Hi,
 
I don't often find literature a source of inspiration for my music but I've recently been reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon - this is often thought of as a series for women to read but to be honest I've been enjoying it even though my normal staple book diet is mostly SciFi and Fantasy.
 
Anyway, I've been inspired to write a couple of pieces of music based on the first book in the series and here's one of them - Jamie's Lament/Castle Leoch.
 
https://soundcloud.com/purplerhapsody/jamies-lament-castle-leoch
 
I don't know what the copyright situation is as regards music based on characters and storylines from literature but if I get the author's blessing I'll be carrying on writing an album's worth of material, I reckon. 
 
I would like some feedback, if possible, on the strings from about 2:15. I've been tweaking them for so long that I can no longer tell what sounds good and what doesn't... any comments or ideas for improvement would be good. I'm using EWQL Symphonic Orchestra Gold for the strings.
 
Thanks in advance for listening.
 
Cheers,
Terry.

Hi Terry, excellent as always.  There's not much to criticize here ; ) As for the strings from 2:15 to 3:30 they're fine with me, but I keep expecting a more clear response to that string theme. If I hear correctly there's a horn answering that theme but it's kind of muffled.  Maybe would be nice to throw in some harps. Well done , Sir.
 
Rik

Always nice to hear from you Terry.  Such a nice theme and touch on the piano.  I love the change at 2:15.  The theme is so strong.  I think the cellos too loud when they come in with quarter notes earlier.  The movement itself may not have to come up in volume so much as the orchestration already creates that energy.  Nice snare rolls!

My wife is an Outlander fan so of course I had to listen to this.  
 
Well done, as always!   Very nice orchestration, and the melodies have enough Scottish highlands "feel" to set the tone without being gimmicky.   IOW, good balance IMO.  
 
I can see this being used in some fashion!
 

Very nice, Terry.  It makes me want to do a video for this.  Your orchestration skills are what makes this special.  Thanks for sharing.

Excellent work! Enjoyed this piece very much. Mix is very clear and powerful as well.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

Yes, that was quite nice for sure and it even felt good. Everything seems to fit together very nicely and comes off very well throughout the piece. I have EWQL Silver Symphonic Orchestra and have had it since it first came out, but this gold instrumentation sounds very nice and you used it very well. Everything sounds well balanced with a good stereo spread throughout the piece, listening through my Hi-def headset. I don't know the character, but I'm sure your imagination captured him just as you have read him, and the Scottish feeling is definitely there. Job well done. Maybe you might be able to strike a movie deal with the writer.
 
Peace and Blessings, John

Very well done! I always like to hear what you've come up with. This is great!

Hi,
 
First off thanks to everyone for listening, whether you've commented or not.
 
Rikkie - thanks! Yes there is a horn sort of answering it, I was thinking I could do with something a bit more percussive sounding (or plucked) and harps sound like a good idea, I'll give it a go!
 
Rimshot/Jimmy - Good point about the volumes and the energy. I'll muck about with (erm I mean tweak) the volumes and see if I can improve things.
 
Steve - I guess your wife is looking forward to the new book coming out in the next couple of weeks and the TV series starting in August? If not then I guess she will be when you tell her ;-)
 
Lynn - thanks! What story would the video have?
 
Dan - thanks!
 
theguitarplayer/John - For the stereo mix I no longer use default orchestra positions, I make each audio output mono and then pan each one individually until I'm happy with the stereo mix. I won't be able to strike a movie deal because there's a TV series already completed based on the books...
 
Starise/Tim - Thanks Tim!
 
Thanks again everyone!
 
Cheers,
Terry.

Purple Rhapsody
 
Steve - I guess your wife is looking forward to the new book coming out in the next couple of weeks and the TV series starting in August? If not then I guess she will be when you tell her ;-)
 

Why yes, I believe she is.