Dark Expression
There are four main compositional sections to Dark Expression. The Section descriptions below are not static to each movement but serve to encapsulate the overall impression.
Intro + A Section: Mystical, Arcane, Ominous, Foreboding.
B Section: Trepidation, Uneasy, Trudging, Plodding.
B1 Section: Fervent, Cryptic, Ponderous, Apprehensive.
C Section + Outro: Impassioned, Heroic, Sanguine, Optimistic
This orchestral score is comprised of Strings, Woodwinds, and Percussion. The absence of Brass lends to the darker, ill-omened timbre but a Harp occasionally adds an auspicious mystical shimmer. Additional modern Synth sounds create an esoteric quality that lurks in the background. The melodic theme is mysterious and beguiling, sometimes heavy, trudging, and mournful. At other times it is heroic, bold, daring, elevated, and encouraging. There is a powerful, driving, and constant forward momentum that saturate this piece; it possesses an alluring groove.
Mystical, Arcane, Ominous, Foreboding.
Mystical, Arcane, Ominous, Foreboding.
Trepidation, Uneasy, Trudging, Plodding, Fervent, Cryptic, Ponderous, Apprehensive
Impassioned, Heroic, Sanguine, Optimistic.
Uplifting, Glorious, Triumphant, Impassioned, Heroic, Sanguine, Optimistic.
A lighter, delicate version of the full score that is perfect for incidental or change of scene music.
7. Solo Piano - Intro + A Section. As the above Solo Piano full score description and can serve as a setup to the mood invoked.
8. Solo Piano - B + C Section + Outro. As the above Solo Piano Full Score description but has more forward motion and drama then the Intro + A Section.
A beautiful and uplifting short cue.
10. Piano and Strings - Full Score. Denser than the Solo Piano, but lighter due to the absence of the driving percussion, the Piano and Strings alone retains the beguiling harmonic and melodic content of the Complete Score.
11. Piano and Strings - Intro + A Section. As the above Piano and Strings Full Score description and can serve as a setup to the mood invoked.
12. Piano and Strings - B1 + C + Outro. As the above Piano and Strings Full Score description but has more forward motion and drama then the Intro + A Section. The beautiful and uplifting Outro brings peace to this piece.
13. Woodwinds and Percussion - Full Score. The Percussion and Woodwinds provide a stark version of Dark Expression. The harmonic and melodic content are present in an unadorned form. The beguiling drive of the Percussion provides an unrelenting forward motion.
14. Woodwinds and Percussion - Intro + A Section. As the above Woodwinds and Percussion Full Score description and can serve as a setup to the mood invoked.
15. Woodwinds and Percussion - B + B1 Sections. As the above Woodwinds and Percussion Full Score description with an emphasis on the drive of the Percussion contrasted with minimal harmonic and melodic content. It’s just enough to be familiar from the Complete Score, like a thin shadow of itself.
16. Woodwinds and Percussion - Last A + Outro. As the above Woodwinds and Percussion Full Score description with an emphasis on the drive of the Percussion. The harmonic content is somewhat denser and fuller and the melody is recognizable from the Complete Score.
17. Strings and Woodwinds - No Melody - Full Score. The Strings and Woodwinds alone provide a thick and lush version of Dark Expression. The melodic Percussion is present for it’s sparkle but the absence of the Percussion proper lightens the overall feel, but doesn’t completely remove the forward momentum. The Strings and Woodwinds counter melodies assumes this impetus.
18. Strings and Woodwinds - No Melody - A Section. As the above Strings and Woodwinds Full Score description and can serve as a setup to the mood invoked. There is drive and an urgency.
19. Strings and Woodwinds - No Melody - B + B1 Sections. As the above Strings and Woodwinds Full Score description. There is a lighter, delicate, yet uneasy quality. The Woodwinds provide a grounded bottom while the Strings perform a mystic, otherworldly, convolute dance.
20. Strings and Woodwinds - No Melody - C Section + Outro. As the above Strings and Woodwinds Full Score description. The mystic, otherworldly and convolute dances of the Strings continue against the grounded Woodwinds. The mood is elevated now and coalesces in conclusion with the uplifting and glorious Outro
The Percussion alone is all about drive, movement, and groove. Sometimes sparse, other times thick and heavy, it’s always moving and pushing unrelentingly forward
As the above Percussion Full Score description. The B Section is driven by the sparseness of the Taiko drum and Tympani.
As the above Percussion Full Score description. The B1 Section is denser with the addition of a more prominent Tympani melody and Cymbals that pulse and wash the underlying pulse.
24. Percussion - B1 + C Sections + Outro. As the above Percussion Full Score description. The B1 Section explodes into the fiercely driving C Section with the addition of thunderous Bass Drums
25. Percussion - C Section + Outro. As the above Percussion Full Score description. Taiko, Tympani, Cymbals, and Bass Drums drive and push hard toward the shimmering conclusion.