Fortnightly Update #12
Welcome to the twelfth music update of the year
Continuing on from the last update, this one is going to touch on the topic of orchestration, using my draft progress so far. Have a listen to the progress below, and then compare it to the last update! (and then compare it to the war theme given the update before that)
You'll notice two additions: new passages of music at the beginning and end. These have been intentionally put in to make the piece longer and provide explicit cross reference to the war music. In fact, they both start with the exact same theme, but in a totally different feel!
Orchestration is one of the ways to convey mood. For example, using brass to create a heroic and elating fanfare. This piece is intended to be peace(ful) music, so I am aiming to keep the orchestration light. But also I want to capture the various phases of the Ottoman Empire and the surrounding areas - the rising and falling. What begins as a heroic call to battle in LoE (war) is here a sombre reflection on the region's turbulent past. I've opted straight for the classic slow and gentle strings arrangement. I think it invokes this retrospection and reflection well enough.
Next, I kept the harp and english horn from the mapping process, for its humble and intrepid tone. The bassoon that comes in a little later, along with supporting strings and brass - into a swell that suddenly cuts off - is intended to invoke the feeling of trial and growth. The deep piano note at the beginning of each section is a peaceful way of invoking the tension of the region, whilst the "Arabic" scales in the winds give cultural identify. Soft percussion add some wholeness to the root notes of the harmony.
This then all shifts to the strings, with and fragments of all (most) the LoE themes bounced around the brass. This is to give the sense of searching - which path do they want to take? The different instruments can all indicate different things. When the Ottomans finally find their place it comes together with a swell. But still there is no grand fanfare - this is peace music!
All of it is leading to the main theme at 1:22 on the english horn, with a gloomy oboe just before it - just how certain are they about this path? Was it a misfire? But even as they conquered and expanded, the Ottomans were very benevolent to the people they took in. Then, with the main theme from the war music I intend to keep it basic here, but with deep bass to reflect the new focus on war and expansion.
Where will it go next?
Enjoy!
- Utopia