Happy to announce the readiness of my latest Electronica/Ambient track
called 'Dusk at the Dark Prairie' which is demo track for the fantastic #XFerSerum preset bank by Brandon Clark.
The sound pack can be bought here: http://eclipse-sound.com/56/17/serum/dark-prairie56-detail
It is an excellent quality and a huge value for bucks. Using it
drove me further and further into its delicacies. Even just for starter
one or two of its sweeping waves brought the sonic panorama to full
power.
Also back in the meantime, a classical, symphonic soundtrack piece was ready and released on SoundCloud. It's about the wonderful autumn period in the Continental climate zone where I live. I hope you enjoy the 'colors' of this composition as well.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Friday, August 7, 2015
New classical/epic singles on SoundCloud
I've been ever wandering to new areas, new topics, new mixtures of genres, motifs and impressions, and in the last few months, since publishing "Symphonic Tales of the Silmarilli" I've been busy with the composition and production of 3 new tracks that mix classical orchestration with various other elements from rock to electronica. The starting point is always the same: melodic storytelling with context, build-ups, morphing from one idea to other, yet holding the whole together in the frame of one uniting story.
So let them stand here in this new post, in order of creation.
First was very much inspired by my personal life happenings, not going into unnecessary details, it was a highly happy, energetic and yet harmonious time. It's called "Dawn of Fate", and is a mixture of symphonic music, electronica and rock.
Second one is my first attempt at mixing Carpathian, Hungarian elements into classical hybrid style music, with electronic elements. It's called "Dance of Warriors" and is based around an ancient Transylvanian folk song.
Third one is for a compilation at Radio Rivendell (check that station out, fantasy music 7/24 http://radiorivendell.com/), and it's called "Fire and Water at the End of the World". This one has a lot of changing, morphing parts, several ideas. Again many rock and even gothic metal elements are present. It's a tragicomic take on the end of the world topic, bit a la Fallout.
So let them stand here in this new post, in order of creation.
First was very much inspired by my personal life happenings, not going into unnecessary details, it was a highly happy, energetic and yet harmonious time. It's called "Dawn of Fate", and is a mixture of symphonic music, electronica and rock.
Second one is my first attempt at mixing Carpathian, Hungarian elements into classical hybrid style music, with electronic elements. It's called "Dance of Warriors" and is based around an ancient Transylvanian folk song.
Third one is for a compilation at Radio Rivendell (check that station out, fantasy music 7/24 http://radiorivendell.com/), and it's called "Fire and Water at the End of the World". This one has a lot of changing, morphing parts, several ideas. Again many rock and even gothic metal elements are present. It's a tragicomic take on the end of the world topic, bit a la Fallout.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
"Symphonic Tales of the Silmarilli" - the next long play album is finally here
And it's here. Final editing and
mastering has been finished and the first form of digital distribution
has started on BandCamp. Be among the firsts to grab 'Symphonic Tales of
the Silmarilli'
Months of work has now come to a milestone. While the story is not yet over, as this is the first cycle of the Symphonic Tales, but this amassed material was shouting for release, before venturing onwards to the stories of the newly coming races of Arda, the First Born and the others to follow them. While that's not in my plans to start it immediately after this release, it's on the road map.
https://palzoltanilles.bandcamp.com/album/symphonic-tales-of-the-silmarilli
#epicmusic #indiemusic #tolkien #silmarillion #mythology #genesis #valar #archangels #ainilundale #valaquenta
Months of work has now come to a milestone. While the story is not yet over, as this is the first cycle of the Symphonic Tales, but this amassed material was shouting for release, before venturing onwards to the stories of the newly coming races of Arda, the First Born and the others to follow them. While that's not in my plans to start it immediately after this release, it's on the road map.
https://palzoltanilles.bandcamp.com/album/symphonic-tales-of-the-silmarilli
#epicmusic #indiemusic #tolkien #silmarillion #mythology #genesis #valar #archangels #ainilundale #valaquenta
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Eight Movement: Oromë, The Hunter Lord - Compositional Diary
Here rides the hunter lord on his stallion Nahar, he, the Horn-Blower, menace to all the dark creatures of Arda and Morgoth. The one who remained most time on Arda before returning to Valinor.
"During the Years of the Trees, after most of the Valar had withdrawn completely from Middle-earth and hidden themselves in Aman, Oromë still hunted in the forests of Middle-earth on occasion. Thus, he was responsible for finding the elves when they awoke at Cuivienen, and the first to name them the Eldar.[3]
Being a powerful huntsman, he was active in the struggles against Morgoth. He had a great horn called the Valaróma and a great steed named Nahar.[2] Huan, a Hound from Valinor, once belonged to him and was later given to Celegorm, one of the Sons of Fëanor.[4]
" - source: http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Orom%C3%AB
The composition is mixing a few characteristic themes...after starting out with an intense, quite arrhythmic part it goes into a strong choral part introduced with fine staccato clarinet runs and a heavy marcato strings section. It depicts the fearless Vala archangel's might and furious hunting powers that swept through the forests of Arda even in the most menacing times when the Shadow of Morgoth was creeping over. After a small bridging part comes the more heroic, positively uplifting part culminating in a quick arpeggio of violin runs to give the over the edge burst, and depicting the majestic nature of the divine being. To accentuate the main melody, celesta is hitting up the beats of the brass melody, and a quick marcato of the string ensemble is following all through in the background. The main theme is also repeated by a choral part. After all this, a variation of the first powerful choral part is heightening the tension before the brass melodic uplifting line is returning with grace to win over, and thus the piece ends.
