Carl Nielsen, Symphony No 5, Sibelius/Noteperformer virtual performance video score

Created using Sibelius music notation software (Version 7.1.3 First) and the Noteperformer 3 sounds engine. I made a separate .sib file and .wmv video for each of the two movements, then combined them as a single MP4.

The Sibelius Mixer allows only one setting per file, so I did the best I could to obtain a reasonable balance between instrument volumes in each movement. In addition I used hidden dynamics (~f, ~ff etc) to adjust volume, and also the midi ensemble message to increase the notional number of solo instruments for example, ~C104,2 on the Horn stave should sound like 2 Horns. Even so, it's sometimes difficult to get it right everywhere, for example woodwinds sometimes don't punch through as much as I would like.

This version of Sibelius only allows a maximum of 16 staves, so in order to include all instruments in the first movement, I have merged divisi parts onto single staves using Sibelius' Voices (Woodwind, Horns, Trumpets, Violins I and II, Cellos and Contrabass ). The snare drum (which famously battles with the orchestra) and tambourine are included on the single Drum Set stave. The second movement includes Clarinets in both A and Bb.

The audio lags behind the green line cursor due to the processing delay in exporting the audio from Sibelius/Noteperformer. This is noticeable (up to about 2 bars) in the faster passages.

For many more pieces (Rachmaninov, Beethoven, Mahler, Strauss and more) see my playlist    • Classical pieces realised using Sibel...  

00:00 Mvt I: Tempo giusto
10:40 Mvt I: Adagio non troppo
18:07 Mvt II: Allegro
23:45 Mvt II: Presto
27:12 Mvt II: Andante un poco tranquillo
29:49 Mvt II: Allegro