And here, you will have to admit it is over-used. The use of copy-paste is OK unless used too much. Even worse, there could be lack of skills as well - I hope this is not the problem with Gjeilo in general even though I have become quite familiar with his music and I generaly don't like it very much. The stereotypical gestures show either the composer's fear of being 'too difficult' to understand from the first listening (which prevents the composer to be more creative and original). Morivou, you ask questions like an amateur even though I believe you are asking such questions on purpose. I think it's fun when people use things that aren't bad to justify why they are bad. Why does a good work have to have more than the emotional element? And, is there anything wrong with stereotypical gestures? Ola is a pop composer, but he likes to be in the classical forum. What do you think about this piece, and other pieces like it? Do you enjoy it? Even though it is 'simple'? Almost 'pop' at times? Just something interesting to discuss. Where music transcends the actual notes being played, and reaches a level of ecstasy that music can bring out. Even some of Beethoven's pieces where he was just writing glorified banging on the piano are Emotionalism. If it's popular with high school band/choir. Other composers might be Tarik O'Regan (sometimes), Eric Whitacre, Frank Ticheli, etc. Very much about Emotionalism (which is what I call music like this. I put Gjeilo's music with the likes of Meredith Monk's and/or John Adams. Or, isn't about the music, but rather about the emotions it evokes. There is a criticism of Gjeilo's music (who is a graduate of the composition program at JUILLIARD, mind you) that it is too 'blah' without direction. but rather an almost renaissance splattering of emotion that encompasses the whole poem in each section of the piece. I think it is a beautiful expression of the text, even if it's not set 'word for word' text painting.

Ola gjeilo night