David Arkenstone | Interview | New Album, ‘Music Inspired by Middle Earth Volume ll’
David Arkenstone recently released a Lord of the Rings-inspired journey of 14 original compositions that showcase Arkenstone’s impressive compositional range from gentle orchestrals to soothing soundscapes and epic cinematic anthems.
The ‘Music Inspired by Middle Earth Volume ll’ comes almost exactly 20 years after ‘Volume I,’ a bestseller in Arkenstone’s vast discography. “The first ‘Inspired by Middle Earth’ was an intimidating album to do,” Arkenstone says. “The way I created the first album – and now ‘Volume II’ – is choosing elements of the story I wanted to illuminate musically, then closing my eyes, getting the instruments in front of me – guitar, keyboard, flute, pennywhistle – and then experiment by putting sounds together, like a form of Impressionism,” Arkenstone says. “It’s a lot like painting on a canvas. Not every melody popped out instantly, but my aim was always to make music I thought reflected what I felt about Tolkien’s words and stories.” Music Inspired by Middle Earth, Vol II was composed, performed and produced by David Arkenstone, and recorded at the artist’s new studio, The Bamboo Room, in Arroyo Grande, CA. The album includes performances by violinist Luanne Homzy, and vocalist Jillian Aversa, original artwork by Robert Zico, and is published by Dream Palace Publishing (BMI).
“I worked out which moments in the Lord of the Rings trilogy I felt I could illustrate through my music”
It’s really nice to have you, David. What was the original idea when you started working on ‘Middle Earth’?
David Arkenstone: Thanks for having me! Well, it has been about 20 years since I recorded ‘Music Inspired by Middle Earth Volume I,’ so I thought it might be the right time to add to that musical legacy. I felt I had much more to say, and that I was better skilled at my craft. And the books are always with me. So I’m always thinking about bits of the story I may want to provide music for.
‘Vol II’ was just recently released, was it planned from the start and you just completed it or was the idea born later?
It was certainly planned! I worked out which moments in the Lord of the Rings trilogy I felt I could illustrate through my music and then it began. I felt like I was on my own journey. I kind of worked on the songs all at once, jumping back and forth between the pieces as they were under construction. This way I think I ended up with a nice palette of sounds.
“Each “sound painting” required a different musical palette”
Would you like to tell us about the recording and producing process for it? Was it typical for you or did you have to work a bit differently this time around?
One of the differences with this album is that I had an idea which pieces I was going to write and sort of followed my own “script.” Then deciding which instruments I would use became clearer. Each “sound painting” required a different musical palette. I enjoyed using choir voices on some tracks and violin.
We would love it if you could take us a bit deeper into your own world of creating ‘Middle Earth’…
Modern composers have a great many tools to use in their work. I approached each piece as if I was a “musical illustrator.” I explored different sounds as I began each piece, though I also knew it was going to be primarily orchestral. I also tried to place myself in the right frame of mind for each, as if I was inside the books. I worked a lot from images in my own mind to come up with some of the music. Many times I tried to just create music I would like to hear!
The album itself is very complex. Was it difficult to finish it?
Well, with art it’s sometimes difficult to know when you are finished as you can always keep adding things and tweaking and shading, et cetera. When I ran out of ideas that contributed to each sound painting, I figured I was done! In the future I could see a ‘Vol. lll’!
What are some of the most important artists that influenced your own style and what in particular did they employ?
The artists I enjoy encompass a fairly wide range, starting with classical influences like Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Mussorgsky but then to The Beatles, Peter Gabriel, and John Williams. I appreciate different facets of each of their styles. I also listen to a lot of music from around the world.
What are some future plans for you now? What else currently occupies your life?
I finished an 18 city US tour in December. That is always great fun, as I get to meet the people who support me and enjoy the music I create. I also have two more albums I’m working on to be released in 2023.
How would you place ‘Middle Earth’ in your vast and rich discography and at the same time, how would you compare it with some previous releases like for instance your debut album, ‘Valley in the Clouds’?
I would say I have improved a lot since my first recording, as I was still figuring a lot of things out. Now I have a better understanding of how to put my own music together and how to craft better “stories” within the music. Better compositions have come with experience, I think.
Thank you. Last word is yours.
I was grateful to find a wonderful illustrator named Robert Zigo, from Slovakia to do the artwork for the album. I think he really captured the atmosphere very well.
Thanks very much for your interesting questions. It’s sometimes difficult to talk about music, but I hope what I had to say made sense! I am hoping those who are reading this go and check out my music and follow my career. Thanks again!
Klemen Breznikar
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