This is a medley of two cues from The Penguin Who Wouldn’t Swim, embodying the “drama in a storybook world” flavor common to the music in that score. I love the string performances in this recording – they came out wonderfully expressive.

(It’s a bit sad that the fabulous musicianship in studio recordings is often anonymous. I do my best to keep track of musicians who play for me, but in the case of a string section brought in by a contractor it can definitely be tricky.)

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

	Egon’s Decision

No, that’s not the title of a Bond film. This piece is part of Empire Earth 3, and accompanies a foreboding image of the Earth spinning in space. The tone is initially ethereal, then grows with militaristic intensity.

Any composer writing this kind of music faces an artistic challenge: try not to rip off Holst. I didn’t fare too badly here. There are a few voices-and-celeste moments that are reminiscent of the later movements of the Planets symphony, but by and large I don’t think I gave Gustov’s estate much legal ammunition.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

	Above the World

A short and sweet little tune for harpsichord, recorders, and glockenspiel. There’s something of a “once upon a time” feeling at work here.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

	Little Village

This week’s selection is a dark and brooding cue for piano, cello, and strings, written for a thriller film a few years back. I’m indebted to studio veteran John Acosta for his fabulous cello performance.

(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)

	The Final Painting