Beginner Vs Pro Composer: Can you hear the difference?

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Well, if Frank and Mieke ever get married they’ve now got the perfect piece to play them down the aisle! Cracking job David! 😊

[@danjwheatley]

No pressure!

[@frankjdrensen3958]

I actually hadn't thought of that, but that's a very good plan, hmmm :)

[@jameslutz6942]

David Bennett REALLY wants to get hired for this particular wedding gig, eh?

[@danjwheatley]

@@Ali-xj8cc they did tuplets for toddlers :)

[@tomwhitcombe7621]

@@frankjdrensen3958 Put a ring on it dude :p

[@frankjdrensen3958]

This was an absolutely amazing experience. Thanks so much David, you're so kind! Oh and instructive, of course! :)

[@DBruce]

It was a joy to meet you Frank, looking forward to piece no.2!

[@frankjdrensen3958]

@@DBruce Coming right up!

[@typicaldark3884]

Frank, it's so nice to see a fellow Dutch composer on the field! Keep up the good work buddy, I hope you will go places with your music :) It must have felt a dream come true being seen by another (great) composer, isn't it?

[@frankjdrensen3958]

@@typicaldark3884 Thanks/dankje!! It really felt amazing. Thanks for the kind words!

[@polkmusic]

@@frankjdrensen3958 A very nice piece. I really enjoyed it. Keep composing.

[@sakuilvonen]

Could there be a five composers video with this idea? A minute long peace by a "rookie" and five composers doing their crazy covers of it but still trying to keep it recognizable.

[@willsams6218]

This is a splendid idea!

[@bcpeters1457]

Yes please!

[@danielfryer9693]

Ooh yes!

[@CuratorOfRealities]

I would watch the shit out of that (even more than I already do to the other videos).

[@wheelchairfly]

YES!

[@zachheilman784]

If we can stretch the metaphor of the piece as representing a romantic relationship, to me Frank's original version is an expression of someone experiencing that relationship for themselves, and David's rework is like a parent watching their child experience that same relationship with the benefit of more life experience and sharing in the same joys but also able to better see the nuances.

[@Lawrencelot89]

That's a nice way of looking at it!

[@Butlinsgvn6]

Beautiful metaphor, you're totally right

[@BruceCarbonLakeriver]

Yep I thought the same!

[@harshkumbhar3015]

That's basically what I felt without realizing while watching this video!

[@TrentJacobs]

One thing I immediately noticed about the original was that, as a bassoonist, it was a very taxing part. Dotted halves the whole way through makes for a very tiring experience. David's changes, while making the piece a bit more technically difficult (slurs to high D, 16th note runs, yadda yadda) it makes it far less physically demanding from an endurance standpoint. There are more obvious points to breathe and rest and having a variety of registers and rhythms means the embouchure uses different muscles throughout, rather than sitting on the same muscles used the same way.

[@elenaflores1774]

That's very interesting to think about--how more knowledge of the instruments themselves and how they're played may affect how a composer structures their part.

[@teegeevee42]

This is honestly so inspiring. I wish there were more opportunities for aspiring composers to get their work played. Perhaps it could be established (as some kind of rule of honor) for professional groups that they do one "open submission" piece at each concert instead of only playing things by classical / known contemporary composers.

[@1pixle]

Revitalize the art of composition? I love it

[@axolotl8694]

great idea. strongly agree. it should be a matter of honour and responsibility that you program and play the music being composed now. something new at every concert. the stuff of dreams.

[@TchaikovskyFDR]

My High School Music Program would do that - but we were fortunate to have 5 orchestras, a marching band, a jazz band, and a student body that was just shy of 3500.

[@1pixle]

@@TchaikovskyFDR 5 orchestras 😳

[@tasfa10]

That would be so great!!

[@marcusberggren9241]

i liked both versions. Frank really has talent!

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Wow, thanks so much!!

