A while ago I posted two singles from my theatre score for «The Legend of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe». Now here’s the main theme, «Journey to Narnia» – the third and final single before the full album comes later this autumn.
Made with Nuendo 13 and Dorico Pro 5. Recorded with a 14 piece string orchestra (The Trondheim Soloists), 1 flute player (Ingrid Holmen) and 1 horn player (Marie Solum Gran). So humbled and lucky to work with some of Norway’s best musicians to bring my music to life (with some additional programming, sampled instruments and percussion by me).
The three tracks released so far now form a “mini EP”, available on Bandcamp:
And for the curious, here’s a short 3-minute behind-the-scenes film from the recording session (luckily subtitled, for the select few who might actually not speak Norwegian)
This is fantastic! I’m so jealous that you get to work with a real ensemble! You are a very good composer and arranger. Best wishes with the production, and congratulations.
Thanks so much, and thanks everyone for the kind words – really appreciate it!!
Yes, it’s been a blast, really. I just have to accept that many of my projects will not let me have this kind of luxury. But really hope to work more with larger ensembles in the future too!
I just saw and heard this as it made it back up to the top of the feed. It’s really lovely, and it’s wonderful that you have the skillset, heart, and soul to compose things like this. Good luck with your musical endeavors.
Just wondering, out of curiousity, if you’d ever listened to the guitarist Steve Hackett, who was in the band Genesis back in the 1970’s. His 2nd solo album called Please Don’t Touch! opened with a song that included lyrics called Narnia. Not sure if you’d be into the music, but you might find the track interesting.
Finally, in reference to Norway, I’ve long listened to some fine jazz musicians from there like Jan Garbarek, Bendik Hofseth, and Terje Gewelt. I’ve recently become aware of guitarist Bjorn Klakegg. I’ve very much liked what I’ve heard from him.
And you hit the nail right on the head – Genesis is one of my biggest inspirations ever. I know every note, every word and every chord change of every album, as I’ve listened to them all hundreds of times. And just as much from the Phil period as the Peter period – every album brings something really special. Steve’s solo albums I’ve not listened that much to, except from the very first one. I recall that Narnia track from his second solo album, but don’t remember it very well. Will have to revisit it.
Bendik Hofseth is a living legend, and has also been a big inspiration for me! I especially love his album “Planets, Rivers and…IKEA” from 1995. Those string and wind arrangements in tracks like “Anything Goes” are really spectacular. I’ve met him a couple of times as he has also been a really important figure in music organisations here in Norway, having been the head of both Norway’s PRO and composer/songwriter organisation during some pivotal years. A really great guy. Bjørn Klakegg just released a solo album in the outskirts of prog-rock and jazz, and I actually listened to a snippet only today! Will have to buy and listen to the whole thing soon. You’ll find it on his Bandcamp site.
