This is the Eposette Sonatina (as opposed to a Sonata, because I think I played a bit too fast and loose with the form to call it that) I've been working on as a steal for @lesmisshippingshowdown ! It was a bit of a rush job since I only started it last week, but if you listen I hope you enjoy! I like to give a narrative to the music I write, so I've posted an 'analysis' explaining the narrative of this Sonatina under the read more of each movement - warning: it gets long! Bear in mind, it's going to be a very vague plot since it's just the idea of what's going on in the music, not a fully developed story
Before I start with an analysis of the movements, I want to break down the instrumentation. The brass and woodwind instruments are each meant to be the "voice" of a specific character, while the string and percussion are the accompaniment generally either representing the physical or emotional atmosphere. The instruments used are
Piccolo - This is Cosette's instrument. I chose it because of it's clear, cheerful, and bird-like tone that I thought suited her.
Oboe - This is Eponine's instrument. I wanted an instrument with a lower range and more "scratchy" sound than the Piccolo, both because of how Eponine's voice is described, and because I think it suits her personality.
Bassoon - This is Valjean's instrument. I want it to be a low-pitched instrument, with a warm sound. Originally I considered the Double Bass but I decided I wanted him to be a woodwind like Cosette.
Trumpet - Gavroche! Trumpets can sound both playful and heroic, which I thought was perfect for him. Also, his first appearance in the Sonatina is to annoy Eponine, which I feel suits a Trumpet pretty well.
Saxophone - Thenardier. So fun fact, to write this song I used MuseScore, which anyone who uses it will tell you... the soundfonts for the instruments are not the best, so I used the free BBC Sounds Orchestra plugin to make the instruments sound 1. more like the actual instruments and 2. prettier. Guess what instrument the plugin doesn't have. The Saxophone. I think it works though, the other instruments have a much smoother sound while the Saxophone comes in sounding abrasive, which was my intention anyways for choosing this instrument. I debated using a different instrument because technically the Saxophone wasn't invented until after Eponine died in canon, but I just feel like it's sound is so good for Thenardier.
French Horn - Javert. Brass instruments have a bit of an association with authority in Europe, so I knew I wanted him to be brass. I already gave the Trumpet to Gavroche (for completely different reasons), and I thought the Tuba was too low and the Trombone was too welcoming for Javert so... French Horn!
Harp - The Harp is the only constant in the entire Sonatina. It's there more for atmosphere, but to me it alternates between being Paris, water, and the sky.
Viola, Cello - Originally added to the score by mistake, but I decided to keep them!
Violin, Double Bass - I won't lie to you, I added these because the final movement felt too hollow without them. They can represent whatever you want, their real purpose is just to make the song sound more whole and warm.
Celesta - Generally, the night sky.
Glockenspiel - Generally, stars (in their multitudes).
None of the movements have all of these instruments at once, The first two movements have three instruments each, the third movement has everything but the Violin, Double Bass, Celesta, and Glockenspiel, and the final movement has everything but the French Horn and Saxophone.
Instruments: Piccolo, Oboe, Harp
0:00 - 0:05 : This first bit of melody here is inspired by the sound of lark song, I though it would be a nice idea for her melody.
0:00 - 0:22 : This is the introduction to Cosette, the melody is largely quick in rhythm to try and convey her personality as being cheerful a full of love of life.
0:22 - 0:47 : This is the transition to the B section, I imagine this as being a transition along the streets of Paris from where Cosette is to where Eponine is.
0:47 - 0:54 : This is Eponine's theme. It's slower in rhythm and largely descending to try and portray the underlying sadness in her life.
1:00 - 1:24 : Here Eponine pulls herself into a cheerful mood and bumps into Cosette.
1:24 - 1:51 : Eponine and Cosette, not recognizing each other, have a brief pleasant conversation.
1:52 - 2:01 : They introduce each other, Eponine gives Cosette one of the letters from her father asking for money.
2:01 - 2:12 : Both girls begin to find each other familiar.
2:12 - 2:17 : Eponine realizes who Cosette is. The Oboe plays a dissonant note as Eponine's kneejerk response is a mix of jealousy and resentment.
2:17 - 2:25 : Eponine tries to shut down her initial reaction, realizing that in their switched positions Cosette is much kinder than Eponine was.
2:25 - 2:30 : Eponine half admits who she is.
2:38 - 2:51 : Cosette realizes who Eponine is, and in doing so remembers her childhood and panics.
2:52 - 3:15 : Cosette's theme has returned, but now in a minor key. What she has remembered has thrown her off, and made her feel off center.
3:15 - 3:34 : Transition to the Thenardiers residence.
3:34 - 3:51 : Eponine reflects on the encounter with Cosette, feeling like shit about it.
3:51 - 3:55 : Cosette's little motif plays at the end to show that both of them are on each other's minds.
