While I usually interview game designers, a new kickstarter
by Julia Okrusko offering violin melodies for fantasy gaming caught my
attention. Music is something I like to incorporate into my game sessions, so I
decided to have a chat with Julia about her project.
For her other projects visit:
Brendan Davis (BD):
You were inspired to start writing fantasy music in 2011 after years of
classical training and performance. What was it about the sound of fantasy game
music you found so compelling?
Julia Okrusko (JO): Imagination: beauty and power with lots
of space for imagination. I felt that I was creating the music I was reading
and that may be the most precious feeling for a performer. There is so much wonderful
music in the world, as a classical musician I am very lucky to have a chance to
explore it, but fantasy was a real revelation to me. It was a level of
inspiration and involvement I never experienced on stage before. I guess I discovered my path as a musician.
BD: In your opinion
is the fantasy music in games like Final Fantasy VII something that deserves
more serious attention?
Oh absolutely! I would love to also hear it performed live
more often. This music is a huge part of today's culture and it is incredibly
beautiful.
BD: How is composing
and performing fantasy music different from performing and composing classical?
JO: The technical aspects are the same to me (just one more
thing I love about fantasy music): rich orchestration, form possibilities and
expressive performance, which are also present in classical music. To me, the difference is in inspiration and
desire to create.
BD: This looks like a
pretty substantial project. There is a splendid demo video on the website and
the cover art is nicely done. How many people are involved in the development
of Legends: Fantasy Violin?
JO: Thank you. I actually made the video and cover art
myself using the Durian Open Movie Project files to create the video and some Photoshop
magic on the cover art. But since the project launched, I am working with
professional artists on album graphics and pictures, and I welcome everyone who
would like to contribute to the CD artistically.
BD: Can you tell us a
bit about the concept behind the CD and what listeners can expect to hear when
it’s released?
JO: I want to share with my listeners the same power of
imagination I experience when writing and hearing fantasy music. I see this CD
as a window to a whole world full of stories, emotions, and memories, scenes of
past and future life... Fantasy music is a wonderful opportunity to convey my
stories and connect with listeners’ imagination at the same time.
BD: How do you
normally record violin for release on CD? Are the tracks for Legends: Fantasy Violin currently being
recorded?
The recording process for "Legends" hasn't started
yet as I would need the Kickstarter resources to actually move forward with the
project. Normally I record violin in the studio, and the professional equipment
and audio services would be made possible with everyone's support.
BD: You are a
professional violinist, have won several awards and performed globally; tell us
about your history with the violin.
JO: I was born into a musical family and started playing at
the age of 6. From the very start I was blessed with the best teachers who raised
and inspired me, and yes, I got to travel all around Europe and USA and won
several competitions as a classical soloist. I’ve lived in Boston for 7 years
now and perform as a member of the New England String Quartet, a group we
founded in 2007.
BD: How do you
usually compose music? For those who don’t know about the process and about
musical notation, can you explain writing music for a violin?
JO: Composing is a complex process, and as I got to talk
with many composers — both classical and video game/movie music—it’s slightly
different for everyone. I combine the old-fashioned music notation with
sampling and improvisation, and when I write for violin I start off by writing
down on paper the melody I hear in my mind. I sing it to myself and play it,
and usually the harmony appears almost instantly. From there, I work on voicing
and instrumentation— I combine real instruments with electronic until the music
is there exactly the way I hear it in my mind.
BD: How long did it
take to compose the pieces for Legends:
Fantasy Violin?
I started working on the pieces in 2011 but it didn't take
two years to write, of course. Musical sketches were being set aside, sometimes
for months, in the absence of a solid plan for release, until I finally just
realized there is so much material that I ought to share it (and I am very
fortunate to find so much support so far).
BD: Why do you think
the violin is a good choice for fantasy music?
JO: Violin is so expressive. I may be biased here but I feel
that violin and human voice are the closest expressions of the soul.
BD: What is fantasy
music? In terms of things like scales, chords and time signatures, what
separates this style of music from traditional classical music?
JO: Fantasy music uses a variety of scales, chords, and time
signatures that are also used in classical music. The difference, in my
opinion, would be approach to melody and harmony progressions which in fantasy
music often rely on Medieval and Renaissance structures, even when some of the
fantasy pieces sound very modern.
BD: How do Medieval
and Renaissance structures differ from Baroque, Classical and Romantic
Structures?
JO: With regard to melody and harmony structures, Medieval
and Renaissance music could be characterized as modal (and consonant), whereas
towards the end of Renaissance, Baroque and later styles developed more
defining characteristics of tonal structures and became increasingly focused on
dissonance. Fantasy music does employ techniques and progressions of later
styles as well, but in my mind, consonance and modality remain imperative at a
core of each composition.
BD: Can you explain
what modal and consonant music sounds like compared to music readers may be
more familiar with?
Some may be familiar with a beautiful piece of Renaissance
music: The Song of Songs by
Palestrina. And a very popular example of modal elements applied in modern
music could be Carmina Burana by Carl
Orff.
BD: Why do you think
gamers in particular will like this CD?
JO: As a collection of nine instrumental fantasy tracks,
this CD may be used as an “orchestration” or musical background for the game. I
think the gamers will enjoy the combination of expression and flow of the
music.
BD: What is the
projected release date of Legends: Fantasy Violin?
JO: The projected release date is September 22nd,
2013!
Posts
