Against All Odds

[Saul Gefen]

Against All Odds for Piano and Strings

Sometimes things seem unattainable and hopeless but then within the difficulty a ray of hope emerges that will change everything for the better. We just have to want to see it.

Regards,

Saul

[roger stancill]

Hi Saul, I'm sure you are looking for some feedback. Hey it's the Holiday season and folks are busy.

I listened to this, and for what it's worth, here is my amateur 2 cents. lol    To me and my ear, this being a 'mood'

piece, it has to have both a linear appeal and a conceptual appeal. This piece has some very good phrasing but seems to be a string of 'parts', somewhat fragmented and stung together, with a title - yet without the full conceptual continuity of, oh how can I say it... 'Zen' (maybe). So, in other words, I hear much potential and promise in the linear procession, but it doesn't add up to a transcendent moment to me. Such is the language of music. :>} 

ps - no doubt this probably seems like a 'word salad' to you, but I merely offer it as food for thought.    Happy Harmonies

[Saul Gefen]

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your comments.

Basically you're suggesting that the 'one line' is missing from the piece. Well, I respect you opinion, but I disagree.

Best Regards

Saul

[Ingo Lee]

Hey Saul, this is a very pretty, calm and soothing piece.  It would work well as a sound track or underscore for any number of applications but I don't feel it can stand alone, for me at least.

One thing that would make this more of a feature type piece, if that is even what you are aiming for, would be to give the strings more of an active role. Right now they seem to follow the piano exclusively, and they do complement the piano well, but they become tiresome after several minutes of that same function, and that blunts the impact of some well written piano lines.  You could even drop the strings entirely and give the piano some more dynamics and tempo variations and for me at least this piece would be more attractive. Nice sound though.

[Saul Gefen]

Hi Ingo,

Thank you for your kind comments, highly appreciated. Will consider your criticism.

Regards,

Saul

[Jan-Frederik Carl]

Hi Saul,

it is beautiful. I think the strings and the piano harmonize well together. 

Kind regards,

Jan

[Saul Gefen]

Thank You Jan!

[Timothy Smith]

Very nicely done. Even though this was referred to as mood music, the piano part has some interesting complexity and would stand well on it's own. The only difference between something with a more classical bent would be a counter or accompanying part using a more traditional construct. The long strings give that mood hue which is fine either way.

Nice piano sound by the way, do you mind sharing what it is? Thanks.

[Saul Gefen]

Thanks Tim,

I recall that I Whatsupped you a section of this piece when I first composed it. I remember that you liked it very much.

It was a video and the piano there was my Yamaha CLP-695-GP but I have sold it since and got a new piano a baby grand acoustic. Though I don't like the acoustic grand as well, because its too bright. I'm thinking of selling it and getting something else. The Baby Grand acoustic by Baldwin I got it as a gift, and it wouldn't have been my first choice, but I still have the option to sell it and buy something that I truly like.

Glad you liked it,

Best Wishes,

Saul

Timothy Smith said:

Very nicely done. Even though this was referred to as mood music, the piano part has some interesting complexity and would stand well on it's own. The only difference between something with a more classical bent would be a counter or accompanying part using a more traditional construct. The long strings give that mood hue which is fine either way.

Nice piano sound by the way, do you mind sharing what it is? Thanks.

[Saul Gefen]

Thank You Michael. Yes you're right I intend it to be a soft accent to the piano music. 

Best of Wishes