interview

When I asked composer Jeremy Nathan Tisser what got him excited about writing the music for the VR adventure game Battlewake, he was quick to answer, "pirates and heavy metal!" He combines both of those for a soundtrack that's just as thrilling as the immersive battles on the high seas.

Jeremy says the different locations for the encounters in Battlewake are a huge inspiration for his music, which incorporates voodoo chanting, a Mongolian metal band, and tons of drums!

Philadelphia-based guitarist Brad Rau is a respected teacher and performer with an extremely varied repertoire. He was in WSHU's Stone Family Assembly Hall for a performance and conversation with Kate Remington. Thanks to Paul Litwinovitch, recording engineer.

Brad's concert program for WSHU:

Heitor Villa Lobos: Prelude No. 1

Paul Desmond: Take 5

Eduardo Sainz de la Maza: The Bells of Dawn

The darkly funny MediEvil game series was one of the most beloved of the late 1990s. The game's story follows a hapless hero, Sir Dan Fortescue, as he battles an evil sorcerer, Zarok, for control of the kingdom of Gallowmere. Twenty years later, Sony has dusted off the classic with new graphics and updated gameplay, and music from the original soundtrack composers, Paul Arnold and Andrew Barnabas, known as Bob and Barn.

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.