Structural analysis of Tomb Raider: Underworld cue(s)

"Panthers vs. Poachers" (from Tomb Raider: Underworld) was analysed in detail as part of a video game music blog entry for Gamasutra: "Video game active ambient music and figurative silence". In the article, University of Pretoria alumnus Pieter Smal, also responsible for a dissertation on the music to Crystal Dynamics' second Tomb Raider continuation, discusses track extracts from other games too - including Fable III, Simcity, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Rayman: Origins:

"Panthers Vs. Poachers features an interesting form: an extended binary form with repeats inside and outside... O'Malley included a bridge that modulates from A to B, repeating both A and B with slight changes... Scale-like violin writing thickens the texture... After brass swells... the bridge section starts... featuring a melody in the cellos and basses. Violins joins the ensemble... tremolo arpeggiating violins, ending in a tonic repetition doubled with swelling choir." - Pieter Smal

Featuring in the Southern Mexico segment of the game, the track is part of the Tomb Raider: Underworld community developed soundtrack and is a recycled sibling to Coastal Thailand's "Pouncing Tigers".

Musical dissertation by Pieter Smal analyses "Unifying elements in the Tomb Raider Trilogy game soundtracks"

Composer Pieter Smal today publishes his academic music dissertation. The highly detailed work focuses on the "Unifying Elements in the Tomb Raider Trilogy game soundtracks"; examining the music of Legend, Anniversary and Underworld composed by Colin O'Malley & Troels Folmann.

"The Tomb Raider game trilogy was developed between 2006 and 2008 by the gaming company Crystal Dynamics. It consists of three games: Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary and Tomb Raider: Underworld. Crystal Dynamics hired Troels Folmann to compose the soundtracks for Legend and Anniversary. He remained as music supervisor for Underworld while the bulk of the soundtrack was composed by Colin O'Malley.

The aim of this study is to examine the use of unifying elements in the Tomb Raider Trilogy game soundtracks. These elements may unite the soundtracks in particular or the trilogy as a collective.

Perhaps the most unifying element is the Tomb Raider motif. This figure is heard sequentially and appears as thematic transformations in Underworld. Other themes heard are the main themes for Legend and Underworld." - Pieter Smal

The dissertation was completed for Smal's Bachelor of Music at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. A copy of the dissertation may be read by Academia.edu users, or by contacting Pieter Smal. All of the appended tracks can be streamed via our Community Developed Discography.

Rumour: Official soundtrack to Tomb Raider in the works?

Clara [CA] from Tomb Raider Forums, web-mistress since 2003 of long time French fan-site Captain Alban, recently attended a special demo for Tomb Raider (2012). Community Manager, Meagan Marie, as well as other Crystal Dynamics officials made their presence at Square Enix France HQ for the event. The display was held on the 23rd of September, 2011, for 15 lucky French fan site administrators.

Clara has summarised her experience in an article, taking time to ask some questions from eager fans and collecting subsequent responses from Crystal. One interesting topic ushers an answer pertaining to the possibility of a Collector's Edition and soundtrack release:

"Crystal Dynamics are going to do all they can to release a valuable Collector's Edition as well as an official soundtrack."

This follows Marie's earlier emphasis on the studio's desire to release an album.

If a video game soundtrack to Tomb Raider is sold as a separate marketable commodity, this will mark the first said occurrence in 15 years of the franchise. Tomb Raider will join a growing plethora of video game music releases from other blockbuster titles such as the Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed series.

The composer for Tomb Raider is supposedly in-house and somewhat renowned, with Global Brand Director Karl Stewart hoping there's not an ear talented enough amongst fans that is able to "sleuth him out". They take the reigns from the departed Colin O'Malley (Underworld) and Crystal's series continuation main-stay Troels Folmann. The mastermind has not yet been named, but an announcement is expected before 2011 is out.

Be sure to read up on our coverage on the music of Tomb Raider (2012) for up to date samples and news!

New author introduction: Liszt

Hello.

My name is Pieter Smal (aka Liszt). I am a pianist and composer studying at the University of Pretoria (South Africa). In September 2010 I decided to start an analysis of the soundtracks to Tomb Raider: Legend, Anniversary and Underworld. One year later and I am far from finished.

With the help of various interviews with Troels Folmann and Colin O'Malley, I am analyzing the use of motifs, themes, theme transformations (especially in Underworld) and unifying elements in orchestration, rhythm and other stylistic elements.

In due time I shall blog more about relevant information, and hopefully share the finished product with you online. Feel free to contact me or ask a few questions in the comments section below.

Update: Smal's work ultimately assembled into a scholarly dissertation, published in 2013.

Two RaiderFest 2011 entries surface online

IndyCroft.com is holding a competition for the best original compositions, renditions or remixes of the Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones themes.

Prominent Tomb Raider fan-tribute composer Marcus Trogen is amongst the panel of judges. If you though it couldn't get any more serious; there's either an "Art of Tomb Raider" hardback (valued at $175) or a 12" Indy Sideshow Collectibles Figurine for the 1st place winner to chew their fingernails over.

It is surprising then that as of yet, there are few entries to be found upon the vast internet. If you're still considering making a submission (the competition is open until August 22nd), here's a taste of what you are up against:

The first is a beautiful piano performance by Matt L. from YouTube, reiterating Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness's main theme by Peter Connelly in their own interpretation. This smooth concoction includes an interesting variant, filled with staccato and arpeggios.

The second is a more electronic piece; a witty remix of layered material from Tomb Raider: Legend & Underworld, composed by Troels Brun Folmann & Colin O'Malley. It finishes with Mike Peaslee's combat soundtrack from Lara's Shadow, intertwined with Nathan McCree's original Tomb Raider motif from 1996.

If you'd like to share your currently unpublicised RaiderFest entry with us online, feel free to drop us a comment below.

Tomb Raider music "mashed-up" by thatnorskchick

Long-time Tomb Raider fan icon thatnorskchick purports their always audacious creative genius with this excellently discovered complementation:

The mash-up consists of three Tomb Raider pieces; the percussion taken from Tomb Raider: Underworld (2008), composed by Colin O'Malley, the orchestrated strings present are used in Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (2003), composed by Peter Connelly and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, plus you might also be able to hear samples of the Tomb Raider: Legend theme composed by BAFTA-award-winning Troels Brun Folmann.

Troels Folmann on Underworld, ghosts & micro-scoring

Troels Brun Folmann is the mastermind behind the BAFTA-Award-winning Tomb Raider: Legend (2006) soundtrack. The Danish trailer score composer also completed follow-up Anniversary's score (in homage to Nathan McCree) in 2007, and is supervising the bulk of Tomb Raider: Underworld's (2008) in-game music, composed by Colin O'Malley.

During all the pre-media hype surrounding Underworld, Folmann has been interviewed by Crystal Dynamic's Community Manager, Keir Edmonds, during the third pod-cast for the title. It's quite a long one, so please take a read after the jump: