"Fantasia" for Orchestra

[Tyler E. Martin]

So I've wanted to compose for quite a long time, but never quite got around to it until about the tail end of last year. In that time, I've written a handful of pieces, but this latest, "Fantasia," for orchestra, I consider to be my best work:



Since it was created on Finale, it sounds very "synthy" and certainly not as effective as a live orchestra, but I've done all I can with the resources I have to make it sound as close to the real thing as possible. The dynamics and articulation are more or less where I want them, though a lot of the instruments leave a lot to be desired.

This piece began with the desire to create a march in the style of Akira Ifukube, whose classical works first inspired me to compose. The resulting theme makes up what has become the first main section. As a whole, it's intended as a letter of appreciation to Maestro Ifukube.

While I'm definitely still a novice composer, I do find this to be a reasonable step forward in my growth as a musician. I don't plan to do this for a living by any means, but I would appreciate your feedback, positive or negative (but preferably constructive). "Fantasia" has reached its present state largely through the advice of some fellow musicians, most especially my music theory professor, but I would like some input from you guys as well. I hope you enjoy "Fantasia" for orchestra.

EDIT: The link in this post now leads to a version of the track with augmented volume, so as to clear up the apparent difficulties in hearing the quieter parts. Hopefully this works, and if not, I will do some further adjustments. In any event, I've found that headphones make the different elements of the music come out more clearly, as well as diminishing the need for increased volume, so that's always an option. Again, hope you enjoy.

[Destroysall]

[Tyler E. Martin]

[Destroysall]

[Tyler E. Martin]

[Destroysall]

You should purchase the Contatto re-release which is approx. $30, so it isn't that bad. I haven't heard the Ostinato CD yet, so I guess I could only imagine it.

I have heard many of his other pieces which are separate from his film works. They are truly very amazing! I can agree with you a lot there.

You have really good taste in music, Tyler. I listen to variety types of music, and I could even say, death metal has helped me write some classical songs.

Now it's always good to pay somewhat a tribute to any composer in your songs even if it is a small cue to their style. In my opinion, music is a form of self-expression. If I have a certain image in my head or anything, I would try to create music that fits that scene. If I am sad, angry, or even happy, I would use music to express those emotions. In time you will drift away from that imitation and will be able to create and improvise easily over time.

I enjoyed that piece, it was good! All I could say is keep up the good work and you could eventually become a legend yourself!

If you wanna hear the Contatto CD version of Latitude Zero, just go to my MySpace (ya I know, its sad, haha) , its on my profile and at the bottom of this post, I have the song on there!

[Tyler E. Martin]

After abandoning it for months and not picking it back up until recently, I have now (tentatively) completed another piece. It's not quite as good as the first Fantasia in my opinion, but nevertheless took some considerable time and effort in its completion. There's a little fudge at the beginning that won't seem to budge no matter how much I fiddle with it, and there are changes in tempo and dynamics in a couple of spots that don't quite work out the way I'd like, but overall it's a good idea of what I've envisioned. Please enjoy Fantasia No. 2, for orchestra:

[Destroysall]

[Tyler E. Martin]

Glad you liked it, Destroysall. Thanks for the feedback.

Post-college unemployment sure leaves a lot of time for penning new material. This my latest (and in my opinion, best) original composition. I tried out a few new techniques this time around, including a composite time signature in one section and some experimenting with the harp. As usual, a very brief snippet was removed from the very beginning of the piece during file conversion (still can't figure that one out); also, the clarinet's upper range sounds pretty nasty during the solo toward the end, which really undercuts the value of the instrument, but such are the weaknesses of Finale. In addition, there appear to be issues with the file hosting site I normally use, so I had to go with a different one. I apologize for the minor inconveniences posed by File Factory.

As always, feedback, positive or negative, is welcome.

Fantasia No. 3, for orchestra:

I'm thinking this will be the last of the Fantasias, at least for a while, as I've been itching to work on material for smaller-scale ensembles. When I churn out something new, it'll be posted here.