for posting this.

	ziti said 1063 days ago
	holy camoley this is truly a remarkable heart-grabbing inspiration! BRAVO!!!!!! A fantastic composition, pristene recording, and inspired peformance. The orchestra wailed for you!!! Just FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so much for joining us here at MJs...and I can't wait to hear what's next!!!! in the iPod, thanks....right before Spike Jones! deepest bows!!!! z

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	holy camoley Ziti, your enthusiasm is wonderful. Anyone who is a fan of Spike Jones is okay in my book! Thanks! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	perceptualvortex said 1059 days ago
	holy camoley I'm glad I'm not the only one still listening to Spike Jones. Ha! --- <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16698">Fists of Righteous Harmony</a>

	ziti said 1063 days ago
	after my third listen....damn this is some GREAT music!!!!!!!!

	ziti said 1063 days ago
	.... ....whew!!!!!!!!

Cameron said 1062 days ago

'pretty heavy stuff', indeed
You definitely achieved your goal of expressing your sad feelings about your mother, as well as portraying the hopelessness of the protagonist in Garcia Lorca's poem "Cordoba" in this piece.

This work, extremely well-conceived, performed and recorded, is reminiscent of Barber's "Adagio for Strings". It also echoes the melancholic atmosphere of Mahler's "Adagietto" movement from his Fifth Symphony.

The sustained layers of the strings set a contemplative, grieving mood, and the dissonance tears at the soul.

The pizzicati in the middle of this piece pluck at the strings of the heart.

The trills and descending slides add a great deal of color to the more sustained textures throughout this composition. The last slide is very effective.

You should be very proud of this piece, as well as the wonderful performance and good recording quality. How fortunate for you (and all of us) that you have a live symphony orchestra at your disposal!

composerclark said 1062 days ago

'pretty heavy stuff', indeed
This is a collective thank you to everyone for your generous and heartfelt
comments. As I commented to Tom above, I was oblivious to everything but
the first comment until tonight, when, after a fairly discouraging day, I
thought I'd visit MacJams to see what was going on. You're all very kind, and
every comment is obviously sincere, as is my deep appreciation for them.

Cameron, you express your thoughts very poetically; I will just add that the
solo violin pizzicatti and trills in the middle section, to which you refer, have
a programmatic significance. In my mind, they represented the somewhat
desperate attempts by the protagonist to break free of a fate that seems to
have been preordained. These solositic bursts are eventually is absorbed by
the rest of the strings (absorbed by the "collective," if you don't mind a Star
Trek reference!), as they all continue on their inexorable journey to
nothingness.

As heavy as that is (and I loved that someone is going to stick Spike Jones
after this piece on their iPod!), I will repeat that this is actually the second of a
group of three pieces for orchestra (there is a hot-link to it in the response I
made to the first comment by Drakonis, above), and the first is ridiculously
silly, at least in comparison to this one. The last one is kind of weird; it
changes mood a lot, but has lots of bouncy, "up" sections. So it's not all
doom and gloom! I also uploaded some jazz instrumental pieces to this site
last week that are completely diffferent, if anyone wants to check them out.

Cheers, and thanks again.

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	jhenny said 1062 days ago
	I Don't Like My Sampler Any More You have proven that no matter how good the samples or the programming...you can't touch the real thing. The performance is beautiful and passionate. Bravo!!!

	Scorpjammer said 1062 days ago
	Beautiful, Indeed And sublime. As still as the ocean in your picture and so emotionally moving. Thanks so much for sharing.

	futzpucker said 1062 days ago
	Transforming Skilled, profound, moving, excruciatingly beautiful... What is significant here is the combination of the studying that you've done and the heart you brought to this piece. The result is undeniably magnificent. Congratulations on this triumph. Thank you for the gift.

composerclark said 1061 days ago

Transforming
Thanks so much, Patrick. Your "A differrent View" was one of the first
compositions I heard on this site, and, as I commented so inarticulately, I
really liked it.

Your mention of my studies is interesting... It's true that I spent many, many
years studying music, but the only real process I am aware of when
composing is instinctual, much like most people, I suspect.