"During the Years of the Trees, after most of the Valar had withdrawn completely from Middle-earth and hidden themselves in Aman, Oromë still hunted in the forests of Middle-earth on occasion. Thus, he was responsible for finding the elves when they awoke at Cuivienen, and the first to name them the Eldar.[3]
Being a powerful huntsman, he was active in the struggles against Morgoth. He had a great horn called the Valaróma and a great steed named Nahar.[2] Huan, a Hound from Valinor, once belonged to him and was later given to Celegorm, one of the Sons of Fëanor.[4]
" - source: http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Orom%C3%AB
The composition is mixing a few characteristic themes...after starting out with an intense, quite arrhythmic part it goes into a strong choral part introduced with fine staccato clarinet runs and a heavy marcato strings section. It depicts the fearless Vala archangel's might and furious hunting powers that swept through the forests of Arda even in the most menacing times when the Shadow of Morgoth was creeping over. After a small bridging part comes the more heroic, positively uplifting part culminating in a quick arpeggio of violin runs to give the over the edge burst, and depicting the majestic nature of the divine being. To accentuate the main melody, celesta is hitting up the beats of the brass melody, and a quick marcato of the string ensemble is following all through in the background. The main theme is also repeated by a choral part. After all this, a variation of the first powerful choral part is heightening the tension before the brass melodic uplifting line is returning with grace to win over, and thus the piece ends.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Seventh Movement: Aulë, Smith of the Valar - Compositional Diary
At last the seventh movement of the Symphonic Tales of the Silmarillion cycle is ready! Portraying Aulë, creator of the land masses of Arda, father of the Dwarves. He was the divine master of crafts, smithing many things, among them the Chains of Melkor. Link
"As Aulë is a smith, he is the Vala most similar in thought and powers to Melkor, in that they each gloried in the fashioning of artful and original things. Both also came to create beings of their own. But while Aulë strove to be true to the original intent of the Music of the Ainur, and submitted all that he did to the will of Ilúvatar, Melkor wished to control and subvert all things, and was jealous of the creations of others so that he would try to twist or destroy all that they made. There was long strife between Aulë and Melkor both before and after the creation of Arda. Aulë, however, traditionally opposed attempts to fight Melkor, for fear of the damage that would be wrought to Arda.
When the Elves came to Valinor, the Ñoldor became the students of Aulë. Fëanor was his greatest pupil, and from him learned to make gems through craftsmanship that is now forgotten. This would eventually lead to the Silmarils, the greatest creation of handiwork within Arda. On the Flight of the Noldor, the Noldor who returned to Valinor under Finarfin named themselves the Aulendur, Followers of Aulë. Despite his lordly skill, Aulë is humble and compassionate, and indeed the Dwarves survived only because Aulë submitted them to the will of Ilúvatar. His spouse is Yavanna, with whom he dwells in central Valinor." -- http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aul%C3%AB
The arrangement is heavily relying on choral parts, especially accented on the bass section of the choir, representing the dwarven folk who He created.
It consists of two main characteristic parts: first one is depicting the more serious, epic nature of this divine figure. At start the choirs are going light accompanied by some wind and stringed instruments playing piano, then switching to a higher gear with the epic Godzilla hits and some quick string runs and brass progressions.
The second part is giving a cheerful salutation to the archangel with quickly evolving melody in the forte part and slower choral parts, both in a graceful, light and positive context.
Hope you'll enjoy it!
"As Aulë is a smith, he is the Vala most similar in thought and powers to Melkor, in that they each gloried in the fashioning of artful and original things. Both also came to create beings of their own. But while Aulë strove to be true to the original intent of the Music of the Ainur, and submitted all that he did to the will of Ilúvatar, Melkor wished to control and subvert all things, and was jealous of the creations of others so that he would try to twist or destroy all that they made. There was long strife between Aulë and Melkor both before and after the creation of Arda. Aulë, however, traditionally opposed attempts to fight Melkor, for fear of the damage that would be wrought to Arda.
When the Elves came to Valinor, the Ñoldor became the students of Aulë. Fëanor was his greatest pupil, and from him learned to make gems through craftsmanship that is now forgotten. This would eventually lead to the Silmarils, the greatest creation of handiwork within Arda. On the Flight of the Noldor, the Noldor who returned to Valinor under Finarfin named themselves the Aulendur, Followers of Aulë. Despite his lordly skill, Aulë is humble and compassionate, and indeed the Dwarves survived only because Aulë submitted them to the will of Ilúvatar. His spouse is Yavanna, with whom he dwells in central Valinor." -- http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aul%C3%AB
The arrangement is heavily relying on choral parts, especially accented on the bass section of the choir, representing the dwarven folk who He created.
It consists of two main characteristic parts: first one is depicting the more serious, epic nature of this divine figure. At start the choirs are going light accompanied by some wind and stringed instruments playing piano, then switching to a higher gear with the epic Godzilla hits and some quick string runs and brass progressions.
The second part is giving a cheerful salutation to the archangel with quickly evolving melody in the forte part and slower choral parts, both in a graceful, light and positive context.
Hope you'll enjoy it!