[@adipsous]

I honestly like both versions equally. The longer, more evolved and academic, one has its obvious musically mature pluses. But the original retains a purity that gets somewhat forgotten, or just not allowed its innocence, in comparison. They're just different people, like an older and younger sibling. Both wonderful, lovely people to meet. Great tutorial on how to approach, rework, and improve (haha) one's works, however. Cheers from San Francisco, California, USA.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

@@adipsous That's a really nice comment, thank you so much! :)

[@christopherlynn755]

In a world filled with war, divisiveness, hatred, disrespect, and never-ending bad news it is easy to head toward emotional disconnection--but then something like this video, filled with creativity, kindness, intelligence, and love comes along and pulls me back from the brink. Thank you David, Frank, and Aeolian Winds.

[@Nooticus]

Completely agree. This is one of the best channels on KZbin

[@peaceofkake1085]

It's important to be reminded that no matter what horrible crap goes on in the world, there are people being human in the good sense of the word, quietly going about life doing things like what you see in this video.

[@MuzixMaker]

Amen, brother

[@robertYTB78g]

I'm really glad you posted this, thanks, I couldn't have said it better.

[@sfglim5341]

There are way more humans than monsters on this planet

[@misaacsable]

That was educational from a technical music perspective; but it was also just kind, generous and romantic. Human beings at their best. Love to you David, Frank and Mieke ❤

[@rubenfernando2457]

Yep, this commentary summarize the whole experience. Thank you for the kind words.

[@ProudBerliozian]

Rensen’s original (or can we say “Rensen’s Original”?) is gorgeous. Honestly. He wrote a beautiful love-letter to his girlfriend. [Speaking of metaphors, the breathlessness of the writing is in itself quite meaningful… (if slightly unmanageable in real life; we do gotta breath…)] But the idea of expanding and inserting a trove of pertinent, gently elevating contents and magnifications from the experienced Bruce style-that truly brings this love letter from a breathless, heartfelt, private testament of love, to a deeply satisfying, universal piece of literature.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Thanks so much :)

[@MuzixMaker]

Well said!

[@MuzixMaker]

@@frankjdrensen3958 Frank you have a bright future ahead of you! Best of luck, continued success, and don’t let your lovely girlfriend get away! As we say in the US, she’s a keeper.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

@@MuzixMaker thanks! She definitely is :)

[@JohnathandosSantos]

Man, this vid had me smiling the whole way through! Very nice David!!!

[@DBruce]

I smiled a lot while editing it. Frank's smile is very infectious!

[@Ana_crusis]

Me too!

[@ericrakestraw664]

The main flute melody reminded me of the waltz theme by Michael Giacchino in the Pixar film "Up." Great job, Frank, composing the piece and great job, David, for making the piece sound fuller and richer.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Thank you!! Up is too cute :)

[@minerscale]

@@frankjdrensen3958 Same composer as Ratatouille! Giacchino's music is just so infectiously wonderful.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

@@minerscale didn't know that! Makes so much sense :)

[@minerscale]

@@frankjdrensen3958 By the way, wonderful composition! I'm a music composition student myself and I'm currently stuck in the weeds in a highly experimental slog of a major work which I'm hoping will work. It's very refreshing and reassuring to see highly accessible and tonal music treated in such a careful, well thought through way. I feel like us composers need to be reminded that simple is actually quite desirable, and that cliche can be adopted quite successfully if used judiciously.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

@@minerscale thanks so much! Is your music on your channel? I'd love to hear!

[@martialmelody]

As a fellow composer studying music at university, this made me smile more than you could imagine! You really nailed your approach to this David; getting the best out of it for you, your audience, Frank, and Mieke!

[@CN-cb6yu]

"Welcome to the world of composition." This feels especially impactful for me who just got into composition. There is this indescribable feeling after penning down the last note of the first ever complete composition that reminds you you have crossed the threshold and entered a new world. Hearing a piece that you wrote being performed live is incredible, seeing the musicians putting in time and effort for it makes all the doubts and insecurities you have to face while writing worth it. I wish I had someone saying such a thing to me when I recorded my first composition. Congrats, Frank! It is a sweet and beautiful piece. You can be proud of it for sure!

[@electricwassabi]

This is amazing. My brother asked me to re-arrange his proposal song into something like this. I finished arranging the intro but felt like it was too much at first. Then the first tip here right away helped me! Im gonna rework on my arrangement. Thank you!