Your words (and those of everyone else who has commented) are kind and
inspiring, so thanks, and I promise, over time (because my life is pretty hectic
right now) to listen to music by everyone who has commented. This site is
still very new to me; it seems there are many talented and articulate people
out there, which is wonderful.

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

Cori Ander said 1062 days ago

So much love and beauty
So much love and beauty! Thanks a lot for posting! This is one of the
most attractive pieces I will have in my large iTunes collection of music
from now on.

This will be a worthy piece to start the day with. And to end the day with.
If I wanted to play something for a new born baby this would qualify, or
for a very old person, or someone in grief, or someone in doubt, or
someone overloaded by stress. Or for myself. Anytime. Thanks a lot!

Einarus said 1062 days ago

Gorgeous...
For as long as I can remember I've been hearing modern classic music
like this, as my dad is a composer himself, so this piece is really right
up my alley.

And what a great piece it is.

You really manage to express your feelings in your music, not
something everybody can do.

But frankly, I'm lost for words.

The mood, the performance, the composing, the quality of the
recording - it's amazing, all of it.

A standing ovation from me!
Gorgeous.

	kristyjo said 1061 days ago
	Wonderful! It's really great to hear live strings. This piece had its 'modern' moments, but in other ways it was wonderfully 'romantic', too. I don't think I can add much to the other comments made here, other than to say I've downloaded it and faved it.

composerclark said 1061 days ago

Wonderful!
I agree that it's essentially a romantic piece, in that my aim was to be as
expressive as possible, in the way that only music can do. There are definitely
elements that make this a composition of our time, but really, when compared
to most modernist music (Boulez, Stockhausen, etc.; all of whom I respect and
admire), this piece is pretty reactionary. But one of the neat things about being
a contemporary composer nowadays is that there is such a huge range of
stylistic variety that is available, and one need not feel pressured to conform to
any particular school or style of composing. Much appreciated!

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

The Composer said 1061 days ago

title
This piece reminds me very much of some of Nigel Westlakes (Aus) and
Vasks' (Latvian, can't remember the first name) string pieces. There's
that fantastic blend of contempoary harmonies that isn't tied to being
strictly tonal but also doesn't feel the need to do everything in a 12
tone row... making this piece very accessible while not being old
fashioned.

The piece drifts along in a melancolic, almost lethargic way which is
fantastic and I really enjoy the variations in timbre along the way too. I
appreciate the score writting too, particulary since writing for strings is
not something I've done much (yet) or have had much success with...
rhythm and computer music being more of my forte.

composerclark said 1061 days ago

title
One of the great things about reading these comments is that I am
discovering some very fine composers. I did not know Peteris Vasks' music,
but I have just now read about him and visited iTunes to download some of
his string music, which, from the samples I heard, is very beautiful. So
thanks for this!

You mention a 12-tone row, and, believe it or not, this piece actually began
life as a 12-tone piece. It was extensively revised at one point, and I have no
idea how much of the original note rows are traceable in the music, but I
suspect that very little (if any) of the serialism remains.

Composing with 12-note rows can produce good music, and it is certainly a
useful pedagogical exercise, but even Boulez abandoned this method many
years ago (by the mid 'fifties); I'd have to dig around to find an exact quote,
but I think he said he found them too restricting. Which is mostly true for me
as well.

A very thoughtful comment, so thanks!

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

dreadmon said 1061 days ago

This is unique and inspired
Elements of Samuel Barber, Holst and John Williams, emerging from an earth-toned pool of conflict as your own instrumental phoenix. The pizzicato towards the middle came as the twig that snaps to announce that I wasn't alone in this forest. I couldn't hear the players, I couldn't see you labor over each note and every chord. I was lost in the strains of this luxurious and forboding give and take, feeling a warmth upon my face that might've been sun, or flame or tears.

Quite simply the most breathtaking experience that I've ever had here at MacJams. Bravo!