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Monday, March 16, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Fifth and Sixth Movement: Elbereth & Melkor - Compositional Diary
The portraits continued! First released Elbereth, also known as Varda, wife of Manwë. Then just yesterday Melkor's portray got ready to be rolled out! Hope you will like them!
Elbereth, Queen of the Stars
Melkor, The Dark Lord
Elbereth, Queen of the Stars
Melkor, The Dark Lord
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Fourth Movement: Manwë, King Of The Valar - Compositional Diary
The fourth piece in the series is at last ready! 'Manwë, King Of The Valar'
The composition is parted into 3 important units. Starts out with a majestic minor scale chord progression and idea using choir and french horns as the main means for the melody. The strings are taking the chords on its back as it happens all through the piece. This part symbolizes the high ranked archangel's majestic nature. The music suddenly rolls into an agitated, action packed second part where the heavy staccato of the full strings ensemble is elevated by heavy brass melodies. Also a quickly rolling piccolo and solo violin staccato part is spicing up the inertia. After this part runs out, we get to the third one, the major scale theme of the Vala, where the ideas and chords is channeling the wise and positive nature of this archangel. It's rhythmical flow is helped by a synchronized, march like pattern of snare and different divisions of the orchestra. After this we get back to a repetition of the first part with new elements in the instrumentation, and then to a beefed upp and shuffled repetition of the second part, with an even heavier staccato of the string ensemble and heavier percussion entering. A final trailer like elevation of the harmonies gives the ending.
Hopefully you will enjoy the new piece, and find it appropriate to give the theme for this character of utter importance in the Tolkien universe.
The composition is parted into 3 important units. Starts out with a majestic minor scale chord progression and idea using choir and french horns as the main means for the melody. The strings are taking the chords on its back as it happens all through the piece. This part symbolizes the high ranked archangel's majestic nature. The music suddenly rolls into an agitated, action packed second part where the heavy staccato of the full strings ensemble is elevated by heavy brass melodies. Also a quickly rolling piccolo and solo violin staccato part is spicing up the inertia. After this part runs out, we get to the third one, the major scale theme of the Vala, where the ideas and chords is channeling the wise and positive nature of this archangel. It's rhythmical flow is helped by a synchronized, march like pattern of snare and different divisions of the orchestra. After this we get back to a repetition of the first part with new elements in the instrumentation, and then to a beefed upp and shuffled repetition of the second part, with an even heavier staccato of the string ensemble and heavier percussion entering. A final trailer like elevation of the harmonies gives the ending.
Hopefully you will enjoy the new piece, and find it appropriate to give the theme for this character of utter importance in the Tolkien universe.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Third Movement: Ulmo, Lord of the Waters - Compositional Diary
Dear Fans and Friends,
I'm happy to report that after a longer period of silence, the third movement of the symphonic tales has been rolled out. The focus now has been shifted from the story telling of the Ainulindale to the portrayals of Valar derived from the Valaquenta of The Silmarillion.
The first in the portrayal series is the majestic, dreadful and all surround Lord of the Waters, Ulmo, the lonely divine figure of the mythology of Tolkien. Second in power to Manwe, most hated by Melkor, knowing of all news on Arda through all the waters flowing through and surrounding the landmass of the world.
"ULMO, Heru Rasa, or in English - Lord of the Seas, was second in power of the Valar only to Manwe. He was one of the nine Aratar, or those of chief power and reverence. He was a loner, the only one of the Valar to not have a wife (wife here is not in the common sense, but one who has similar interests and share deeds). He would never stay in one place for long, and took to resting anywhere he might be. He seldom came to the Councils of Mahanaxar, and only when in great need. He preferred to stay in Arda, not by walking on the land, as his form would fill man or elf with great dread. All waters were under his government; bays, rivers and even the waters under the earth. It is through these that he kept in touch with Arda, and thus knew more of the goings on with the children of Iluvatar than even Manwe."
The music is somewhat starting as an enervated and sad, musing part which shows the lonesome preference of this Vala, and also incorporates powerful and majestic parts which symbolizes his appearance before the mortal beings of Arda. The major part of the orchestral sections this time goes to the low and middle brass and also the contrabasoon and is accompanied by accentuated choral parts. Also touches some modern elements of compositional work with many less common harmonies and also random-like notes which depicts the watery, hard to glimpse nature of this divine figure. Strives for positive, uplifting images at times with some clearer, major chord resolutions, but also dwelling in strong, fast and agitated parts that outlines the unpredictable nature of the waters and the powers of this all-mighty Vala.
I'm happy to report that after a longer period of silence, the third movement of the symphonic tales has been rolled out. The focus now has been shifted from the story telling of the Ainulindale to the portrayals of Valar derived from the Valaquenta of The Silmarillion.
The first in the portrayal series is the majestic, dreadful and all surround Lord of the Waters, Ulmo, the lonely divine figure of the mythology of Tolkien. Second in power to Manwe, most hated by Melkor, knowing of all news on Arda through all the waters flowing through and surrounding the landmass of the world.
"ULMO, Heru Rasa, or in English - Lord of the Seas, was second in power of the Valar only to Manwe. He was one of the nine Aratar, or those of chief power and reverence. He was a loner, the only one of the Valar to not have a wife (wife here is not in the common sense, but one who has similar interests and share deeds). He would never stay in one place for long, and took to resting anywhere he might be. He seldom came to the Councils of Mahanaxar, and only when in great need. He preferred to stay in Arda, not by walking on the land, as his form would fill man or elf with great dread. All waters were under his government; bays, rivers and even the waters under the earth. It is through these that he kept in touch with Arda, and thus knew more of the goings on with the children of Iluvatar than even Manwe."
