Instrumental cue for piano and orchestra

[MJLeeman]

I submitted the previous version of the following track to Taxi for a custom review. As a result of the feedback, I revised and tried to build things musically gradually from start to finish, so this second version includes a bigger ending rather than the earlier version which petered out at the end. Also, as this music is of course composed in the box, I am trying to develop the sort of production skills which are designed to fool the listener into believing that the music is in fact a live recording, so as for example to avoid comments that the music is obviously midi driven. I have looked at some of the Cinematic Composing courses; among these is one by a mixer named Dennis Sands who teaches some simple tips in this regard as regards orchestral cinematic music. I have tried to put some of these tips into practice.

The music is intended vaguely to be something which might, as an instrumental cue, be synch-ed with a regal or statesman-like event in film or TV.

As always, any and all comments, advice and suggestions are most welcome.

https://www.taxi.com/members/nwRU7pygQr ... orchestra-

Cheers
Michael

[MJTthePHD]

Hi MJ,
This is a nice little piece you've got here! The ending sounds great. About 1 min into the track it starts to get really interesting - maybe try to make that happen about 30 seconds earlier. Also, I love a good dynamic range but this one stays super quiet for nearly the entire song, and doesn't build to max volume until the last few bars. I think you'll get better at this as you build your mixing skills, but try to make a middle section just as loud (or almost as loud) as the end. That will help keep the listener's interest. As far as it sounding too MIDI, I think it would be wise to invest more money into good orchestral samples than you do into composing courses.
Please be advised I barely know what I am talking about, but I give my advice in good spirits. Would appreciate the same from you on a "dramatic orchestral" cue I posted in this forum too.
Thanks!!
-another MJ