Empyreal Bells Rising Over the End Horizon (August Challenge)

doing a submission every month until i either win or die trying

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The two (technically three) motifs I used were “Prelude in C# Minor” and “Piano Concerto No. 2,” both famous late-romantic pieces composed by Rachmaninoff. I chose Rach as his pieces inspired my composition style greatly, and these two had recognizable motifs that I could alter to my liking.

My two main goals while composing were to improve in writing for orchestra and encapsulating a sense of divine judgement. I studied some of Rach’s orchestrated pieces like his Symphony No. 2 and Rach 2 as well as his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

For my motifs, I have 2-3 derived ones and one original (All specific measures will be included at the end). The first is the melody from the prelude which I directly used in the first strings section and a part in the piano passage deep into the piece. The second is a well-known one from Rach 2 M83 which I specifically used as a lighter theme contrasting the darkness of the last motif. It is included after the strings part and in the main climax of the piece. The third is short, but it is derived from the beginning of Rach’s prelude. It is mainly present in the Horn in F part with notable usage in the beginning of the piece and at the end. A fourth original motif I added was a bell-like chord in the piano present in the beginning before the strings section and throughout the end of the piece. I included alternate motifs where I changed some of the rhythms or notes while still resembling the movement of the original motif. I also fragmented others to better blend them in.
For the theme I wanted a piece that emanated judgement and retribution; a sinner meeting his end at the gates of Heaven. I took inspiration from the “end times” in the Bible, imagining the wrath of God purging all with His hand.

CONTINUED IN COMMENT SECTION.