10-10-10-10 d/l

	Audiologic said 1061 days ago
	Wow. Well if you have a real orchestra doing your stuff, then congrats. I like it. And as stated, yes the recording is absolutely superb. Ben

	cjhoose said 1061 days ago
	holy... ... wow. Dark and beautiful. Yes indeed. When I grow up can I learn to compose like you? I'm assuming that's a real orchestra... it is, isn't it? When was it recorded? where? by whom?

composerclark said 1061 days ago

holy...
Thanks! Yes, it's a real string orchestra; it's the "Memorial University
Chamber Orchestra," which is a student ensemble where I teach, and, when
this was recorded (about ten years ago, I think), we had a number of high
school students in the orchestra, which makes the warm, polished sound they
got all the more amazing. It's been played by professional orchestras, but
this is the only recording and the best performance.

This is the second of my "Three Lorca Sketches for Orchestra", which
you can check out if you want to hear the other movements.

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	jonx said 1060 days ago
	great stuff this is a beautiful piece-an excellent recording and performance and it packs a lot of emotionality. you're a fine composer and i'm going to check outyour site, i think the sound and style of this wouldn't be out of place on kronos quartets' "black angels" or rachels' "handwriting" lp. excellent work- keep on!

	alley-oop said 1060 days ago
	Mahler My dad is a 'Mahler-head' and always played his pieces. You have captured an exceptional mood reminicent of his genius. Very sad feel. But such beauty as well. Bravo

composerclark said 1059 days ago

Mahler
Well, Mahler was one of the all-time greats, with an amazing ear for colour
/orchesration, so this too is a very flattering comment. One of the
interesting things about Mahler, if I remember my history correctly, is that he
made his living as a conductor, and only found time to compose in the
summers. For those of us trying to balance work, family, and a little time for
composing, the fact that he managed to acheive the greatness he did without
being a full-time composer is inspiring. The lesson for me is, make music
when you can, make it as good as you can, and then just let the chips fall
where they may.

Thanks for you comment. You're an amazing guitar player, by the way!

I just uploaded another composition, by the way: "Last Dance".

---
Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1059 days ago
	Mahler (hmm, I seem to be putting in far too much space between paragraphs; sorry about that! It doesn't show up when I preview these comments, so I'm not quite sure what it's all about.) --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

perceptualvortex said 1059 days ago

Lovely
emotional resonance. Nice to hear a real orchestra on here for a change; I've been hearing so many software instruments emulating them that the...er, "realness" really stands out here. I mostly listen to groove oriented music, so classical music is I guess extra meditative to me. And this does that really well, slowing down my brainwaves and taking me to a serene and moody place. Very enjoyable, thanks for sharing!

composerclark said 1058 days ago

Lovely
     Thanks for the comments; much appreciated!

     My music is virtually always played for "classical music" or "contemporary
music" audiences, and the main reason I joined MacJams was to see if people
who normally listen to other kinds of music could relate to it or not.
Having someone who normally listens to groove-oriented music say they like
this piece means a lot. I'll make sure I check out some of your
music.

     SHAMELESS PLUG(!): Please consider checking out some of my other
music; for some reason, my Interlude has been getting lots of votes,
but my other submissions aren't getting many at all. Luck of the draw,
maybe?

--- +

---
Last upload: "Last Dance."

Visit my website for lots more music and fre

composerclark said 1058 days ago

Lovely
     Thanks for the comments; much appreciated!

     My music is virtually always played for "classical music" or "contemporary
music" audiences, and the main reason I joined MacJams was to see if people
who normally listen to other kinds of music could relate to it or not.
Having someone who normally listens to groove-oriented music say they like
this piece means a lot. I'll make sure I check out some of your
music.

     SHAMELESS PLUG(!): Please consider checking out some of my other
music; for some reason, my Interlude has been getting lots of votes,
but my other submissions aren't getting many at all. Luck of the draw,
maybe?

---
Last upload: "Last Dance." Visit my website for lots more free music.