The music is somewhat starting as an enervated and sad, musing part which shows the lonesome preference of this Vala, and also incorporates powerful and majestic parts which symbolizes his appearance before the mortal beings of Arda. The major part of the orchestral sections this time goes to the low and middle brass and also the contrabasoon and is accompanied by accentuated choral parts. Also touches some modern elements of compositional work with many less common harmonies and also random-like notes which depicts the watery, hard to glimpse nature of this divine figure. Strives for positive, uplifting images at times with some clearer, major chord resolutions, but also dwelling in strong, fast and agitated parts that outlines the unpredictable nature of the waters and the powers of this all-mighty Vala.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Second Movement ready!
Happy to announce that the second title of the series is now finally available on SoundCloud for listening! :-)
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - II. Let These Things Be Part 1 - Diary #1
Movement
II is on the verge of completion! Hopefully recovering from a heavier flu soon... in my non-fever filled hours where I could get some time I
polished the movement furher and further... 8 minutes and 32 seconds it seems...
Let me get to the parts:
1. Appearance of the Ainur. Singing and music of the ainur on the bid of Eru Ilúvatar, in unison they experience the power of the unity Eru Ilúvatar bestowed upon them - a rework of the so called theme FLAME IMPERISHABLE
2. Melkor's derailed entry, in the futile attempt of overpowering the theme of Eru Ilúvatar. Yet gaining his first fallen minions for his plans of being a Lord - MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME - no masking of the discord yet
3. Eru's second theme for the Ainur, Melkor awaiting his second overpowering of the archangels singing and music, with even more rage after being told all his deeds still are originating back to Eru, the source of the Flame Imperishable and all that was created. - a new theme I call the EASTERN WESTERN THEME joining in both poles of the existence with the power of choir and oriental resembling violin technique.
4. Melkor's second attempt of overpowering the choir of Ainur. All Ainur stop singing in the end - MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME
5. Eru Ilúvatar shows a new theme that is yet unknown to the thoughts and ears of all Ainur: the theme of the First Born and After-Born (Elves and Humans) - THE THEME OF THE CHILDREN OF ILÚVATAR, ample, sorrowful, yet profound and somehow uplifting. Not an easy work, I grant you :)
6. Melkor is giving a race for the dominance again, -
MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME
7. Finally Eru Ilúvatar's rage and glory theme, silencing all with the mighties chord ever, uniting the highest and the lowest. - ERU'S RAGE AND THE MIGHTIEST CHORD
So these are the parts that I condensed into this 8 and a half minute. Hope you'll enjoy when I get there to publish. Possibly this week. :)
Let me get to the parts:
1. Appearance of the Ainur. Singing and music of the ainur on the bid of Eru Ilúvatar, in unison they experience the power of the unity Eru Ilúvatar bestowed upon them - a rework of the so called theme FLAME IMPERISHABLE
2. Melkor's derailed entry, in the futile attempt of overpowering the theme of Eru Ilúvatar. Yet gaining his first fallen minions for his plans of being a Lord - MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME - no masking of the discord yet
3. Eru's second theme for the Ainur, Melkor awaiting his second overpowering of the archangels singing and music, with even more rage after being told all his deeds still are originating back to Eru, the source of the Flame Imperishable and all that was created. - a new theme I call the EASTERN WESTERN THEME joining in both poles of the existence with the power of choir and oriental resembling violin technique.
4. Melkor's second attempt of overpowering the choir of Ainur. All Ainur stop singing in the end - MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME
5. Eru Ilúvatar shows a new theme that is yet unknown to the thoughts and ears of all Ainur: the theme of the First Born and After-Born (Elves and Humans) - THE THEME OF THE CHILDREN OF ILÚVATAR, ample, sorrowful, yet profound and somehow uplifting. Not an easy work, I grant you :)
6. Melkor is giving a race for the dominance again, -
MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME
7. Finally Eru Ilúvatar's rage and glory theme, silencing all with the mighties chord ever, uniting the highest and the lowest. - ERU'S RAGE AND THE MIGHTIEST CHORD
So these are the parts that I condensed into this 8 and a half minute. Hope you'll enjoy when I get there to publish. Possibly this week. :)
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Compositional Diary #2 - 'There was Eru, the One'
Heaven yeah, the first movement is ready :-) 'There was Eru, the One'
As I mentioned earlier it's titled 'There was Eru, the One'. I'll try to go into as much details about its composition as I remember.
First of all, I've started out with a pre-existing classical/electronica hybrid template I generally use for orchestral composition and production. It's, as always composed, mixed and processed in Cubase 7.5. I still use 7.5 tho I have 8.0 installed, but I have had some performance issues with my 80+ channel templates I created in 7.5.
Musically the first that was born was the piccolo flute's rhythmical staccato, keeping its C pitch constantly in the center of the composition. Of course there came the chord progression built around the staccato flute, built with full ensemble instruments of EWQL Hollywood Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra. The drawn line of the piccolo staccato was kept floating without deciding between a major and a minor key, and thus connecting the two parts that slowly emerged from the harmonically constructed context of C major of the first part and the c minor of the second epic part. Yeah, I know, I keep it simple and low profile with the keys, but this kind of topic didn't either need chromatic variation or a really mixed bunch of transitions. I was keeping it simple and clean as I feel the topic of Eru Ilúvatar demands a pure vision on the material.