Instruments: Oboe, Harp, Trumpet
00:00 - 00:14 : Eponine is reflecting on her childhood with Cosette, feeling uneasy, the melody ends with a reference to Cosette's two note motif.
00:14 - 00:31 : Eponine realizes the unease is guilt, and that she doesn't know how to excuse it.
00:31 - 00:36 : Just as Eponine starts to really work herself up, Gavroche appears.
00:36 - 00:44 : Not knowing what's bothering her, Gavroche mimics Eponine's moping.
00:45 - 00:46 : She snaps at him.
00:46 - 1:00 : Gavroche gets Eponine to admit what's bothering her
1:00 - 1:07 Gavroche essentially says "oh well", since there's nothing that she can do about it now, and tells her to not be a dick to Cosette if they run into each other.
1:07 - 1:23 : Eponine agrees with him, he brags about being wise which she thinks is funny, and they sit together.
This movement is traditionally a Minuet & Trio in a Sonata. I've swapped the Minuet for a Bourree, and this is ironically the first movement in my sonatina to NOT be a trio.
Instruments: Piccolo, Harp, Bassoon, Viola, Violin, Oboe, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn
00:00 - 01:05 : Cosette reflects on her childhood and her current life The melody starts with a version of Eponine's motif, but with the notes played at half the rhythmic value, as Eponine is on her mind.
01:05 - 01:19 - Cosette calls for Valjean and asks him about her childhood. He is evasive, Here, the viola and cello pass a contrasting melody back and forth to show the clashing between what Cosette wants Valjean to tell her and what he wants to tell her.
01:19 - 01:39 : Cosette admits to Valjean that she remembers some things, and reassures him that she can handle whatever he isn't telling hre.
01:39 - 02:14 : In the repeat, Valjean tells her what he can without mentioning his own past. She realizes he is still hiding something, but he assures her that it has nothing to do with her and he will tell her eventually. Reassured, Cosette feels secure in her identity and makes peace with her memories.
02:14 - 02:28 : Cosette thinks on it and decides she is glad to have run into Eponine since it gave her the clarity of remembering how she came to live with Valjean.
2:28 - 2:37 : Upon remembering Eponine, Cosette feels sympathy for her situation.
2:38 - 2:47 : She remembers the letter Eponine gave her, adn decides to go with Valjean to offer them help.
2:48 - 2:54 : This new section is a waltz, since it features Thenardier I thought it would be fun to reference his songs in the musical. Cosette and Valjean arrive at the Thenardier's, where they exchange pleasantries with Thenardier and Eponine.
2:54 - 3:07 : Thenardier begins to recognize Valjean. Valjean, Eponine, and Cosette all try to evade this.
3:07 - 3:18 : While note convinced, Thenardier allows them to keep up the charade.
3:18 - 3:27 : Thenardier realizes who Cosette and Valjean are.
3:27 - 3:30 : Thenardier attempts to blackmail Valjean. Gavroche arrives on the scene.
3:30 - 3:34 : Valjean and Eponine try to bluff their way out of it. Gavroche realizes what's happening.
3:41 - 3:44 : Thenardier insists he knows them while Cosette and Valjean continue trying to deny it. Eponine threatens to scream for the cops if he doesn't leave them alone. He continues
3:44 - 3:48 : Eponine screams. Javert can be heard approaching. Thenardier panics.
3:48 - 3:50 : Just as Javert is about to arrive on the scene, Eponine, Gavroche, Cosette, and Valjean flee.
3:51 - 4:11 : Javert confronts Thenardier, who tries to talk his way out of the situation. Both instruments play some dissonant notes to portray how each of them is threatening in their own way.
4:15 - 4:44 : Cosette, Eponine, Valjean, and Gavroche have a conversation as they are secure that they were not followed.
4:44 - 5:20 : Cosette and Eponine discuss their shared past, making it clear to each other that there is no underlying resentment.
5:22 - 5:57 : Cosette reflects on the past few events, finding that even though it was scary she feels content knowing it's behind her. Valjean is just happy that she's happy.
I've run out of time to post the analysis! Safe to say, it's mostly just Eponine and Cosette continuing to meet with each other and their relationship growing romantic. When you hear the Bassoon that means Valjean is interacting with them, when you hear the Trumpet then Gavroche is there. The first section takes place in Cosette's garden where her and Eponine have a pleasant conversation, during the first waltz it's meant to show that Eponine is on friendly terms with Valjean as well and is regularly around as Cosettes friend. The first time the trumpet plays it's Gavroche popping up to tease his sister, but he quickly gets distracted by talking a mile a minute to Valjean. After that each section is essentially just Eponine and Cosette growing closer and their relationship becoming romantic.
Instruments: Harp, Celesta, Glockenspiel, Oboe, Piccolo, Violas, Cellos, Violins, Double Basses, Bassoon, and Trumpet.
EDIT: I realized that the player might not showing how long the song is, so the final movement is 7:55 according to musescore