[@Nooticus]

Im almost crying, wow... 🥲 what a video!!! David you have smashed it out of the park yet again; the initial idea for this video, the execution, choice of guest composer, exceptional editing, EVERYTHING is just perfection! Frank and Mieke are the cutest couple ever and I wish them many more years of happiness together

[@Nooticus]

apologies for the essay David, I just wanted to show my appreciation as much as I can!

[@DBruce]

Very much appreciated!

[@comet1072]

@@Nooticus Hey, a name I recognise haha! You're a master of finding the 'smaller' channels that need more attention :)

[@Nooticus]

@@comet1072 why thank u legend!! u are great at that too!

[@jenschristianblom]

This was really beautiful. not only musically, but also in terms of the warm athmosphere the co-composer/teacher provides, and which is evident in much of his other output.

[@emilyrln]

It's really interesting how well your ten points apply to writing a story, particularly the task of going back through and foreshadowing the ending. It was great to see the reasoning you used when picking things to emphasize and transform and draw out. The original felt like a song, and the revision feels like a story or a play. What an amazing collaboration! Y'all had me crying happy tears to see their reaction to the performance 😭🥰

[@benjaminmiddaugh2729]

One of my favorite (occasionally) recurring themes from earlier seasons of the Writing Excuses podcast is Howard Taylor's exploration of the similarities between writing and musical composition in terms of approaching storytelling. The more I am exposed to them both, the more I'm convinced he's correct. I don't have specific episodes (and I'm not going to go look at the moment) but they're mostly between seasons 6 and 10.

[@nathang4682]

Amazing video. Frank is very mature to be able to let you rework his baby like that. A lot of people, especially beginners, can't handle criticism no matter how constructive it is. I loved this!

[@jonathanjonsson9205]

I'm having a very tough time in life lately and this is one of the few things that made me smile. So much love, joy and care. Sometimes music is what keeps us going.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

[@jgunther3398]

BWV 1 through 200

[@JazzDuets]

These tips are tremendous as well for improvisors to think about when constructing a solo!

[@AlbertKimMusic]

13:40 I love the point you've made about accidental discoveries, I always felt guilty whenever something accidentally turned out well, I felt that it wasn't really genuine since it wasn't on purpose

[@lexabexa]

“It’s maybe even when you move away from knowing what your doing that your own voice starts to emerge” Probably my favorite line in this video. It applies to so much of all fields of art

[@guille____]

That was a great video idea! So entertaining and informative. Frank seemed very happy. You're a nice guy David :)

[@khaledshokry5070]

Yes 👍

[@navsh]

It is a beautiful piece of music, wrapped in a moving 'hero's journey', with a topping of a rich music lesson, which is VERY accessible even for a layman such as myself. Thanks David, for making such consistent, high quality content ... I loved this!!!

[@Warrenvidalspella]

I cried haha. Seeing how this young composer listens carefully to your advice, and the emotions when they listen to the final piece, it's magic. Thanks for doing this !

[@MelodiCat753]

I am so happy that you gave Frank an opportunity for his piece to be played, while also providing constructive ideas on composition! As a composer myself in college, hearing my music played live is one of the most emotional opportunities possible, and it's very motivating for new composer to get that!

[@your_guitar_buddy]

This was a master class in composition and arrangement for wind quartet. Lovely. Thanks for making such great content.

[@vaclavmichalekmusic]

I would totally love this as a series! It's like watching a musician's dream come true with all the passion and excitement. Plus it's really educational to see/hear the original idea with all the "pitfalls" one often fails to see at first - and then experience the piece "fixed"

[@Machinesofdrunkenhate]

😊1❤

[@tandybare]

such a young guy with so much emotional direction and purpose is incredible!!

[@steevf]

As a fledgling composer myself, this video had some very profound tips on composition. Things that took me decades to figure out and things that I had never thought of. A lot to think about here.

[@Pianistec]

Such a beautiful piece he made there! Last year I also had the pleasure that a real orchestra played my composition, it's an incredible feeling hearing the own composition live-played. Great job Frank, I loved the piece!

