Sound Occupies Space
Symphoniacal is an epic homage to the most powerful and moving musical scores in television, film, and video games.
This project began over a decade ago when I mixed a few of my favorite songs from movie soundtracks into a twenty-minute compilation. That was version 1. Over the years, I have added songs, removed them, edited them, tweaked them, and worked on the overall sound. It eventually took on a life of its own, and I have been working on it ever since.
Like so many other people, I grew up watching movies and playing video games. I spent countless hours listening to everything from classical music to heavy metal, and was a performing musician for several years. Consequently, Symphoniacal is much more than a compilation of my favorite songs. I have tried to use my love for certain forms of entertainment along with my understanding of musical composition to combine dozens of songs, sound effects, and audio clips into a single piece of music. It is a musical collage that is intended to be an experience just like watching a movie.
It is important to note that I did not write any of these songs. My only tools were my music collection, computers, headphones, and editing software. I did not have the symphonies, keyboards, or vocal talents at my disposal to create this music. Regardless of those limitations, it has become my goal to create a completely novel and unique album using the music of others as my medium and your mind as my canvas.
What Symphoniacal is:
- a work in progress
- symphonic music
- instrumental soundtracks
- dozens of songs blended together
- sound effects from various sources
- audio clips from historic figures and films
What Symphoniacal is not:
- for sale
- a simple remix album
- a song compilation album
Listening Guide
This is a Google document that I try to keep updated. It’s not necessarily the most accurate description because I spend more time working on the music than this guide, and things change much faster than I can keep up. Still, it should be close enough to enhance your listening experience. If you are having trouble viewing it, you can load the document directly from here.
Spoken Words
I realize that it may be hard to understand everything that is being said in those few moments where spoken words can be heard. This was intentional because you’re really supposed to focus on the music, except when it’s completely obvious. Besides, anyone addicted to soundtracks can tune the actors out when their favorite music is singing in the background. Sometimes the actor’s lines are included in the musical cue, which emphasizes (rather than dominates) the musical point. I know some people would like to know what they’re saying, so I included them for you to read. If you know the date, place, or context these quotes were made, please use the contact form and let me know.
Winston Churchill:
Ah, this is not the end. No, it is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
Franklin D. Roosevelt:
December 7th, 1941: A date which will live in infamy.
Natalie Portman (as Evey from the movie “V for Vendetta”, screenplay by the Wachowski Brothers):
God is in the rain.
Sendhil Ramamurthy (as Mohinder Suresh from the TV series “Heroes”, written by Tim Kring):
Where does it come from — this quest — this need to solve life’s mysteries when the simplest of questions can never be answered? Why are we here? What is the soul? Why do we dream? Perhaps we’d be better off not looking at all…not delving, not yearning. But that’s not human nature, not the human heart. That is not why we are here.
John Travolta (as Gabriel Shear from the movie “Swordfish”, written by Skip Woods):
You know what the problem with Hollywood is…they make shit. Unbelievable, unremarkable shit. Now, I’m not some grungy wannabe filmmaker, that’s searching for existentialism through a haze of bong smoke or something. No, it’s easy to pick apart bad acting, short-sighted directing, and a purely moronic stringing together of words that many of the studios term as prose. No, I’m talking about the lack realism…realism. Not a pervasive element in today’s modern American cinematic vision.
Aldous Huxley:
The intensity of the experience is entirely unlike any ordinary experience. But on the other hand it’s quite obvious it resembles spontaneous experiences certain artists and religious people have unquestionably had. It’s immense intensification of the world, the transfiguration of the external world into incredible beauty and significance. It’s also beyond this kind of aesthetic experience, I mean, the other experiences…sense of solidarity with the universe, solidarity with other people…understanding of such phrases as read in the book of Job, ‘Yay, though he slay me, yet I will trust in Him,’ becomes quite comprehensible. This thing opens the door to these experiences, which can be of immense value to people, if they choose to make use of them (or if they don’t choose to). I mean, this is what the Catholics call gratuitous grace. It doesn’t guarantee salvation, or…is not sufficient and is not necessary for salvation, but if it can be collaborated with and used in an intelligent way, it can be of immense help to people. The sense that in spite of everything — which, of course, is the ultimate…I suppose the ultimate mystical conviction — in spite of pain, in spite of death, in spite of horror, the Universe is in some mysterious sense all right, capital A, capital R.
