Hey Fred,
I don't want it to sound like I'm dissing the rough draft, but at first I wasn't too impressed with it: just thought it a normal, un-exciting piece. But when I heard the orchestral version, I was stunned, it was so beautiful! As quite a lot of the serious music I listen to is orchestral, so I can see that it can be improved, but this second draft is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. Maj7's have always had a kinda special place in my soul, but you use them in a way that compliments that beauty. And I have to say, I fell in love with the timpani roll in measure 31. Cant wait till the day it's finished! (and I cant wait for the day I can write orchestral music too. Its somewhere in my future, that's for sure!)
~Daniel