[@abstractdaddy]

A really thoughtful video, learned a lot listening to the reasoning behind some of your decisions.

[@nom...]

Nice to see you here! I like your art.

[@andrechris-sargent9921]

Oh, Hey, Umami.

[@pianojay5146]

it's the safe mode guy!

[@braydenjones6561]

This was a very lovely and wonderful video! I absolutely loved it! I think Frank Rensen's original piece was already perfect. It encapsulated the tone he was looking for extremely well. David's rearrangement/reworking of the the piece just added polish to what was already there. It took it from 100% to say 130% or 140%. Though, in some sense, I feel like David's rearrangement expanded the piece to fit a wider setting, maybe like them in their home town, versus the original which may have been simpler but was potentially more personal (i.e. fit a more personal setting, like inside of a home). It is hard to say which is fully better. They were both very stunning and great! Thanks for the video!!!!

[@enkiitu]

It really needs to be said, how perfectly Dutch people speak English. It’s really not a given. But astounding. I experienced it first hand. They sound so natural and with a rich vocabulary.

[@musical_lolu4811]

What kind of comment is this.

[@juanmaidana8185]

This is extremely wholesome. You two guys are great!

[@RoseCadenza]

It's such a beautiful piece! The original and revised versions! I love Frank's excitement during the whole thing. There's so many things I learned from this. Frank, imagined if you had this playing at your wedding. That would be the most touching thing in the world.

[@theGameBrass]

This was a wonderful and inspiring idea. I love how you were able to explain each alteration that you made as part of an easily digestible set of pointers. The final fleshed-out version sounds glorious and remains so recognizable and true to Frank's original vision. Very lovely, thank you, Frank, and Aeolian Winds so much for putting this together.

[@mickwoolley8267]

Have to say Frank produced a simple yet really beautiful tune and the ending is so lovely, it is a tear jerker. OK, David, your changes were also not bad - the explanation of why, though - that was really instructive. Thanks Both!

[@hussamalkaissi4453]

David Bruce, not only I've enjoyed your music (starting from "Gumboots") and your videos assays on music, but this just seems to be the nicest thing to do for young composers. I was smiling for 30 minutes :)

[@DJ-3maj]

This is heartwarming! David you are an example for all of us. It reminds me of the Jacob Collier's work of vocal reharmonizing on youtube. As a inexperienced composer I find your advice on further developing a piece of music tremendously valuable! I've watched all of your videos and have been following you for years, and hope you make more videos like this. Thank you

[@DBruce]

Thanks. That's really interesting because I'd just been thinking about Jacob's reharms. Involving 'amateurs' in the artistic process is so rewarding for everyone. Another inspiration for me is the Grayson Perry Art Club series (a UK thing)

[@bloxybuzzstudios3557]

Wow....... real people reaching out to one another in a loving way....sharing, participating, encouraging one another....and in person, one face to another. All of this far more beautiful than the music will ever be, and sadly, rapidly disappearing.

[@almightyhydra]

I think the sweet spot will be somewhere between the two versions. The revised version has better structure and some lovely harmonies (the oboe/flute rising sixths at 24:42 in particular, later echoed by the clarinet/bassoon). But there are sections where a lot of simplicity of the original was replaced by quite noisy/busy stuff and I felt that detracted from the intended mood of the original. Great video though, very instructive stuff and how lovely for someone to see their composition performed by professionals.

[@kaykamusic9338]

Totally agree

[@samuelhillmusic]

Really heartwarming to see Frank and Mieke's smiles as they heard the performance of the reworked version!!

[@elliepodmore4348]

This video had me smiling all the way through. As a novice myself (presently arranging for a choir), I found David's information invaluable. Both pieces are beautiful and I can picture them being used as an introduction to a movie, especially that last chord used as a fade in to a wide scene. I only found your channel this week David, you are an inspirational teacher. Thank you to you and to Frank.