So slowly the two parts, major and minor were done, and also (forgot to mention), the heavy Loom additive synthesizers were already added to symbolize the Void, the Mechanical magic of the Tolkien universe that is yet to be born through the will of Eru and also through the mightiest Ainur Melkor who turned bitter and evil soon later. (Yet this deep mesmerizing synthesizer is just a signal of what is yet to come in the complex history of Arda, Earth).
So then I felt the need to present Eru to the listener, and (no surprise) I took the means of fanfare. A quite simple, harmonically very clean and also very simple rhythmical structure, to represent the purest form of omnipotence.
Then when it was done came the job to build up the C Major harmonic and melodic build up. Quickly it was set up on the strings and then varied with the addition of brasses at some parts, then usage of woodwinds later and also finally the all soothing harp was woven in. The crescendo part was the last to be polished for proper sounding and greater variation.
Next came the details of the c minor part, addition of heavy, epic string legatos, going down with majesty, and meanwhile the horns, trumpets and trombone strengthened to an epic melody to be kept along the way of the journey towards the culmination of the track. When this was done it was clear that the epic part needs to reach its full potential with a big tempo jump and addition of heavy percussion. The latter was again achieved with the fantastic SD2 Godzilla Hits... A periodically sliding higher drum in 5/4 against the thump of the 4/4 main drum and an almost snare like hit in a syncope pattern. This gave the whole part a heavy, and strong sense of movement and power. The strings now dominated the harmonic context with the stagnant slowly changing choirs. The trumpets playing the main melody quickly jump to the fantastic sounds of the EWQL Gipsy solo violin that lasts till the end. The full strings ensemble was then going into an ever grinding staccato replacing the piccolo in the role, giving a really tense background to the mostly slow, and sometimes quickly jumping solo melody. The interlocked semi final crescendo was using the elements of the opening fanfare part of the movement, and the final crescendo is a variation of that with a heavy thumping ever louder orchestral beat till the final staccato note.
The C Major part is called 'Eru, The One', while the epic ending is called 'The Flame Imperishable'.
A bit of mixing Equalizer setting here and there and setting up the Oxygene 6 for the pseudo master was the last step, before unleashing the first movement onto you! I hope you enjoy the first fruit as much as I enjoyed creating (and listening and listening and listening till all errs was quenched from the final version :)). Thanks for your attention! Now till I'm busy with planning the next movement listen and enjoy, share, spread the word, give me feedback, comment...whatever: be happy my friends!
As I mentioned earlier it's titled 'There was Eru, the One'. I'll try to go into as much details about its composition as I remember.
First of all, I've started out with a pre-existing classical/electronica hybrid template I generally use for orchestral composition and production. It's, as always composed, mixed and processed in Cubase 7.5. I still use 7.5 tho I have 8.0 installed, but I have had some performance issues with my 80+ channel templates I created in 7.5.
Musically the first that was born was the piccolo flute's rhythmical staccato, keeping its C pitch constantly in the center of the composition. Of course there came the chord progression built around the staccato flute, built with full ensemble instruments of EWQL Hollywood Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra. The drawn line of the piccolo staccato was kept floating without deciding between a major and a minor key, and thus connecting the two parts that slowly emerged from the harmonically constructed context of C major of the first part and the c minor of the second epic part. Yeah, I know, I keep it simple and low profile with the keys, but this kind of topic didn't either need chromatic variation or a really mixed bunch of transitions. I was keeping it simple and clean as I feel the topic of Eru Ilúvatar demands a pure vision on the material.
So slowly the two parts, major and minor were done, and also (forgot to mention), the heavy Loom additive synthesizers were already added to symbolize the Void, the Mechanical magic of the Tolkien universe that is yet to be born through the will of Eru and also through the mightiest Ainur Melkor who turned bitter and evil soon later. (Yet this deep mesmerizing synthesizer is just a signal of what is yet to come in the complex history of Arda, Earth).
So then I felt the need to present Eru to the listener, and (no surprise) I took the means of fanfare. A quite simple, harmonically very clean and also very simple rhythmical structure, to represent the purest form of omnipotence.
Then when it was done came the job to build up the C Major harmonic and melodic build up. Quickly it was set up on the strings and then varied with the addition of brasses at some parts, then usage of woodwinds later and also finally the all soothing harp was woven in. The crescendo part was the last to be polished for proper sounding and greater variation.
Next came the details of the c minor part, addition of heavy, epic string legatos, going down with majesty, and meanwhile the horns, trumpets and trombone strengthened to an epic melody to be kept along the way of the journey towards the culmination of the track. When this was done it was clear that the epic part needs to reach its full potential with a big tempo jump and addition of heavy percussion. The latter was again achieved with the fantastic SD2 Godzilla Hits... A periodically sliding higher drum in 5/4 against the thump of the 4/4 main drum and an almost snare like hit in a syncope pattern. This gave the whole part a heavy, and strong sense of movement and power. The strings now dominated the harmonic context with the stagnant slowly changing choirs. The trumpets playing the main melody quickly jump to the fantastic sounds of the EWQL Gipsy solo violin that lasts till the end. The full strings ensemble was then going into an ever grinding staccato replacing the piccolo in the role, giving a really tense background to the mostly slow, and sometimes quickly jumping solo melody. The interlocked semi final crescendo was using the elements of the opening fanfare part of the movement, and the final crescendo is a variation of that with a heavy thumping ever louder orchestral beat till the final staccato note.