	TobinMueller said 1058 days ago
	Memories that nourish The combination of delicate playing, haunting harmonies, unresolved phrasing and melodic discovery blend very well, poetically. The poem reminds me of one of my favorite lines: Living is like the building of a harbor long after the ship as left. Or the energy of a Camus hero who still creates beauty in the face of hopelessness. Such nice spaces.

composerclark said 1058 days ago

Memories that nourish
Thanks, Tobin. By coincidence, I just discovered some of your fine music
today, and both my wife and I have been enjoying it.

I particularly like the second of your two lines: "Living is like… the energy of
a Camus hero who still creates beauty in the face of hopelessness." It has
particular resonance for me. As I mentioned a few comments ago, this wasn't
just "about" the death of a parent; I was going through some pretty lean years
when I wrote it, and possibly some of this comes out in the music.

Where are those lines from?

Thanks again. Very thoughtful comment.

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

	smeager said 1058 days ago
	dark and calming I could close my eyes and see the Orchestra play. The recording is outstanding. You should and must be very proud. Bravo.

	screamalexz said 1057 days ago
	nice i like sounds added about half way through. it gives it a little more. i like how it fades out. a nice calm mellow piece.

Parichayaka said 1057 days ago

Power of live music
I am always fascinated by the vast difference between live recorded music and computer generated music. I quite enjoyed listening to this piece. Especially the balance between dissonance and harmony. The quality of the recording is surprisingly balanced and blends the various instruments hamoniously (not an easy task for whoever has tried)! I read that all the musicians were students. Impressive! I am hoping to hear more from this artist! I appreciate music that swerves off the most travelled road and ends up with new sounds and ideas. Though the theme-sadness and grief-is rather dark, I can defenitely imagine that the composer is capable of expressing a variety of emotions. I will browse and look for more compositions by this artist now. Good work!

composerclark said 1056 days ago

Power of live music
Thanks for your thoughtful and complimentary comments. Yeah, there is
something that good live players (as opposed to bad dead ones) bring to the
mix that seems unlikely ever to be equalled by computers and samplers, but
what do I know? Maybe when I'm an old geezer (heading that way now, I
think) they'll have found a way to convince me that technology can match
human performance. I don't know the details about the recording, except
that the guy who produced and edited it really knew what he was doing.
Thanks again. If you get a chance, feel free to comment on any of my other
submissions. I just joined a couple of weeks ago.

Cheers,

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

cliver1 said 1057 days ago

howdy Part-ner
Moving piece that reminded me somewhat of Arvo Part's spiritual music. He is quite religious and this comes across here too. I would like to know if similar beliefs play into your compositional process. The only thing that bothered me slightly were the glissandi (esp the almost inaudible one at the end) - introduces a "Penderecki-ish" element that is out of place. But this is a minor quibble. I will check out your website for more.

composerclark said 1056 days ago

howdy Part-ner
Welcome to MJs. A punster, eh? :-)

I appreciate the association of this music with Arvo Pärt's, as I enjoy his
music, but for me a significant difference is that he is a minimalist (a "static"
minimalist, as opposed to Reich who is a "pulsed" minimalist), and I
personally wouldn't classify this in the same way, although it does have a
similar feeling of calm resignment. But it's a nice compiment, and I thank you
for it.

Another term for Pärt's music is "sacred minimalism" (also used for Gorecki
and John Tavener), and, although one of my jobs for many years was directing
church music, I grew disenchanted with organized religion and so there is no
conscious attempt to fuse anything sacred into this piece. However, I look on
life as being filled with mystery and mystical experiences, so possibly this
works its way into my music.

My rationale for the glissandi is that they are an affective device, which if
overused can diminish their effectiveness as such, but, as far as I can recall,
there are only two in this piece, and the last one has a particular
programmatic significance. In fact, it is this last one, a "dying" or fading out
gesture, that people often single out as something they found particularly
striking about the piece. Nevertheless, I appreciate and welcome the
thougtfullness of your opinion, and welcome any others you may have about
anything else I have written.

Cheers!

