This week I’m happy to share an excerpt from Identity: Zhongshan Zhuang, my concerto for guzheng and orchestra which was released this week by Hanyi.

The concerto is what’s sometimes called “program music”, meaning that it corresponds to a story, similarly to how a film score accompanies a movie. This excerpt, near the opening of the first movement, evokes pastoral pre-war times in the Chinese countryside.

The full album, which also contains several solo guzheng pieces, is available from most online music retailers, including iTunes and Amazon.

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

	Peaceful Times

A short and sweet film cue for oboe and strings. (There’s a bit of a pun buried in the title, as the scene in question depicted a romantic interlude between a lawyer and client.)

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

	A Brief Connection

In celebration of Friday the 13th, this week’s music is on the creepy side. Woodwinds and low-register harp alternate in the foreground while agitated drones play in the periphery of audibility. (That’s music-speak for “on the creepy side”.)


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

	The Shaman

This week’s music is another orchestral action cue from Wizard Ops, accompanying the titular sorcerer’s adventures through the forest and into the lair of… well, actually it’s best described as a giant armed lair.

If you would like to hear the music in context (and play a fun game while you’re at it) apparate over to the iOS app store.


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

	Into the Dark Forest

This week’s selection is the music that accompanies the introductory cinematic for the iOS/Android game Wizard Ops. The developers crafted an elaborate backstory to the game, which manifests as a series of mini-movies. I used a “crazy” trill figure in the clarinet to characterize the Mad Maker, the wizards’ nemesis. I have a feeling we’ll be facing him in forthcoming installments of the game!

If you’d like to hear the music in context, dig up 99 gold pieces… er, cents… and head over to iOS app store.


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

	Wizards’ Plight