[@Bigandrewm]

Speaking of taking advantage of not understanding my own logic or just having mistakes, I remember in one of my best big band charts I ended up just missing 8 bars of drums and it got auto-marked as rests in the notation program I was using. Take it to rehearsal and it actually was kind of amazing that dropping drums in that spot did a great job of preparing the next section, so I left the "out" in, so to speak.

[@mr.mrowmusic8255]

I love how supportive you were with the whole thing, you didn't even seem to insult or dislike what he made, just offering really good constructive criticism and being super supportive I learned a lot from this and I'm sure many others did too!

[@adamlykkegaard7289]

This is a really cool format!

[@Nooticus]

Lmao

[@TheBartgry]

I know Frank quite well, such a versatile and great dude. Keep it up 💪

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Bart! YOU are a great dude :)

[@chamuuemura5314]

Beautiful original composition and amazing ideas for edits, especially 8&9. However, what’s most graceful is Mieke’s appreciation for everyone’s efforts. The world needs more people like Mieke. Thanks to composers and performers, too. We couldn’t have heard this if not for you.

[@MrMoonCraft]

This is probably your best video yet. Frank's piece was already creating so many feelings and emotions for me as I was listening to it. I think when you mentioned the ending of the piece to him and told him how people would feel listening to his music that he didn't really believe you, but hopefully if Frank reads this, I'd like him to know that his music was very powerful and clearly conveyed the feelings and tone he was talking about. This being his first composition and he's already captured the most important element of music (in my opinion), which is conveying his message successfully to his audience. I think he's done a fantastic job of that. It was a joy hearing your modifications build up his piece and elevate it as well. Thank you for this video David!

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Thank you Naranja, I read it :))) so kind of you.

[@TheMotherOfBambi]

as a 23 year old myself who is finishingtheir composition degree something about this video is making me so emotional.. seeing Frank be so happy and excited and care-free and self-assured about what he composed makes me think of how i was when i first started composing. And how I feel now when you go through all these composition crises and crises of aesthetics and then you get into contemporary music and then you start to find passion in a different way, and thats very exicting and promising, but. But sometimes i yearn for that innocence i lost and can never go back to (because i refuse to, i suppose)

[@lennmusicman]

This is one of the most wholesome videos I've seen in ages! Also I couldn't resist tearing up hearing the end result; it's a very moving piece.

[@robstroh]

I love your approach to music creation, David. The music world needs more of the warmth, kindness, generosity and humour that you bring. This video lifted my spirits.

[@junkyardfrog]

this was wonderful, positive and loving on every level. not only for Frank to write such a beautiful piece for his partner but also for David to take the time to build upon it and share his craft. thank you so much, all of you, for putting this out in a world that feels really dark right now. really needed something positive today so thank you from the bottom of my heart!! love the piece, Frank!

[@connorhargreaves9585]

Wow! Fantastic musicianship and sound from Aeolian Winds!

[@Ana_crusis]

What a brilliant thing to do! And what a wonderful class you give Frank in composition. What great fun we all had, you, Frank his girlfriend and all of us watching the video. I learned lots from it. Just a really great, educational, fun thing to do I hope you do a few more of those.

[@helenemelon]

Frank is adorable! It's so nice that you did this for him! I don't know anything about composing, but you gave what seemed like good advice and what you did with the music was amazing, and I loved hearing you explain it. It's like editing a bit of written work, where you look at the grammar and syntax and stuff but with music!

[@adamjnotthecongressmanschi7026]

frank's collection of stuff behind him is going to make my dad so happy :D

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Hahaha I'm glad :)

[@PrismaPog_17]

The millenium Falcon at the background of Franks room, is just quietly listening and taking notes.

[@sniperpanda1]

I don't think I've ever had a youtube video bring me to tears out of such a wholesome, goodhearted sentiment such as this. Wonderfully done, David! I have quite a similar experience to Frank: I'm currently in grad school, and I've carried along my pursuit of music all my life, but never had the guts to go to music school, or even to compose. But this video has really inspired me to give composition a shot. Thanks for this.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

Yeaah go for it! You can do it! :D

[@sniperpanda1]

@@frankjdrensen3958 Yooo Frank! Well now I suppose I REALLY have to hahah. Thanks homie

[@daviddickason6729]

I like how you made additions and changes to the piece, explaining each of them, without changing the overall intention.

