Not just for kids: Concert gives video games orchestral edge |
| Not just for kids: Concert gives video games orchestral edge Posted: 26 Feb 2011 09:56 AM PST Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 Three days. That's all it took for Tommy Tallarico to enter the video game industry after moving to California from Massachusetts. On his first day of selling keyboards at a music store, he chatted up a producer from Virgin Games, and landed a job as a game tester. It wasn't long before the 21-year-old found himself creating audio for the original "Prince of Persia." In the early 1990s, scoring games using archaic technology wasn't easy. "Back then, the most challenging part wasn't necessarily coming up with the music," Tallarico recalls. "It was getting it to sound like something. You'd have an idea in your head, and that may take a day, but getting it to sound good may take a week." Now, more than two decades into his career, Tallarico is one of the most prolific audio artists in the history of video games. His 250-plus credits include "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater," "Metroid Prime" and "Blood Rayne." Two of his favorites couldn't be more different: the operatic "Advent Rising" for Xbox and PC and the multi-platform goofiness of "Earthworm Jim." Since 2002, Tallarico and fellow composer Jack Wall have concentrated on Video Games Live (VGL), a multimedia show in which world-class orchestras play game soundtracks in sync with lights and video footage. Segments include the revered ("Halo"), the classic ("Super Mario Bros.") and the obscure ("Afrika"). Tallarico, playing guitar, will join conductor Wataru Hokoyama and members of the National Philharmonic for a pair of shows on Saturday. "My whole goal in creating Video Games Live was to prove to the world how culturally significant and artistic video games have become," Tallarico says. "I like to describe it as having all the power and emotion of a symphony and choir, combined with the energy and excitement of a rock concert." One of Tallarico's greatest contributions is transitioning game audio from bleeps and bloops to real music. In 1993, the Sega CD shooter "The Terminator" used live guitar, bass and drums. Not everyone thought it was a good idea. "I remember letting some of the producers hear it, and they didn't like it," says Tallarico. "They were like, 'This doesn't sound right. It doesn't sound like video game music.' I was like, 'Yeah, that's the idea.' It was kind of shocking at the time." This spirit of mixing video games with organic melodies carries over into each VGL performance. The shows are a chance for gamers to hear their favorite scores in a new way and participate in side activities, such as a costume contest. To Tallarico, the shows are much more. Melding modern technology and classical music helps bridge gaps. "We're ushering in a whole new generation of young people to come out and appreciate the symphony and the arts," Tallarico points out. "It really is a show for everybody." For the orchestras that VGL collaborates with, the multimedia aspects and departure from Ludwig van Beethoven have become almost routine. Judy Silverman, associate principal violist for the National Philharmonic, says she and her fellow musicians often play concerts that include newer music and video displays. The Rockville resident is excited to play music that her grandchildren will find familiar. "I've heard a lot of the music because you can find it online, and it sounds like very good film music," Silverman says. "I think it will be a lot of fun." One of VGL's biggest local supporters is the Gamer Symphony Orchestra (GSO), a student-run ensemble at the University of Maryland, College Park. When they're not performing, the members eat together, go to movies together and, yes, play video games together. GSO president Rob Garner says when VGL asked them to promote the Strathmore shows via the Internet and flier distribution, they happily agreed. "It's almost vindicating in a way," Garner says. "It says to us that what we're doing is important. To get this nod of approval from Video Games Live is immensely satisfying." The GSO is taking their dedication one step further by lending one of their arrangements and a member of the group to the concerts. Garner, a graduate student studying library science, is tight-lipped about details. "What I can say is that the soloist for this piece is a vocalist, so this piece does have a choral component," he explains. "The piece of music will be recognizable to almost anyone with even a passing familiarity with video games, I think." This element of surprise trickles down to each concert. With more than70 segments in their repertoire and only time for about 20 during a show, no two set lists are alike. Fans should expect the classics and maybe an underappreciated gem. "We always want it to be dynamic," says Tallarico. "If we come back to [Strathmore], you know it's going to be completely different." jedwards@gazette.net See Video Games Live Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets for each show range from $35 to $69. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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