Always coming home

[FourthMansions]

A piece inspired by a train journey back to the town where I grew up.

http://www.kara-moon.com/download_song.php?download_id=4419

[folderol]

This is a very original piece of work, and also very different to what I'm used to hearing

I suppose one could describe it as neo-classical.

How did you get those string effects? They are very realistic, and the recording is very clean.

[kara]

Yes i agree, this is very good string arranging
Neo classical is an interesting description for the style.
Would be great music for a new Zelda game 

k

[FourthMansions]

Thanks for listening, guys - I'm glad you liked it.

I like the term "neo-classical" - wonder if it's already used for a style of music.

Folderol, the strings were done using Garritan Personal Orchestra - a very nice piece of software which I'm slowly learning to use.

[elwoodblues1969]

F.M.,

This is a very pretty melody,but I think it's really screaming for a ambient-like bass & drum track to really round it out,because it feels as though the chord progressions where written for such a compostion.

Perhaps with a rythym track that symbolizes the rythym of a train in motion?
That is what plays out in my mind when I listen to your piece.

Is this piece an idea,or a finished product?If this is a piece that you are going to add to,it's off to a fantastic beginning.

Thom

[Laguna Rising]

This is a very original piece of work, and also very different to what I'm used to hearing

I suppose one could describe it as neo-classical.

How did you get those string effects? They are very realistic, and the recording is very clean.

Yes, this is a nice track. I like the classical arrangements and the realism of sounds and parts.
I have to agree there's nothing recalling the train rolling, but reading your words I perceived the feel of coming back to the previous hometown

Cheers

[FourthMansions]

Thanks for listening Thom and Laguna - I'm glad you liked it.

...but I think it's really screaming for a ambient-like bass & drum track to really round it out

I hadn't thought of bass and drums on the song, but it's quite an intriguing idea. I'm not skilled enough at drum programming to carry it off, but would be happy if anyone else was interested in trying it...

[Martin E]

Very nice piece FM Really enjoyed it. I can hear you're getting skilled at using GPO. I should probably get a closer look at it myself. Sounds very realistic.

For what it's worth;I don't agree at all with Elwood about adding ambient bass and drums. It would totally ruin the feel you've got going now. Since the tune has nothing to do with the train in question but with the feeling of returning home.

[Moon]

Interesting discussion: I would add bass & drum. I'm a fann of songs where old and new sounds come together. So I would try it out... Well, I hope somebody will give it a try...

Anyway, FM, you have a great feeling for melody. Everytime I hear your music, I listen to it again and I never get borred. An that's a complement ! 

[offthewall]

I agree, it's a lovely composition and the instrumentation is first-class.
To join the argument, my first instinct was to imagine a 'picked' acoustic guitar to fill out the rhythm section and a flute or whistle playing a harmony line. The overall sound, to my old ears, is very celtic influenced. I like the 'neo-classical' tag.
 
James

[tem]

Some different ideas have been written, I like it as it is, the back strings might pace longer measures (legato?) ...  just another idea. To me, it is a journey on a train slowly moving along a pastoral country, on the way home, with an anticipation of good old days.

Thanks for sharing !

[Wyatt]

Fourth Mans..

Really nice song..it works for me.

Wyatt

[FourthMansions]

Anyway, FM, you have a great feeling for melody. Everytime I hear your music, I listen to it again and I never get borred. An that's a complement ! 

Thanks, Moon - that means a lot!

And thanks to everyone else for their positive comments and ideas. I like the piece as it is but also think it might work well with Thom's ambient drums or with James's celtic touches - luckily there's room in music for lots of different approaches. 

[Oren]

This style of composition would, in classical terms, be called an "adagio", and the  performance reminds me of chamber music featuring a string quartet or quintet. In this context it is complete in every way.
Even the production style sounds like a double bass, cello, viola, and violin playing in a small concert environment.

Think "Tomaso Albinoni - Les Adagios"

Very cool, Fourth Mansions!

Oren.