The C Major part is called 'Eru, The One', while the epic ending is called 'The Flame Imperishable'.
A bit of mixing Equalizer setting here and there and setting up the Oxygene 6 for the pseudo master was the last step, before unleashing the first movement onto you! I hope you enjoy the first fruit as much as I enjoyed creating (and listening and listening and listening till all errs was quenched from the final version :)). Thanks for your attention! Now till I'm busy with planning the next movement listen and enjoy, share, spread the word, give me feedback, comment...whatever: be happy my friends!
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Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Compositional Diary #1
"There Was Eru, The One"
- J.R.R Tolkien
I've been working for a few days now on the first title of the epic sized opus I'm trying to achieve. Symphonic music with some hybrid elements, telling one of the most compelling modern mythical tale ever conceived, The Silmarillion's uncountable tales and details poured into music in a yet unknown level of detail.
Regarding the first title, finally I've decided to "cut back" the scope of the first title, and instead of depicting the Ainulindalë I'll rather concentrate on Eru Iluvatar only. Giving a first long part to the Creator of the tolkienesque universe, I think I couldn't really go another way around. The conceiving one omnipotent mind of all the happenings of the world, deserves a whole title.
I'll tell you a little bit about how currently the composition is going. Opens with a slow musical scale intro and drives into a strong and clear fanfare part (as you could imagine). Then it turns to the Love Eru is showing in his mind for all the yet to be created beings and things in a more emotional part written in a major key (hopefully you won't feel it too happy, but rather as the strong emotional, spiritual and rational care and sign for all the yet to come). Then the music turns into an epic minor key, to put a sight on the Historical details that start to form in the all knowing mind, right before creating the Ainur from his thoughts to start forming reality.
So that's how this is going. Needs so much care, the bar is set so high. I can't tell you how hard it is to imagine that I can live up to these standards. But we will see. The first title's first public version is nearing steadily. :-) I wish I could show you something already, but I want it perfect, at least perfect for a first version (I'm sure it's going to change when the whole Symphonic Tale will get into further shape).
- J.R.R Tolkien
I've been working for a few days now on the first title of the epic sized opus I'm trying to achieve. Symphonic music with some hybrid elements, telling one of the most compelling modern mythical tale ever conceived, The Silmarillion's uncountable tales and details poured into music in a yet unknown level of detail.
Regarding the first title, finally I've decided to "cut back" the scope of the first title, and instead of depicting the Ainulindalë I'll rather concentrate on Eru Iluvatar only. Giving a first long part to the Creator of the tolkienesque universe, I think I couldn't really go another way around. The conceiving one omnipotent mind of all the happenings of the world, deserves a whole title.
I'll tell you a little bit about how currently the composition is going. Opens with a slow musical scale intro and drives into a strong and clear fanfare part (as you could imagine). Then it turns to the Love Eru is showing in his mind for all the yet to be created beings and things in a more emotional part written in a major key (hopefully you won't feel it too happy, but rather as the strong emotional, spiritual and rational care and sign for all the yet to come). Then the music turns into an epic minor key, to put a sight on the Historical details that start to form in the all knowing mind, right before creating the Ainur from his thoughts to start forming reality.
So that's how this is going. Needs so much care, the bar is set so high. I can't tell you how hard it is to imagine that I can live up to these standards. But we will see. The first title's first public version is nearing steadily. :-) I wish I could show you something already, but I want it perfect, at least perfect for a first version (I'm sure it's going to change when the whole Symphonic Tale will get into further shape).
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
A New Project: Musical Story of the First Age of Middle Earth and of the Quenta Silmarillion
My
friends and fans... It's time to embark on a longer musical voyage.
After watching the (possibly) final episode in the series of J.R.R.
Tolkien movies by Peter Jackson, I've recently taken into my head to
start and work on a really big and inspirational project. I'll try to
give my musical sight into the history of the Ainurs, genesis of Arda
and the Quenta Silmarillion and neighboring tales by
Tolkien, for my own and probably your enjoyment. I'm planning on going
through the most important episodes of the epic genesis of Middle Earth
to the First Age. Not exactly decided how far, and how long and how
detailed, but this is where I feel I can draw a lot of inspiration from
at these next months. I've started out with a new one I call (not too
much originality, right? :)) the Music of the Ainurs (Ainulindale) . It's so far so
good. Expect the first chapter of this long story in the coming weeks.
As a word of warning, I might have an issue with the copyrights using the names and notions created by Tolkien, so it will be highly probable that I'll need to invent new names for publishing the material.
Honestly I'm looking forward to pouring my inspiration into it. and yet the bar is set really high this time, I feel the topic demands the next level of perfection. My goal is to remain in the boundaries of enjoyable music (I couldn't really do much else anyway ) yet if possible with classical values of dynamics and variety of structure..Also be prepared for the addition of some very sophisticated modern ambient like synthesizers, as I feel it adequate to pronounce some characteristics of the tale. Synthesizers, just as classical instruments can represent a high order and also great improbabilities. It's going to be used humbly and modestly, to underline the power of the musical material.
Summing it up, I hope I won't stumble too much on the way, and also I wanted to articulate my gratitude towards all of you for your continuous support!