---
Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

	SpasmodicMan said 1052 days ago
	Ironed out the spasms Really liked the gliss at the end. Could have used more 20th century weirdness like that, the potential was biting at the edges. Kind of static for me, like a preluding piece for something more. Very quiet. Well done mood piece. You ironed out all the spasms, and I'd rather hear them.

composerclark said 1051 days ago

Ironed out the spasms
Thanks very much for your comments, Bent.

I'm not sure if you had a chance to read the description, but the Interlude,
subtitled "La Muerte me está Mirando," is static because I was trying to
represent a character in a Lorca poem who is on a lonely journey to Córdoba
at night, but he will never get there. The sense I got was that he was on a
treadmill, and no matter what efforts (or "spasms" if you prefer!) he made to
break away from his fate, there was no way that he could succeed in avoiding
the inevitable.

Hence the static texture for most of it, interrupted only in the middle section
when the first violin tries to be independent from the others (some angular
pizz lines and other somewhat frantic licks).

Maybe if I were to rethink this (it would have to be for a different piece), I
would certainly consider more "20th c. weirdness" for the middle section, the
section that is supposed to represent a futile attempt to break free from the
shackles of fate! Thanks so much for getting me to rethink this!

Clark

---
Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17091">Julia's Prelude</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

Corporal Beef said 1046 days ago

As Promised...
To cut to the chase, this is a great piece. It gently grips you, then lets you go. Tension, resolution, tension-repeat. I enjoyed the fact that this piece allowed me to feel my own feelings; it did not dictate or force an emotion. It was very flowing and natural. The ending fit well with the premise of the piece. The pruction and mix were definitely above average, and the songwriting was excellent. Thank you very much for posting this.

	said 1042 days ago
	I hadn't had a chance... ...to listen to this before. I stumbled upon it today by accident. I am glad I did! I aspire to someday be able to compose like this... and wish to have my orchestral compositions played by a real orchestra. This is a truly amazing composition and performance! My God, this is a fine piece of work. Thanks for posting this here. Sincerely, Alimar

composerclark said 1035 days ago

I hadn't had a chance...
Thanks Alimar. I'm deeply touched by the fact that so many people here have
enjoyed and been moved by this piece. I've been trying to reciprocate by
listening to music by everyone who has left a comment, and by leaving one or
more comments in return. But I'm also in the process of taking a bit of a
hiatus from this site (long, boring explanation on my profile page, in case
anyone is interested), so it'll probably take a while before I get a chance to
get to everyone. I've been enjoying some of your music as well; you are very
talented. I hope you keep submitting your songs.

All the best,
Clark

	screaming.org said 1032 days ago
	... I wanted my comment to be brief on this one: this piece is moving in much the same way Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings is. Execept this hasn't been played to death. I didn't mean "moving" lightly, by the way.

composerclark said 1024 days ago

...
Barber's "Adagio" is a deeply moving piece, and yes, it certainly is played a
lot, but that's the nature of "hits" in music; they come at the expense of a lot
of other pieces that might arguably be just as good, or pretty darn close.
Most people who put together concert or CD programmes find it a lot easier
to programme hits than it is to seek out new, undiscovered "pearls" and bring
them to to light.

As to whether my string orchestra piece is even in the same league as the
Barber or not, I certainly don't know. All I know is that when I was finished
and I heard it for the first time, I liked it, and found it moving, and, since
that's basically what I'm going for whenever I write a piece, I was content.

I thank you for your thoughtful comment, and I appreciate the comparison to
Barber's Adagio. For what it's worth, the conductor of the first performance,
and a few others, have also made that comparison.

All the best!

	lucas said 1017 days ago
	Quite enjoyable I just registered here and what luck! The first piece I listened to was yours. I really enjoyed it.

	leonardo21 said 1012 days ago
	Don't understand it Don't really understand this kind of music, but it sounds pretty nice, I guess. I think you really could use some drums and such.

Warren Smith said 974 days ago

soooo emotional
I love that place where the violins suddenly zoom upward in pitch (maybe there is a technical term for the passage) - it is such an emotional moment! Also, those sudden abrupt pluckings that interrupt the sad, slow current of sound. They could mean a number of different things, but given the context outlined above, I can't help but think they represent a struggle against a dark impending fate. Still, I recognize there's no need to get overly analytical with an interpretation.