[@BsktImp]

Awww... What a lovely time for all concerned. Frank and Mieke seem such a happy young couple - what a lovely present from Frank to his girlfriend. A new enterprise for David too, re-composing for lovebirds XD. Really good from the Aeolian ensemble to realise the original and modified pieces. So happy for for Frank at such a young age to hear a piece of his played by real life musicians. I'll be dead soon and have accepted that I will never have this rare privilege.

[@frankjdrensen3958]

That's so sweet! Thank you. I was really glad too!

[@usbsnake1436]

That thumbnail is so true... that's exactly what it feels like only musicians could know the utter sadness of not being able to figure out how to write the rhythm that's in your head

[@Silks]

I can't think of a sweeter gift to give an aspiring composer

[@tfofurn]

So many lovely energies gathered here... Frank, Mieke, the original composition, David's rework, the generosity of the ensemble, and the exuberance of the reaction. This is a very tranquil and uplifting half hour!

[@clems6belio]

I've never watched something so wholesome, litterally what Patreon is all about. Thanks so much Bruce.

[@ameier2410]

I enjoyed watching this video as I am a beginner composer myself. I'd love to see more of these videos as this video was very enlightening to me

[@UprightJoe]

Anybody who has a boxed set of Fawlty Towers videos clearly has impeccable taste and will do just fine in their life and career.

[@synapticschism]

I have no words to describe how much I love this video. Everything about it is so beautiful and inspiring, from the music to the human interactions. Amazing!

[@donovan665]

Love how you emphasised not knowing what we are doing, how an accidental mistake can open whole new sounds, embrace them...gifts from the music gods.

[@kalgan9489]

I bow my knee before your work. It's amazing !

[@marshalsea000]

What a lovely chap and his partner. Lovely little song originally as well. Also brilliant selection of shelf content there. Top man!

[@krouchingtigerr]

The metaphors of both compositions are so beautiful. The original, being the more pure, innocent (perhaps naive?) romance. The revised composition a more sophisticated, nuanced (perhaps experienced?) love. I was moved by both. Bravo!

[@TokyoFreeze]

You're a very talented and kind person, Mr. Bruce. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.

[@YanickFM]

I loove this idea! It's entertaining but it also helps a lot of the advice really stick when you have such a solid example of taking a beginner work to the next step By the way I hope frank continues to make music. He has a really good ear for melody it seems like

[@CaseyFulton-n4y]

The need for "treading water moments" and being open to keep creative "accidents" are great tips.

[@sui604]

great introduction to the world of composing! thanks for the inspo!!!

[@jaijeffcom]

What a brilliant video concept. Saved in my reference playlist. I intend to apply exactly all of these in my next composition.

[@martifingers]

What an amazing example of talent being nurtured by a fine composer who is also a great listener...

[@MsJantje666]

I don't know why but this video made me cry. Such a beautiful and heartwarming piece. The overall wholesomenes level of this video was off the charts.

[@JDAMorley]

This is wonderful! Just today I had that serendipitous moment: I recorded my daughter singing into Cubase, and dragged the part she sang to another place in the piece, so as not to have to bother her to sing it again, then used time stretching to rallentando her voice. Because I didn't render in place this accidentally compressed the following line in her original take to make a pleasing staccato effect! I would never have thought to add that effect myself...

[@danielvenzuela]

Excellent, I will show this video with my students! It is very good learning. Hello from Bolivia

[@breearbor4275]

what a wonderful idea, you could make this a series! very instructional, and very heartwarming to see his reactions

[@hobojofo2196]

This reminds me of a saying one of my composition professors says often, put 5 composers in a room and give them a motif or subject and they will go in so many directions none of which expected. Its a thing of beauty! Much congratulations to both of you on a brilliant piece!

[@roninsrealm8150]

I got emotional for a second watching this! you treated his work with such care & provided valuable insight at the same time, this was extremely inspiring to watch.

[@lbird2]

This was wonderful. You are producing some of the best content in this field. Finally we can see KZbin being put to good use.