- "There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought..."
- —First words of the Ainulindalë
Ainulindale by Alassea Earello |
Honestly I'm looking forward to pouring my inspiration into it. and yet the bar is set really high this time, I feel the topic demands the next level of perfection. My goal is to remain in the boundaries of enjoyable music (I couldn't really do much else anyway ) yet if possible with classical values of dynamics and variety of structure..Also be prepared for the addition of some very sophisticated modern ambient like synthesizers, as I feel it adequate to pronounce some characteristics of the tale. Synthesizers, just as classical instruments can represent a high order and also great improbabilities. It's going to be used humbly and modestly, to underline the power of the musical material.
Summing it up, I hope I won't stumble too much on the way, and also I wanted to articulate my gratitude towards all of you for your continuous support!
Labels:
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Sunday, January 4, 2015
Free Music Free Licensed - Part #1 - Scourge #2
Free Music CC-BY-SA Free Licensed music by me - first part: Scourge #2 tracks
I had the idea to start a new periodical section on this blog related to the accumulated commercially usable free licensed (CC-BY-SA aka Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike license) I've created on the road of my musical career, so my followers can have just a good listen -- or either choose to select some of the thus provided tracks for their own project, royalty free, in case of proper attribution in the software and the bundled installer or proper attribution and licensing of the video end product where you may decide to use them.
This episode will be about the album called "Scourge #2 - Game Music", released on jamendo.com under CC-BY-SA license. It's been quite popular since its recent release, great instrumental listening while studying, no annoying lyrics, just pure symphonic orchestral fantasy soundtrack music.
Let's go into a short description of the tracks:
- Scourge INTRO - a shorter uplifting introductory track with choral additions to the symphonic structure
- Temple Exploration - a short, loopable, foreboding track, with exotic instruments and choral addition. Could be used in film or game soundtrack as well
- Plains Awaiting - a low profile, calm exploratory track that can be used easily for exploring outer areas, or easily added as a background music for a historical documentary film. Vibrating strings and easy melodies, harmonies characterize this track
- Towns And Villages - full of strings and brass, and all orchestral sweetness, a great track for wandering around or documentary films in a populated area. Bright melodies and positive harmonies.
- Forests' Weave - a calmer track using lots of strings and brass to suggest a forest or wood area
- Cave Exploration - foreboding track, with didgeridoo and deep sounds
- Light Chapter Interlude - a lighter, merrier, yet simple themed short piece, good for interludes in media
- Mountains Ahead - a calm, yet epic approach to wandering around in mountain areas, exploring new territories in a film or game
- Temple Chapter Interlude - a short foreboding interlude music, uplifting, blend trailer like
- INFERNAL DANCE - a furious epic, long fight in a very original, dance like style solely using orchestral, symphonic means. A good end title music for a tense film, or boss fight in a game.
- Tears of Victory - emotional, symphonic arrangement, slow, choral parts, good for an epic but emotional ending of a game or film
The whole album is using first grade quality ingredients, were composed in Cubase using EWQL (EastWest QuantumLeap) products and mixed with best plugins available (Waves/iZotope).
Please consider donation if using these track. You can donate directly to the composer/producer Pal Zoltan Illes here:
You can have a listen and download below, or through this link: here
I had the idea to start a new periodical section on this blog related to the accumulated commercially usable free licensed (CC-BY-SA aka Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike license) I've created on the road of my musical career, so my followers can have just a good listen -- or either choose to select some of the thus provided tracks for their own project, royalty free, in case of proper attribution in the software and the bundled installer or proper attribution and licensing of the video end product where you may decide to use them.
This episode will be about the album called "Scourge #2 - Game Music", released on jamendo.com under CC-BY-SA license. It's been quite popular since its recent release, great instrumental listening while studying, no annoying lyrics, just pure symphonic orchestral fantasy soundtrack music.
Let's go into a short description of the tracks:
- Scourge INTRO - a shorter uplifting introductory track with choral additions to the symphonic structure
- Temple Exploration - a short, loopable, foreboding track, with exotic instruments and choral addition. Could be used in film or game soundtrack as well
- Plains Awaiting - a low profile, calm exploratory track that can be used easily for exploring outer areas, or easily added as a background music for a historical documentary film. Vibrating strings and easy melodies, harmonies characterize this track
- Towns And Villages - full of strings and brass, and all orchestral sweetness, a great track for wandering around or documentary films in a populated area. Bright melodies and positive harmonies.
- Forests' Weave - a calmer track using lots of strings and brass to suggest a forest or wood area
- Cave Exploration - foreboding track, with didgeridoo and deep sounds
- Light Chapter Interlude - a lighter, merrier, yet simple themed short piece, good for interludes in media
- Mountains Ahead - a calm, yet epic approach to wandering around in mountain areas, exploring new territories in a film or game
- Temple Chapter Interlude - a short foreboding interlude music, uplifting, blend trailer like
- INFERNAL DANCE - a furious epic, long fight in a very original, dance like style solely using orchestral, symphonic means. A good end title music for a tense film, or boss fight in a game.
- Tears of Victory - emotional, symphonic arrangement, slow, choral parts, good for an epic but emotional ending of a game or film
The whole album is using first grade quality ingredients, were composed in Cubase using EWQL (EastWest QuantumLeap) products and mixed with best plugins available (Waves/iZotope).
