Congratulations on another masterful step toward the completion of "Rachmaninoff's Fourth!" I eagerly await the finale!

A great job. As if Rachmaninoff had "hidden" another symphony in this piano sonata. That's how you might think with this instrumentation here. Bravo

Orchestrations

A transcription for clarinet, piano and orchestra

Liszt Hungarian Rapsody

Caldini - Due Corali op 79c

The second movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's colossal First Piano Sonata opus 28, here orchestrated by Nando Florestan.  This second movement is said to represent the character of Gretchen, the girl used by the demon Mephistopheles to convince the old Faust to become young again... for a price.

Rachmaninoff: Gretchen (orchestration by Nando Florestan)

Una improvisación expresionista, controlada y trabajada ex post, irrespetuosamente inspirada en el Trío Nº 1 en Si bemol mayor, D. 898, de Franz Schubert. Compuesta in situ.

Ámsterdam (2011)

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Joélle Harvey, soprano
Reginald Mobley, countertenor
Hugh Russell, baritone
Chicago Symphony Chorus 
Jenny Wong, guest director 
Uniting Voices Chicago 
Josephine Lee, director

Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34

I’ve used the phenomenal Oxford Reverb to help create a sense of space between the soloist and the close mic. I also use the same plug-in to provide some tail - it gives such a smooth ending and really blends well with harp and strings here.

I’ve applied some gentle compression in the upper range using Fabfilter Pro-Q 3, which I have on trial specifically to make this demo.

I removed some of the muddy mid-lows from the harp and strings in order to help the performance breathe a bit, and I've used everything except close mic for CSW (Bassoon and Flute). 

Also applied is Joel Dollie’s Panbox, just to put the soloist to the left, and I've spread the strings out with violin 1s and 2s on opposite sides.

Other than that I’ve left this beautiful instrument as is - I hope you enjoy the performance.

Across the Stars (test).wav

les ilots de bonheur

full score and parts

Claude Debussy - Valse Romantique | Transcription for orchestra

Higher res than recording; Tarantella, Sweet Remembrances, Venetian Boat Song g minor, Hunting Song, Consolation in E Major, Lost Happiness, May Breezes, Lost Illusions, Spinning Song; 2016 recorded, release in 2019

Mendelssohn Songs Without Words

Orchestration: Ravel String Quartet in F Major I. Allegro moderato – très doux

1997 Internet Recital - Steinway Hall, NYC West 57th Street

Cyberecital. Com

Chopin: Polonaise In A Flat Major, Op. 53

1997 Internet Recital - Steinway Hall, NYC West 57th Street; photo courtesy Eric Smith

Rachmaninov: Prelude In G Major, Op. 32 no. 5

"When I Met Hitler" main theme

Juilliard Orchestra
Jeffrey Milarksy, Conductor
February 20, 2020 at Alice Tully Hall

"fractured orbits" was written in summer/fall 2019 for the Juilliard Orchestra. The title arises from the concept of examining one’s own thought processes, which as a composer is often a helpful form of self-reflection. I find that if we are able to make ourselves better aware of these thought processes, especially those used in making music, it allows us to harness the power of intuition more creatively and efficiently. While the piece does not attempt to depict any particular mental states literally, it appeared to me to fit the idea of cycles, or orbits, that return and are constantly being fragmented and transformed. This process, which happens nonstop in the brain, is recreated in the treatment of musical motives and gestures. In terms of form, I wanted all the players to have a soloistic part; thus the piece is a sort of concerto for orchestra.

While I was working on this piece, my teacher of two years, Christopher Rouse passed away. His sudden passing impacted me deeply, and I tried hard to focus on how thankful and fortunate I was to be touched by his wonderful humanity and mentorship. Several influences from him and his many listening assignments crept into the piece, which is dedicated with gratitude to his memory.

fractured orbits (2019) - Juilliard Orchestra

Orchestration: Henri Dutilleux's "Sur un même accord" from his Trois Préludes (1973–1988)

full score

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF - PRELUDE op. 32 No. 5 G-major | Transcription for orchestra

Nando Florestan is a composer of classical music (and pianist). He studied harmony, counterpoint, orchestration and composition with Osvaldo Lacerda, then went on to study music at Universidade de São Paulo.  He is available to score your film, game etc.  He also knows a lot about music theory and might be available to teach you.

Rachmaninoff: Gretchen (orchestration by Nando Florestan)

Nando Florestan (composer)

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