What fascinates me in this piece, and in other "classical" pieces as well, is the long, drawn out quiet notes, which you just don't get in rhythmic-based music (which is what I write). They are soooo emotional.

composerclark said 974 days ago

soooo emotional
Thanks for the thoughtful and obviously heartfelt comment. It means a lot
to me. The "technical" word for the technique of sliding up or down from one
note to another is "glissando," which is Italian for "sliding," but
sounds fancier, so that's the term generally used. If you want the players to
do this, draw a straight line between the starting pitch (low note, in this case)
and the ending pitch (high note), and the abbreviation "gliss." over
the line.

I'm glad you reacted to the piece emotionally. It's how I
react to music too, and it's definitely the kind of reaction I was going for
when I wrote it. The ascending gliss. that you refer to always sounds
like some large, lumbering - yet - noble creature trying to give voice to a
profound emotion, but struggling. Crazy, I know. Actually, I just re-read
your comment, and your interpretation pretty much nailed it ("represent a
struggle against a dark impending fate"). That's great!

You wrote:
"What fascinates me in this piece, and in other "classical" pieces as well, is the
long, drawn out quiet notes, which you just don't get in rhythmic-based
music (which is what I write)."

Yeah, rhythm is generally treated
differently in classical music than in other music, although some classical
music is profoundly and overtly rhythmic (a famous example being the
"Dance of the adolescents" from Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring"). My piece
isn't overtly rhythmic, to be sure, but I always feel a rhthmic pulse running
through it in a subtle way.

Anyway, it's a thrill that you found this
piece, listened to it, and left a nice comment, in part because once the first
week after a song's submission passes, the song only rarely gets any
feedback.

Cheers,

Clark

---
Jennifer's Tune

Scott Carmichael said 944 days ago

Contrast
Much of what we listen to at MJ, is computer generated... and I love
this technology, it certainly is a great tool... but I'm struck by the
dynamic differences there are between synthetic and live played... I
think everyone who make the synth stuff should get their ears into this,
for a reference...

but on another note... i know the nuts and bolts of recording the pop
genre stuff, How do you go about capturng this... mikes, preamps,
techniques... I wouldn't know where to start

composerclark said 943 days ago

Contrast
There are orchestra sound banks nowadays that are of phenominally high
quality, and I'm intrigued by them; probably I'll pick the best one I can afford
and start learning how to use it this summer. But, as you say, a live
performance is just so rich dynamically and coloristically, and it is really,
really difficult to simulate this believably with computer samples.

As great as it was to have my school chamber orchestra play this, it was a
luxury that was never repeated; they recorded this in 1995, I think, and never
played it again. It has been played a few times by some other groups
(including a couple of professional orchestras, who didn't sound as good as
this), though. It's my own fault; I have never been very good at self-
promotion.

I don't know much about recording a classical orchestra either, except bits
and pieces that I've read here and there over the years. The main thing you
want is to capture the sound and balance that the musicians themselves are
producing, so there is no overdubbing or balancing to be done (for the most
part). Having the right mikes is a key, and positioning them is the other key
(but that's true for any kind of music, I guess).

I had nothing to do with the recording, except I sat in the control booth while
it was being recorded and commented on the relative merits of different
takes. We had a very good recording engineer do it for us.

Thanks for the visit and comment, Scott; I really appreciate it!

---
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20446">12-Tone Blues</a>

	Morris R said 915 days ago
	Moving Well, I just wrote that your 'last dance' was the highlight of all the pieces I've heard here so far, but now I think maybe this is. It's unbelievably powerful, and made me think of my late wife, and a few others I've lost along the way. It makes me very sad, but it wouldn't if it weren't so beautiful.

composerclark said 909 days ago

Moving
Thank you, Morris. You express yourself poetically.

