interview

The Outer Worlds, from Obsidian Entertainment, lets players choose their own adventure on hostile planets, and solve problems (or make new ones) for the settlers there. Composer Justin E. Bell tells me that his soundtrack is filled with the wonder of space exploration, and inspired by the character of the planets and strange creatures you encounter in the game. 

For world-renowned violinist Alexander Markov, making music has always been a family affair, both his parents are gifted violinists and Alexander's first teacher was his father.  On Friday, November 8, Alexander and his family will present From Baroque to Rock, a concert for families at the Norwalk Concert Hall. The first half will feature classical music favorites, and the second half will showcase Alexander's love of rock music, and give him a chance to open the throttle on his electric, gold-plated violin.

The Charles Ives Music Festival launches a nearly year-long season with a concert by cellist Julian Schwarz, pianist Marika Bournaki and friends on Saturday, November 2 in Ridgefield, Conn.

Kate Remington talks with Festival Music Director Paul Frucht about how the new festival continues Ives' legacy of musical curiosity and innovation. 

Bungie's latest Desiny 2 expansion, Shadowkeep, brings Guardians back to the Moon, only to discover that it's plagued by terrifying living nightmares, and long-vanquished enemies that need to be conquered again. Composers Mike Salvatori and Skye Lewin told me that not only did they write some of the most terrifying music ever for Destiny, but they blended in subtle hints of sorrow and brash heroic moments as well.

In The Long Return, created by Max Nielsen, a young orphaned lion cub is retracing the last journey he made with his mother. Dale North composed the soundtrack, and he told me it was some of the most emotionally satisfying music he's written in a long time. 

Dale says the opportunity to write the score for The Long Return came at a busy time, but he was so taken by the story of the young cub, and the emotions he felt thinking about how the cub's mother is with him in spirit, that writing the music became a kind of refuge for his spirit.