Experimenting again here with different divisions of strings. Why is getting the balance right so difficult? Part of the answer is that conductors (not composers) are the experts. They ensure, for example, that large numbers of divisions of second violins, avoid blasting smaller numbers of viola divisions into acoustic oblivion.

Small, medium or large orchestras plainly have very different numbers of divisions of the different string instruments. It is very complicated to get the balance right, to say the least. Conductors know how to handle all sorts of different orchestras (small, medium and large)...and therefore all sorts of different divisions, of all sorts of instruments.

The best way for composers to learn (from conductors) is to attend rehearsals of pieces made by famous composers. Making notes of everything the conductor says to the orchestra during rehearsals.

Gustav Mahler was a conductor who happened to compose in his spare time. Being a good conductor, in my opinion, is orders of magnitude more difficult than being a good composer. Controversially, I suggest good conductors should not be required (by the performance notes of a score), to adhere strictly to performance notes. Good conductors should be positively encouraged to interpret scores ad libitum.

Efforts were made in the above study to think about string divisions, in relation to other string divisions and piano. A technical study. Which became the first movement of my first piano concerto.

Piano Concerto No.1 (1st movement) Op.22

Summer storm

Spell of Freedom ( Instrumental  free download  mp3 )

Quick start

Words & Music © Nic Evennett, 2019, 2025. 

For Helen 

Let me be water,
And feel with flowing arms,
Seeking the corners
Then flowing, flowing.
And evermore I'll float.
There, I will linger.
There, I'll find stillness.

I'll only keep moments
And a calm heart.
No one could hold me down -
Slip through tangled hand.
And I will sing their songs -
The voice of the coral,
The melody of the sands.

Be.
Beautifully dawning.

The words of a dreamer,
The messenger of the sea.

~

The Letter ~ For Helen

The colors of Autumn are plain beautiful

Washburn R305 parlor guitar and 1928 Gibson A2 Mandolin. 

Jaunt through colors of Autumn

"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us." - Anne Lamott

A Saturday morning composition inspired by the theme of grace.  Recorded on my very old Yamaha CVP and may need a few adjustments. 😊 Wishing everyone listening a wonderful day!

Days of Grace

This album was originally released for streaming in 2020 and is appearing on SoundCloud for the first time now.  It was my first album featuring works for a large ensemble with music performed by Camerata Philadelphia conducted by Dr. Stephen Framil with guest artists Brett Deubner and Peggy Pei-Ju Yu. Tracks include THE FOUR ELEMENTS for viola and string orchestra, PAVANNE FOR A WORLD WITHOUT WAR for string orchestra, IN PRAISE OF REASON for cello, 2 horns and string orchestra and MYSTICAL SONGS for soprano, viola and string orchestra setting poems by the Spanish mystic Fernando Rielo.  The album's title comes from one of his poems.

Spell of Freedom ( Instrumental free download mp3 )

Axel Kroll