If I had to pick my favorite of all my compositions, it might be this one. It is not
impressive in a "showy" kind of way, it just expresses something sad and deep,
and makes me think of my mom (and others who have touched my life but are
no longer around). Thanks again for the comment, and I'd encourage you to
submit something here, if you feel so-inclined.

---
New (19 May): <a style="color:blue;font-size:11px;" href="http://www.macjams.com/song/20990">#3 from "Three Lorca Sketches for Orchestra"</a>

	scratch_harris said 894 days ago
	CC'd again your first chord sounded so close to the first chord of my new piece i nearly snorted up my Guinness! It moved so effortlessy and when you hit the glissando I was all smiles. Have you heard "Spirit of Eden" by Talk Talk? Not as a comparison, just occurred to me you may like it. On to number 3!

composerclark said 890 days ago

CC'd again
Hi Jon, sorry for the late response, but I am EXTREMELY appreciative of your
comments, and the fact that you took the time to listen to all three of these
orchestra pieces, and leave interesting comments.

I have not heard "Spirit of Eden" by Talk Talk... I don't believe I've ever even
heard anything by Talk Talk, so I just went to iTunes to try to find "Spirit...",
but it appears not to be there. Nevertheless, I will try some other sources,
because I'm always happy to discover new (to me) songs and bands.

I've also been enjoying your music, and am impressed by, among other
things, the variety of genres in which you write!

Cheers,
CC

---
Visit <a style="color:blue;font-size:11px;" href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free MP3s and scores.

	said 236 days ago
	I'm the 175 downloader! This piece left me speechless, so so sad and the instruments used are great. Everything here sounds fine.... This is true Classical masterpiece. KUDOS! Thanks a lot for sharing..... Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

	composerclark said 1062 days ago
	Beautiful Thank you, Rik. Your "Small Piano Pieces" were some of the first music I heard on this site, and, as I commented, I thought they were really wonderful. In fact, they were so good that I thought, "this guy must be a professional composer," so I value anything you have to say. Keep making music! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	Gorgeous Thanks. I kind of feel like I just got lucky with this one. Even though I call myself a composer, it is often painfully difficult to come up with something that is any good. But sometimes, something good just flows out naturally, and if I knew how that worked, well, maybe people would have heard of me by now! Cheers. --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	Emotion and feelings Thank you very much, Tadashi! As always, your comments are both very thoughtful and kind. Best wishes to you! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	There is beauty in sadness Thanks, Denny. Much appreciated. --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	A real string section!! Thanks, Emily. I just listened to some of your music, and you have a beautiful voice. Cheers! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	Beautiful, Indeed ... and thank you in turn for your kindness! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	So much love and beauty You are obviously a very generous person; thank you! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	Gorgeous... Thanks! Does your dad have a website where we can check out his music? And you're right; the performance and recording quality are both excellent, so I'm thrilled with it. --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1061 days ago
	This is unique and inspired You are a poet. I love your imagery, and admire your courage to be so open. Thanks! --- Visit http://www.clarkross.ca for lots more music and scores

	composerclark said 1058 days ago
	dark and calming Thanks for the comment, and welcome to MJs! --- Last upload: "<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/16907">Last Dance</a>." Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more free music.

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	composerclark said 1046 days ago
	As Promised... Thanks, 3-star corporal! I'm glad you liked it, and I appreciate your taking the time to listen and comment. Cheers, Clark --- Last upload: <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/17301">Late-Night Music</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.clarkross.ca">my website</a> for lots more music.

	composerclark said 1017 days ago
	Quite enjoyable Glad you liked it! I look forward to hearing your music.

	composerclark said 1011 days ago
	Don't understand it All right! I'll get right on it! Welcome to MJ's, and thanks for the comment! --- <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/18317">Jennifer's Tune</a>

	composerclark said 235 days ago
	Thanks Yeman A. Al-Rawi, your enthusiasm is very moving; thanks very, very much for your support! There should be some sort of prize here at MacJams for people who leave comments for pieces that have had no comments for a long time; it's been almost 2 years since the last comment (I think)! Anyway, thanks very much!