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Description
First a warning. This piece is very long at 21:35 so it is not a quick listen.
The movements all fade into each other, and so I thought that cutting it into movements and posting them separately lost the continuity as well as the overall feel as the piece evolves. This version includes the finale that was previously posted Ejected - Final Movement for the SpaceRace 2011.
Most of this piece is space-ambientish, but not everything as there is a kind of Kraftwerkish electronica, choral and orchestral styles as well. That is why I set the genre to 20th century. I hope you find that the styles work together. In some ways this is more of a soundtrack than a suite, but I like to push boundaries so the definition isn't important. I was also compelled to finish this despite its length. Normally I would do a 3 to 5 minute piece in one style and do something quite different after that. Not this time.
The music intends to tell a story of a space pilot whose craft was struck and who was ejected in their seat into space. He navigates his way to civilization through finding a hyperspace jump portal. The theme is about human ingenuity and determination when facing almost insurmountable odds - the ability to dig deep and keep resourceful when it really counts.
Of course you can interpret the sounds however you like. If you want the back story (as conceived) from the rescuers' perspective look here: http//web.me.com/...
If you want it from the pilot's perspective, look here: http//web.me.com/...
These postings can give you something to read as you hear the tune evolve. You can try to guess what is happening at various points in the piece (I didn't post actual times in the backstory to still leave something to the imagination).
Gold stars to those who find the sonic reference to a once popular TV show. Hint - it's not too tough, and I've got lots of gold stars to give away.
I also reworked part of the finale with input from the commenters on previous postings. Thanks for those!
As always, part of the fun of this exploration is in the learning, and I appreciate all comments including constructive ones.
This piece is dedicated to my co-organizers of the SpaceRace 2011: Drakonis and Ex Silentio, both of whom contributed far more to that project than I did, and to Reinholt56 who is the most prolific composer in this 'space' I know.
Grab some headphones, close your eyes, and lay back to travel on a journey far out in time and far away in the colourful reaches of space. The story starts as we find, amidst the pinpoints of light in the inky sky, a small single piloted craft traveling alone at sub-light speed.
I hope you enjoy it!
Doug
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Addendum: I listened again to the intro track by David Kneupper from the CD of music from the Kennedy Space Centre last night. I remember being surprised when I posted the piece Coming Home that after I composed it I found it had used a 6 note motif that Kneupper wrote, and I had unwittingly included it without realising where the phrase came from. I ended up later modifying the title of the track as a result. When I created the finale for Ejected, it was my intention to base it on similar lines from Coming Home but deviate from the motif even further. I deviated from Coming Home but, from what I heard last night, ended up pulling in a tiny bit more from the phrases in Kneupper's piece than I thought. It is by no means a clone, but elements are recognisable. Clearly I 'just can't get it outta my head'. David's a fine composer and you can hear his music in many theme parks across the US.
Contest:
No one has mentioned the reference to a TV show in this piece that I talked about above, so I guess it is way more subtle than I thought. Here's the hint to give it away - at 10:07 there are 4 slow notes on the synth that are used in what famous space TV series from the 1960's as the introductory notes to its theme? Hint 2: they are played here much more slowly than in the TV show.
Thanks to all who have taken a listen to Ejected and to those who have left such very kind comments. It's been a pleasure to post this one.
Doug
The movements all fade into each other, and so I thought that cutting it into movements and posting them separately lost the continuity as well as the overall feel as the piece evolves. This version includes the finale that was previously posted Ejected - Final Movement for the SpaceRace 2011.
Most of this piece is space-ambientish, but not everything as there is a kind of Kraftwerkish electronica, choral and orchestral styles as well. That is why I set the genre to 20th century. I hope you find that the styles work together. In some ways this is more of a soundtrack than a suite, but I like to push boundaries so the definition isn't important. I was also compelled to finish this despite its length. Normally I would do a 3 to 5 minute piece in one style and do something quite different after that. Not this time.
The music intends to tell a story of a space pilot whose craft was struck and who was ejected in their seat into space. He navigates his way to civilization through finding a hyperspace jump portal. The theme is about human ingenuity and determination when facing almost insurmountable odds - the ability to dig deep and keep resourceful when it really counts.
Of course you can interpret the sounds however you like. If you want the back story (as conceived) from the rescuers' perspective look here: http//web.me.com/...
If you want it from the pilot's perspective, look here: http//web.me.com/...
These postings can give you something to read as you hear the tune evolve. You can try to guess what is happening at various points in the piece (I didn't post actual times in the backstory to still leave something to the imagination).
Gold stars to those who find the sonic reference to a once popular TV show. Hint - it's not too tough, and I've got lots of gold stars to give away.
I also reworked part of the finale with input from the commenters on previous postings. Thanks for those!
As always, part of the fun of this exploration is in the learning, and I appreciate all comments including constructive ones.
This piece is dedicated to my co-organizers of the SpaceRace 2011: Drakonis and Ex Silentio, both of whom contributed far more to that project than I did, and to Reinholt56 who is the most prolific composer in this 'space' I know.
Grab some headphones, close your eyes, and lay back to travel on a journey far out in time and far away in the colourful reaches of space. The story starts as we find, amidst the pinpoints of light in the inky sky, a small single piloted craft traveling alone at sub-light speed.
I hope you enjoy it!
Doug
----------------------------------
Addendum: I listened again to the intro track by David Kneupper from the CD of music from the Kennedy Space Centre last night. I remember being surprised when I posted the piece Coming Home that after I composed it I found it had used a 6 note motif that Kneupper wrote, and I had unwittingly included it without realising where the phrase came from. I ended up later modifying the title of the track as a result. When I created the finale for Ejected, it was my intention to base it on similar lines from Coming Home but deviate from the motif even further. I deviated from Coming Home but, from what I heard last night, ended up pulling in a tiny bit more from the phrases in Kneupper's piece than I thought. It is by no means a clone, but elements are recognisable. Clearly I 'just can't get it outta my head'. David's a fine composer and you can hear his music in many theme parks across the US.
Contest:
No one has mentioned the reference to a TV show in this piece that I talked about above, so I guess it is way more subtle than I thought. Here's the hint to give it away - at 10:07 there are 4 slow notes on the synth that are used in what famous space TV series from the 1960's as the introductory notes to its theme? Hint 2: they are played here much more slowly than in the TV show.
Thanks to all who have taken a listen to Ejected and to those who have left such very kind comments. It's been a pleasure to post this one.
Doug
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Jarvoid
and listen to it in the car .....don't ask ...I just listen better in the car....don't know what that says about my driving !?
Be Back Later