Andrew Griffiths - Following The Flame (Dilyn Y Fflam): Original Soundtrack Composed By Andrew Griffiths
STYLE: Orchestral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 115214-18142 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Matthew Cordle
Following The Flame is the name of a multimedia exhibition commissioned by the National Assembly For Wales to celebrate Wales' achievements in the Olympics over the last 100 years or so. Andrew Griffiths, a prolific Welsh soundtrack composer (see the informative Cross Rhythms interview with him) was commissioned to write music to accompany the exhibition, which is on tour for three years. The music is a mix of sampled and live instruments alongside choral voices, and Andrew plays all the live instruments himself apart from the drums. From the outset of the opening "War" the atmosphere is dramatic, conjuring up medieval military scenes with pounding ethnic drums, percussive strings, triumphant brass and dark choral textures. Three very short scenes transition through to "Prometheus And The Flame" with its suitably Olympian grandeur presumably depicting Prometheus' theft of fire from the sun and his gift of it to mankind against Zeus' decree. "Dioganese And The Flame" introduces a more pastoral, folk mood courtesy of the mandolin and bamboo quena flute before "Welsh Olympians" returns to celebratory grandeur. Andrew's music is well crafted, with interesting harmonic progressions and much use of dynamic contrast for creating tension and release. He demonstrates an excellent understanding of orchestration/tonal combination both for sweeping thematic material and dramatic effect. No wonder he's busy!
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