03
February 2012
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Cue of the Week: “Memories of Home”

This week I’m sharing another excerpt from my concert piece Identity: Zhongshan Zhuang, a concerto for guzheng and orchestra. This excerpt, from the second movement, musically illustrates a Taiwanese refugee’s reminiscence of better times.

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.)

Memories of Home
 

27
January 2012
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2 Comments
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Cue of the Week: “Peaceful Times”

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
 

24
January 2012
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“Identity” guzheng concerto now available on iTunes

Identity: Zhongshan Zhuang is now available from online music vendors including the iTunes store. The album presents a studio performance of the piece recorded at Warner Brothers Studios in 2010, as well as several traditional solo guzheng pieces. Su Chang returns as featured soloist, and the United Musicians Symphonic Orchestra of Los Angeles is conducted by Case Scaglione.

Click here to view Identity: Zhongshan Zhuang on the iTunes store.

13
January 2012
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Cue of the Week: “The Shaman”

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
 

06
January 2012
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Cue of the Week: “Into the Dark Forest”

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
 

21
December 2011
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Wizard Ops released for iOS

Wizard Ops

Fantasy-themed action game WizardOps has been released for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad, with an Android version forthcoming.

Michael’s thoughts on the music: “The concept for the score was ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice meets drums ‘n’ bass electronica’, so needless to say it was a really fun compositional undertaking.”

Wizard Ops is currently available for purchase at the iOS app store.

16
December 2011
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Cue of the Week: “Wizards’ Plight”

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
 

Morituri Te Salutant // Michael Gordon Shapiro - Highlights
  1. Morituri Te Salutant // Michael Gordon Shapiro - Highlights
  2. Emerald, Texas // Highlights
  3. Mythic Battle // Highlights
  4. The Yard Sale // Michael Gordon Shapiro - Highlights
  5. Investigations // Highlights
  6. Home Room // Highlights
  7. Sands of Arabia // Highlights
  8. Spider Cult // Highlights
  9. Poker Night // Highlights
  10. Together // Highlights