I'm a student in the UK, and a big fan of Poets Of The Fall. I attend a music college, and I've set myself an interesting project; to compose orchestral (no guitars/drums/electronics, just strings, wind, piano and vocal) covers of POTF songs. I think the lyrics to their songs are so transcendental, that a really "pure" re-stylization of some their work could produce some cool results.

Since everyone on this forum seems to have been POTF fans longer than I have (since playing Alan Wake) I thought I'd ask which songs you think would be best to have orchestral versions of? It looks like I'll only have the time to arrange something like three, and the decision is killing me. If it works out, I'll be definitely be sharing them on YouTube or something.

Looking forward to seeing what you all think, even if it's that you just don't like the idea.

If you can manage to make orchestral versions of some songs from POTF I find you pretty amazing! I'd say Carnival of Rust! That would sound beautiful...

This is awesome! As a violinist in a symphony orchestra, I find the idea beyond exciting. Personally, I think Dawn would be absolutely gorgeous arranged for an orchestra. Anything from the Signs of Life album would be beautiful actually, since it was a pretty melodic album. Heal My Wounds would also be beautiful for maybe just piano and cello or something like that.

Good luck! I applaud thee.

i love potf and i love orchestra:
songs that would be great in orchestra:
-War (considering it's pretty orchestra-is)
-given and denied
-heal my wounds
-you're still here
-Carnival of rust
-dawn
-change
-illusion and dream
imo

I hope this wasn't an April Fools prank because this topic was posted 2 minutes before midnight on 01 April...... (at least my net is showing that)

Of course it might bring more publicity if you used only the famous songs. For example Locking Up the Sun would sound quite epic with all the beginning "explosion" sounds... In addition, War and Late Goodbye have been in famous games and they would make great orchestral versions as well.... Then maybe ballads like Sleep.... And then some rocky songs like Revolution Roulette could sound rather pompous..............

In the end it's you who makes the final decision......

This isn't an April Fool's prank! But I think I should make it clear that this will a) take some time, as in, it would be fatal to hold your breath for it, and b) unless I'm very lucky, I won't get to work with a real orchestra. I'm just a music theory nerd with access to some professional music software courtesy of my college.

Thanks for the suggestions, they're definitely helping me narrow it down. It looks like I'll go ahead with Dawn, and will probably do at least one more (possibly something a bit more challenging to interpret into symphonic music). I don't really care about how famous the songs are; I'm not looking to make a name for myself, plus next to no-one where I live has heard of the Poets.

yeah. we'll be waiting and of course, real symphony orchestra would take a fortune to make. good luck brother!

and i'm in the same situation with you. everyone in where i live has ever heard about poets. but we have a great fellow fanbase here! if someone could srpead poet's art , it's us! and poets themselves!

That's a great idea

Where do we draw the line would be beautiful, I think

Well, it looks as though I'm able go ahead with this. I've chosen a song from each of the four albums-

1) Illusion and Dream
2) Carnival of Rust
3) Where Do We Draw the Line
4) Given and Denied

As I've already said, this'll be slow going, but I'll post on this topic when there's any interesting developments.

These are amazing choices, expecially illusion/dream and given and denied which I think are really prone to an orchestral cover!!!

pretty good choices. i'd really listen to "war" but yours are awesome too. and don't worry, there're always enough time to wait so take your time. (except if i die tomorrow )

Where in the UK are you based and which college do you go to?
I've studied music in London for over 5 years and now I've just finished up recording my bands EP.

Love your choices, though Where Do We Draw the Line isn't particularly Revolution-Roulette'ey. (That so needs to go in the dictionary.)

Good choices, look forward to Given and Denied!

Nice. I can notice that this topic is pretty old, but the idea of transposing Poets music into orchestral versions is great in my opinion, since I am a classical music lover.
If I think of what songs I would choose, these fit best with symphonic sound in my opinion:

The beautiful ones
Where do we draw the line
All the way for you
You're still here
Cradled in love

And I see Carnival of rust played not quite like a classical melody, but like some kind of Apocalyptica style, I mean the cello sound is needed there, as intensive effect.