Please consider donation if using these track. You can donate directly to the composer/producer Pal Zoltan Illes here:
You can have a listen and download below, or through this link: here
Labels:
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Thursday, January 1, 2015
Epic Fantasy Tracks - Compositional Diary
Recently I've been investing a lot of time in one of my favorite compositional genre which I am most compassionate about: orchestral music in the fantasy topic. Most of the tracks carry the recently so popular hints of Epic Fantasy style. Let me go into some details about the tracks here.
All three tracks were composed in Cubase 7.5 and most of the virtual instruments are Sounds-Online EWQL ones, and the lightly used synthesizer VSTis are Loom and XFer Serum. Mixing was aided by Native Instruments, Waves and iZotope plugins.
First in the line of compositions is 'Power of the Awakened Ones', which working title started off as 'Storm Within'. It's a three minutes long short and energetic, 4/4 track, constantly building-up one, that has the power of culmination, like so many of the popular trailer music tracks these days. I was playing around with the strings and brasses along with some powerful percussion instruments, and was starting with a sinister introduction part which was in the end removed, when the main melodic idea was inspired and invented along with the epic vocal part that was accompanied with a quick powerful arpeggio. The strings and solo vocals took over quickly the melodic and harmonic dominance in it together with the brasses, but the final touch was given by adding the light, oriental tasting sound of xylophone. It gave the main melody a very nice shine. Also I had plans of adding complementary synthesizers to the rhythmical bass section to give it an edge, and finally did weave it in at the culmination parts. And to reach the final structure, a small calmer part was interlocked between the tense energetic parts. The acceptance and criticism of the track was quite positive, and as a result of great positivity and support on SoundCloud it went right into the SoundCloud Explorer Classical part.
Second one is 'The Invincibles' which had the working title of 'Knights of the Ethernal Wisdom'. I was keeping the template of instrumentation. I was going for a 7/8 rhythm, to give it a nice riding feeling. It's speed is a majestic, middle tempo. The first part to be born was the starting brass melody and harmonies accompanied with a heavy, staccato/marcato contrabass/cello strings that later received at some parts an overlay of woodwinds and choral. The variation between minor and major parts is added to give some introspective on the light fantasy nature of the composition. Then came the idea to add a powerful/medieval adventurous melodic line with the fantastic EWQL Gipsy solo violin instrument, and that went as far as additions of harpsichord and strong brasses at the culmination parts. A very light addition of Synths were the last step to give a little buzz to the already heavy quick and rhythmical marcato of the strings. I'm very content with the result, it symbolizes a true companionship of adventurers, with courage, bravery, honor, piety. Again the acceptance and criticism was very positive, and it also landed in the SoundCloud Explorer Classical chart after the first day of publishing it.
Third, and most recent one is 'Sailors of Fortuna', which had the same working title. I was going for a quicker, more pulsating rhythmical approach, and an even heavier use of percussion. First of the composition was to lay out the bass line with heavy marcato/staccato strings, contrabass and celli. The playful, pirate era like melody was invented first using the viola and violin section, but slowly the brass took over the stronger parts. Then a longer choral part was added, adding new harmonic elements to the weave, and using the soprano part grabbing out of the context and adding it to the non-choral parts, the melody was extended with shining celesta. Then came the idea to add guitar (acoustic and distorted) to the lighter parts of the track. It gave a really adventurous and modern touch to the material. Also this addition of guitar lines then crept into the stronger orchestral parts in form of choral and higher brass additions (horns and trumpets). As a final step, I felt the urge to add a dance-like even quicker celebration part to mirror the triumphant pirate/sailor thematic of the era. Quick piccolo and xylophone together with some guitars and quick rhythmical strings gave the final form to it. The recipe was well formulated again, and the first day it got int the SC Classical chart again right into the top 30.
In the end I feel like it has been a successful venture back into the symphonic/orchestral composition which I was on a hiatus within the last half year. Hope you will enjoy the music as much as I enjoyed the creation of it.
All three tracks were composed in Cubase 7.5 and most of the virtual instruments are Sounds-Online EWQL ones, and the lightly used synthesizer VSTis are Loom and XFer Serum. Mixing was aided by Native Instruments, Waves and iZotope plugins.
First in the line of compositions is 'Power of the Awakened Ones', which working title started off as 'Storm Within'. It's a three minutes long short and energetic, 4/4 track, constantly building-up one, that has the power of culmination, like so many of the popular trailer music tracks these days. I was playing around with the strings and brasses along with some powerful percussion instruments, and was starting with a sinister introduction part which was in the end removed, when the main melodic idea was inspired and invented along with the epic vocal part that was accompanied with a quick powerful arpeggio. The strings and solo vocals took over quickly the melodic and harmonic dominance in it together with the brasses, but the final touch was given by adding the light, oriental tasting sound of xylophone. It gave the main melody a very nice shine. Also I had plans of adding complementary synthesizers to the rhythmical bass section to give it an edge, and finally did weave it in at the culmination parts. And to reach the final structure, a small calmer part was interlocked between the tense energetic parts. The acceptance and criticism of the track was quite positive, and as a result of great positivity and support on SoundCloud it went right into the SoundCloud Explorer Classical part.
Cover art by: Daniel Warren |
Image by: artofjokinen |
In the end I feel like it has been a successful venture back into the symphonic/orchestral composition which I was on a hiatus within the last half year. Hope you will enjoy the music as much as I enjoyed the creation of it.
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