[@RobertWildling]

Beyond the musical/compositional journey of this really exceptional video it was even more the humanity between all those people who come together. I wish this kind of cooperation, exchange of ideas, understanding of each other, providing and giving time for being expressive etc. would happen everywhere! Times would be way more peaceful, loving and simply way more interesting!

[@marcoixca]

Wow, what a video, what a great idea, what a piece, what a moment. Great stuff David!!!!!

[@mta1864]

Great video! Very cool to explore the differing levels of sophistication between a beginner and an expert. You certainly fleshed out Frank's ideas and made a more mature sounding piece. Lots of great ideas were in play there. I must say, though, that I think I like the original version better. And it's not an issue of quality so much as context. The fact that I experienced the music as part of this video colored how I heard the music. When I heard the original, I was thinking, "This is Frank's love song to his girlfriend." When I heard your piece, David, because you broke down the creation process before playing the finished version, I heard "here's a bunch of techniques which are meant to improve this music." Its emotion was a little lost on me because I was in technique appreciation mode. Also, from a structural standpoint, I liked that in the original, the flute carried the melody the whole time. It felt to me like that was Frank's voice and here's what he had to say to Mieke. With your arrangement, I felt like everyone was talking too much. Again, this is not a knock on your version as it's quite lovely and Frank and Mieke certainly loved it as well. Perhaps if I'd heard the music by itself first before discussing the technical aspects, I would have had a different reaction. Thanks! God bless! Mike Arguelles

[@mysty_nyx]

I saw your comment while listening to Frank’s version, so I had the opportunity to skip forward to hear the redone version without slipping into the technique mindset. I agree. Frank’s version is better. Of course, this is personal taste and opinion, but nonetheless. The focus on a singular instrument as the leading melody really made the piece feel a lot more personal. I understand switching it up and giving other instruments a spotlight, but this didn’t feel like the right piece for that. At least, not in the fashion he redid it. It made it feel like, as you said, everyone was talking at once. There was a very graceful sway in Frank’s version that got really muddied and, at some points, completely washed out like in the climax. It’s not as subtle (might not be quite the word I’m searching for, but close enough), which makes it feel less gentle and endearing. It’s still a wonderful piece, and it definitely added some much needed changes like allowing for better breathing, but it didn’t hit the mark for me.

[@mta1864]

@@mysty_nyx Glad you were able to experience both pieces in a more or less unfiltered form. It shows the strength of Frank's original piece that it still held up against David's version even without extra distractions.

[@petranassphotography]

Oh this is so beautiful and also a lovely couple - you made my day.

[@aaronzacharyreed6163]

David, this is my new favorite video of yours! I'm also an amateur composer studying physics, so a part of me felt like you were talking to me! Also, Frank and Mieke are a super cute couple. So happy that Frank got to experience the thrill of hearing one of his compositions performed; there's nothing like it!

[@hayskeys]

Their reactions to hearing the arrangement was adorable 🥰 what a beautiful thing to have created and to witness.

[@justnigel]

Great content David (and Aeolian Winds and Frank). I felt I have just sat through a master class. Please do this again.

[@Overlycomplicatedswede]

both of you shared 2 things, a great sense of humor and a very big passion for music! Frank if you see this, Ich habe Ihr Stück sehr genossen, ehrlich gesagt, sehr schöne Arbeit. Love from a Swedish bass trombonist/intermediate composer!

[@toksvig136]

What a great fit Frank was for this video, super kind and talented

[@Butlinsgvn6]

Frank's piece was beautiful and you really helped him develop what was great about it. A lovely and humane masterclass in composition! I hope you'll do many more like it

[@lovewithoutthelover]

Wow, what a lovely video and lovely couple!! Excellent idea and to see Frank’s gleeful reaction to his music being played in real life was so sweet.

[@RicardoMartinez-oh9sq]

What is exciting to me as a classically trained man is to hear not chamber music from long ago, but composed and arranged at this time in history. This entire endeavor is very, very sweet, thanks a million, from the USA.

[@richardgoss4777]

This sounds like a mozart phrasing. It's a lovely piece.