Requiem

[Simon Godden]

Hi. Some of you probably know that I'm presently trying to prepare my symphony on Finale, ready for dispatch. However, it can be a real brain fryer at times, so I often take the day off, like today (as it's the weekend) and compose. I've recently started a full Requiem Mass. I would like to know what you think of the first five minutes of it.

[Adrian Allan]

Sounds very good to me. Always like to see the PDF or the midi to find out what's going on, but I thought that it captured the mood very well. You've got so much better on the production side, although I'm over interested in that (leave it to the techies I say). My only criticisms are that about 2:00 I might have liked more counterpoint in the strings and around 3:50 I might have moved the quavers at the end of the bar in the brass (against the string arpeggios) to other instrument groups, but maybe the instrumentation is evolving.

[Edward Schaffer]

Haunting calm, controlled motion. Beautifully balanced. The piece seems to be constantly evolving, which only seems how it should be. I think we have another winning effort by Simon G.

[Nalinikanth Josyabhatla]

Hello Simon,

It is very good, eager to see it fully developed and completed. I felt that the Brass was sounding high towards the end. Could be a poblem with my headphones also...

[Deborah Young]

I like this, and I agree that your production is much better. It is very spare at this point but haunting. Not that I'm in a position to give you advice, but I'd just get it all down and wait until later to concern myself about adding more complexity (counterpoint, etc.) and embellishing.

[Simon Godden]

I've already taken Adrian's advice. I'll be posting it later.

Deborah Young said:

I like this, and I agree that your production is much better. It is very spare at this point but haunting. Not that I'm in a position to give you advice, but I'd just get it all down and wait until later to concern myself about adding more complexity (counterpoint, etc.) and embellishing.

[Chris Dargay]

Wow you really moved me. What software are you using ?

[Simon Godden]

Miroslav and Cubase.

Chris Dargay said:

Wow you really moved me. What software are you using ?

[Simon Godden]

Ok, Adrian! Take it away!

Adrian Allan said:

Sounds very good to me. Always like to see the PDF or the midi to find out what's going on, but I thought that it captured the mood very well. You've got so much better on the production side, although I'm over interested in that (leave it to the techies I say). My only criticisms are that about 2:00 I might have liked more counterpoint in the strings and around 3:50 I might have moved the quavers at the end of the bar in the brass (against the string arpeggios) to other instrument groups, but maybe the instrumentation is evolving.

[Andrew Gleibman]

Sounds really good. As for the production, everything (but strings) is really good and naturally sounding, especially the chorus.

[Adrian Allan]

Had a listen to what you've done and I'm flattered that you took my advice. I like the oboe addition to strings and the voices instead of the brass near the end. Your trademark percussive flourishes make an impact in all your pieces I see. Look forward to hearing the score. Maybe when you get to know Finale better you will start with the score and then export the midi to cubase at the end.

[Shad Young]

I think it is great. Well done.

Cheers
Shad

[Kristofer Emerig]

All in all, it's beautiful work Simon, with some signature Godden harmonic trajectories which are becoming recognizable to me as a cogent and unique style. Honestly, some of the percussion felt intrusive to me, but I'm not sure why. It might be that I don't like percussion in general, or the manner in which it is mixed or produced in this instance. Anyway, I don't want it to sound as though I don't like the work - I do, and the thoughts on the percussion are probably more concerned with my personal taste than your composition's merit.