[Music] Ops Via: The Journey (Symphony #1)

So, yeah, here it is. Hot off the presses, so to speak. My first symphony,

Ops Via: The Journey

Originally for our teams game back in the guild wars, I decided to take the 5 or 6 smaller pieces I was writing for the final scene and combine it all into one fully realized idea.

I'm entering this into a competition that's held every year with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. I'm the only non-grad student entering. They pick three winners, and give them each 20 minutes with the orchestra for a quick rehearsal and then a sight reading. But it's the freakin' PSO! They don't need to rehearse, so really they just give you an immediate sight reading. And probably a recording of it. And maybe a grant, I'm not sure. And know what else? John Adams is conducting. John freakin' Adams! You probably don't know who he is, but he's a fantastic composer from Pittsburgh. Big fish in a relatively small pond, but it's still pretty awesome.

Could I win? Who knows. To be honest, I don't think I will. Which isn't to say I don't like this work, I think it's the best damn thing I've ever written. I just don't think my score will stand up to more experienced writers. They take a lot into consideration, not just the music but how it's notated and how well you know how to write and orchestrate for an ensemble that large. I have very little experience with orchestra writing, so I'm sure they'll find plenty of flaws in my score. So if I don't win, big deal. At least I finished it, and if it's not played in this competition, it'll be played next semester by my peers here at the school.

Movements:
I.1. To the Heavens...
I.2. Cut through the stars!
I.3. The shine within reach
II.1. Though the way is shut...
II.2. A glimmer in the distance
III.1. Obliterate shadow and light
III.2. Soaring through oblivion

Anyway, here's the links. Hope you enjoy it.

Finale 2009 file. (Out Dated)
TabIt file.
Mp3 File [UPDATED]

The UPDATED mp3 file was made with MOTU and East West Instruments. Expensive, high end stuff.
Turned out okay, lol.
PDF version of score. (Out Dated)

I'll update this thread with a (real) recording if and when it happens. I hope you enjoy.


P.S. The subtitle was not my idea. It was my comp teacher's idea. I think it's dumb, but she thought it would be clever to put something video-game related in the subtitle to provoke interest.


edit: Also, update on the contest: No word. Lol, I lost. Oh well.

This is really great. I was freaked out at first because incidentally I start my second symphony I'm working on out in almost the exact same way with the harp playing a very similar rhythm on Bb. Mine is in 5/4 in the beginning though.

I think everything builds up quite nicely in this and I love your usage of strings. I guess that's because I don't feel I write for strings very well.

I don't really have any criticism, none that I can really think of as of now anyway. I do feel that tubular bells would fit very well in the beginning, and really throughout most of it, but that's more of a personal preference I guess.

But good luck on the competition. John Adams is an awesome composer and it would be great to have something you've written performed under his baton and by the PSO.

I love it.  The names fit the movements perfectly and it sounds great.  I really can't criticize cuz I wouldn't have a box to stand on, so I'm just gonna leave it at 'good job '

Cool stuff, love the use of strings and flute. Feels as if it's more suited for "music" music rather than incidental music though, but that's probably due to the fact that it's pieced together from multiple pieces.

That's cool that you can make something that long to keep on rolling; I always run out of patience, heheh. Good luck with the competition. :~

I think I know what you mean, but the way you expressed it confuses me, lol.

Well, whatever, it's episodic, and was always supposed to be. The piece has a clear storyline and progression behind it, so of course it comes through in the music itself.

on par with any oldschool rpg's score and better than most of the newer ones.

I loved it, every minute of it

I love it, and you ;o;

I'm amazed at how far you've come from when I first started listening to your music back in 2002. You've always wanted to compose for video games, and if you keep writing music of this caliber i'm sure you'll make it happen. C=

HEY GUYS!!!

I finally uploaded the new version, with better sounding instruments. GO TO MY MYSPACE PAGE TO LISTEN TO IT!!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/ryanleber

GO NOW

I WENT NOW

EDIT: It's not there ;-;

I am so damn envious of you =/ I'm not even at your level!

That symphony is excellent; at first listen I can't really hear anything wrong with it - it's just beautiful!

I must look at the notesheets later!