Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Activity 2021
“Balancing Light & Dark“
Noah Eckstein
Senior, Music Composition
Abstract
Balancing Light & Dark was composed as if it were the overture for a fantasy/adventure film, with different motifs that act as themes for each of the characters. The title refers to the classic dilemma that many protagonists face: trying to find equilibrium between good and evil, and learning to live with both of them.
Project Background
I chose to pursue this work because I seek a career in film composition, and this is a way to explore that medium. The original composition was completed as a piece for full orchestra in November 2020. However, because of COVID-19 protocols, the UW Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra currently performs with only strings and percussion (non-aerosol producing instruments). To fit that ensemble, I reorchestrated the work, taking the music originally composed for brass and woodwind instruments and arranging it for strings, piano, harp, and percussion. Reorchestrating the composition was a challenging and time-consuming endeavor, but has resulted in great success. This newly orchestrated piece has already received recognition and was selected as a winner of the 2021 UW Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. It will be performed and recorded by the UWO Symphony Orchestra this spring. I hope that every listener can find something that they enjoy in this piece. I would like to thank my composition professor Dr. John Mayrose for helping me bring this piece to fruition.
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34 Comments
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Absolutely incredible! Wonderful work!
Thank you! 🙂
This is epic, Noah! I didn’t know that the version we are learning in orchestra was a reorchestration. I enjoyed listening to this original conception of the piece, and hearing the differences between the two versions! Fantastic work!
Thanks, Josh! Reorchestrating the piece was a daunting task, but I am very satisfied with the end result. On top of that, you guys are playing it so well!! Thanks again 🙂
Oh my what a moving piece I guess we’re going to have to watch credits from now on because I’m sure in the near future we will see your name roll. I’m glad you put that note in about no brass because that’s exactly what I said to Jeff was all I hear is the strings and some light percussion. Still a fabulous work! Hopefully at some point we will be able to hear your original score with the woodwinds & brass too. I would think it is just as moving but with a different strength.
So proud of you Noah! Congratulations, can’t wait to see where you go! ❤️
Thank you <3
Wow, Noah, this is amazing. This is the first composition I have heard of yours and it is truly breathtaking. Keep working towards your goal because you are truly going places!
That means a lot, Maggie. Thank you so much. <3
This is fantastic! I could definitely see this being used in a film and working well with the genre you mention. Good job, Noah.
Thanks, Devin! 🙂
What a powerful piece of music! Great job and good luck after graduation!
Thank you!
Fantastic job!! This piece and all of your others always amaze me! I love playing your music and can’t wait for your next composition❤️
Thank you, Isabel <3
Congratulations on all your hard work, Noah! This has been so much fun to prepare in orchestra, and it was really cool to hear it’s original form with the full orchestration. I think you did a really great job communicating the drama of the light/dark archetype.
Thank you, Elsa! I’m glad that the meaning of the piece was clear to you. I’m excited to hear you guys perform it!
Noah, that was beautiful and so powerful! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you enjoyed it. 🙂
Very cool piece Noah. It has been fun to watch your gift for composition take wings these past few years. You write beautifully and I can’t wait to hear what’s next! Good luck in grad school, and congratulations!
Thanks Dr. Shaw, I really appreciate it. Thank you for all of your insights into writing for percussion and orchestra in general; I couldn’t have done it without you. 🙂
I really enjoyed listening! Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
Thank you! 🙂
This piece is amazing! I’m sure it took a ton of worth, but the result is unbelievable!
I apologize worth was supposed to be work.
It was very challenging, but the end result always make it worth it. Thank you <3
Noah this piece is amazing. You mentioned wanting to compose for films in your introduction and I was able to create several different little scenes in my head to go along with this piece. Well done, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks for checking it out, Nolan! 🙂
Noah, what an incredible piece. It’s cinematic and full of heart. I truly can’t wait to hear your future music as a highly skilled composer.
And I cannot wait to see what YOU do in the future! Thanks, Molly <3
Noah, I was literally bouncing in my seat because I was so blown away by how amazing this is! It definitely sounds like it could be the score for an action/adventure movie. It is so powerful and exciting and lively, it just flowed from one theme to another so nicely. I absolutely love this! Congratulations on winning the contest!!! It is well deserved! I can’t wait to hear what you will come up with in the future.
Thank you for the nice comments, Olivia. I really appreciate it! 🙂
I am so proud of you, Noah! This piece is amazing!!
I know my comment is late but, I really like that piece it was very beautifully mixed. I would love to meet. My name is Samuel Ayoade I’m a computer science major but I’m a music producer as well and I would please love to sample parts of this symphony into another style of music. Great job, I hope you’re fine with me flipping it. I will credit you for sure.