The bassoon is a lyrical and versatile instrument, but many times is relegated to music with a comedic or clownish character. This cue is one of those times.

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This choral/orchestral piece accompanies a cutscene in the game Empire Earth 2 wherein the historical Knights Templar are cast in an ominous light. The lyrics are a twisted take on the familiar Kyrie Eleison: while the chorus starts with the conventional words, the basses and tenors switch to Ohi Eleison, meaning “No Mercy”.

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One fun thing film composers get to do is use instrumentation to give a signature sound to a colorful character. The 2006 feature film Siren was your classic let’s-make-a-band type movie. When I set out to write a theme for the laid back, smooth-talking bass player, I picked instrumentation that fit his personality: slide guitar, finger snaps, and two electric basses. Fun ensued.

(Slide guitar and bass performances courtesy of the inimitable Tom Strahle.)

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Written for a short film starring Len Lesser (of Seinfeld fame), this comedic cue blends Benny Goodman-esque clarinet with an orchestral backdrop.

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This week’s selection comes from one of my first game scoring projects, Jane’s Attack Squadron. Accompanying aerial combat during gameplay, the music evokes both heroic derring-do and the tumult of battle.

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