Sources
Composers, writers, musicians, and speakers…this project was only possible because of the people who have created these powerful and dark sounds. This is not a complete list, but I try to keep it as accurate as possible. If you hear something that is missing or have a better suggestion for a name, link, or anything…PLEASE let me know.
Composers
David Arnold, Klaus Badelt, Tyler Bates, Christophe Beck, Bill Brown, Paul Buckmaster, Charlie Clouser, Don Davis, Danny Elfman, Michael Giacchino, Clytus Gottwald, Harry Gregson-Williams, Ronan Hardiman, Gustav Holst, James Horner, James Newton Howard, Steve Jablonsky, Michael Kamen, Jesper Kyd, Dario Marianelli, Gerard Marino, Bear McCreary, John Powell, Howard Shore, Alan Silvestri, Jeremy Soule, Michael Stearns, Cris Velasco, John Williams, Hans Zimmer
Writers
H.G. Wells
Musicians
The Dust Brothers, E.S. Posthumus, Lisa Gerrard, Juno Reactor, Vanessa Mae
Speakers
Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Writers
Aldous Huxley
Actors
Richard Burton, John Travolta
Reviews
“I think it sounds amazing.”
Cris Velasco
“Stunning!”
Hidden Image
“What an excellent idea!! And great array of composers – dark, epic, rousing and powerful… some very nice blends.”
Infected Music Designs
“I was stunned when I heard your work. Great job connecting all this movie tracks in one unbelievable music piece. Keep up the good work!”
Tomek
“The way you edit the music cannot be put into words properly! Fantastic is a great beginning! I too am a product of films and as a writer, I find these composers a great inspiration to my craft. Thank you for thinking outside the box!”
Tyler
“Very cool idea/concept and it sounds great, like you really are watching the movie, love it! =)”
Jillian Riscoe
“I think ye got some really great talent! Yer music is very unique and epic.”
The Number 1 Pirates of the Caribbean Expert
“very cool, very impressive, unique”
Christine Moore
“Dude you rock. Symphoniacal will make great ambiance for my games.”
MOOP
“This is a very cool concept!”
Bella Rumore
“I love your music it’s really amazing!”
eM
“Awesome sounds!”
Darth Bruticus
“Wonderful work!”
Dead Industrie
“Great sounds!”
Battleground Victory
“Sounds fantastic.”
Impaler
“Really interesting concept you have, sounds great…”
Nynnoc
“I like your music. Your sound is very BIG!”
Andy (of The Whatevers)
“Very interesting concept– pretty cool!”
Rick Jacobi
“Good work on this timeless music!”
Dawn & Dusk Entwined
“Very interesting mix you have put together here, great job.”
Deerstet Music
“Marvelous music! Great piece of orchestral work!”
Maciej Mutwil
“Simply awesome! We look forward to hearing more of your musical collages.”
EntropiK
“Great project!!”
Samadhi
“This is very great music, keep it up!!!!!”
C. Schauer
“Beautiful – absolutely! Love the energy here!”
The Muse
“I like your music very much.”
Victor Amadi
“Fantastic work…”
Artoro
“Chapter 26 is just awesome :D”
Virulys
“Great work! Congratulations.”
Sadaemon
“That’s fantastic! I love the mix. The big drums got my attention. I’ll be back to see more. :-)”
Candice Bennett
“Wow. The sounds are wondrous and ethereal. Take me to another place. Very cool!”
Angelica Waters
“Wow! Your work is really very interesting!”
Renaud Schmitt
“I really like this…great stuff!”
Sandra Valdis
“This stuff is amazing, a really great concept, i love it!”
Mladen Kalinic
“Wow!…thats all i can say…amazing stuff.”
Steven J. Mihaljevich
“I think your musical collages are beautiful and mesmerizing.”
Edwin Sykes
“Terrific concept!”
Michael Palmieri
“This is sooo cool…great concept, great execution…”
Doug Thompson
“Beautiful compilation, I really enjoy listening to this music soooo much.”
Maite Itoiz
“I think what you’ve done is masterful & brave. All I want now is the album! :o)”
John J. Woodward
“Awesome concept you have going here. I love it!”
Jesse (Trico Films)