Dances for Brass Quintet (VSL Brass)

[Paul McGraw]

I haven't composed as much new music this year as I would have liked. This has been a really bad medical year for me. I found out I have cancer, then I was hospitalized twice for congestive heart failure, and suffer with a major (debilitating) problem with my lower spine. That is all in addition to diabetes and neuropathy. So if you folks stop hearing from me, now you know why.

Anyway, I finally finished this four-movement brass quintet and would appreciate any critique or feedback. I am using all VSL instruments: Bb Trumpet, Cornet, Vienna Horn, Trombone, and Tuba. All are VI full libraries using MIR Pro Synchron StageThe PDF score is attached.

Dances for Brass Quintet

Link to the Score

Score

[tchampe]

I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, Paul. I hope your music helps to give you peace and comfort in these difficult times. I know that I always feel a sense of joy and peace in your work and this charming brass set is no exception. I just wanted you to know that I was unable to access your score through the link. It took me to a DropBox page that contained an audio file of the music (just like the SoundCloud). I linked to your IMSLP page from the SoundCloud but I couldn't open the score there, either.

Again, Paul, wonderful music! I look forward to hearing many, many more beautiful compositions. Strength and courage to you, my friend.

Tom

[Paul McGraw]

@tchampe said:

I'm sorry to hear about your health issues, Paul. I hope your music helps to give you peace and comfort in these difficult times. I know that I always feel a sense of joy and peace in your work and this charming brass set is no exception. I just wanted you to know that I was unable to access your score through the link. It took me to a DropBox page that contained an audio file of the music (just like the SoundCloud). I linked to your IMSLP page from the SoundCloud but I couldn't open the score there, either.

Again, Paul, wonderful music! I look forward to hearing many, many more beautiful compositions. Strength and courage to you, my friend.

Tom

Thank you Tom, I truly appreciate the kind words. I'm sorry for the bad link. It is fixed now if still interested. 

I was pleased with the VSL instruments in this quintet. I own many different brass libraries, but I still prefer VSL in most cases, especially in a chamber setting. Anyway, blessings to you my friend, and Merry Christmas.

Paul McGraw

[William]

Paul that is great, it reminds me of Copland though not at all stolen, it is a wonderful Americana sound of your own creation. This would really be appreciated by brass quintets.  Your handling of the brass is expert.

On the MIDI I thought perhaps you could use some of the dim/cresc articulations in the first movement instead of sustain to get more decay on the short notes, and decrease the release time.  Some sounded too long.  But that is trivial compared to the fantastic composition.  I am a big fan of yours.  In fact, I wish I had CD compilations of your pieces to play at leisure... 

[Paul McGraw]

@William said:

Paul that is great, it reminds me of Copland though not at all stolen, it is a wonderful Americana sound of your own creation. This would really be appreciated by brass quintets.  Your handling of the brass is expert.

On the MIDI I thought perhaps you could use some of the dim/cresc articulations in the first movement instead of sustain to get more decay on the short notes, and decrease the release time.  Some sounded too long.  But that is trivial compared to the fantastic composition.  I am a big fan of yours.  In fact, I wish I had CD compilations of your pieces to play at leisure... 

Thank you, Bill. You have always been kinder to me than I deserve. That is great advice about the dynamics.

[Jos Wylin]

Great composition, Paul. You do really honour to the VSL brass instruments. And I agree with William, it should (must) be performed live. I guess many quintets are waiting for such good music.

I wish you lots of courage and a good and full recovery, so that you will be able again to commit yourself fully to composition, your great love.

All the best!

Jos

[Paul McGraw]

@Jos Wylin said:

Great composition, Paul. You do really honour to the VSL brass instruments. And I agree with William, it should (must) be performed live. I guess many quintets are waiting for such good music.

I wish you lots of courage and a good and full recovery, so that you will be able again to commit yourself fully to composition, your great love.

All the best!

Jos

Hi Jos,

Thank you for listening and for the positive comments. It means a lot to me. The quintet will be performed live in late January. I am going to pay a guy to make a decent video/recording of the performance, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it goes well.

[MMKA]

Hi Paul,

That was a shock to hear from all the problems you have concerning your health! I wish you all the best! And concerning your music: thanks for sharing this. A beautiful piece of music, and definitely in a field, where you feel very comfortable. I hope that you will share much more new compositions in the time to come!

[jasensmith]

Hey Paul,

I agree with William on the style of your piece here but I think it's more Copeland sprinkled with some Haydn because I'm hearing many of the telltail signs of Classical structure.  But I like that style and I wish more composers would embrace it.

And we all hope that your health issues won't become so debilitative that you cannot compose anymore as that would deprive not just you but all of us.

Thanks for sharing