With the legend
of King Arthur as its theme, this is surely one of the most
ambitious musical projects ever undertaken by an individual. As
sole composer, performer, arranger and producer, Caudel has created
a recording of epic proportion, formulating his own unique simulation
of full symphony orchestra plus choirs and a Rock Section (up to
70 multi-tracked parts) and adding to this his own emotive Guitar
style on both Classical and Electric Guitars. In essence it is a
programmatical Rock Symphony based upon the life of King Arthur.
Themes
and melodies, which recur throughout the piece, represent
characters and events, and actions are literally depicted in the
music - pictures are 'painted in sound'. This can be heard for example
in the first minutes of track 2 'Call of Destiny' which depict Arthur's
origins as the son of a Roman General - you can almost see Roman
Legions marching! Then there is perhaps the most graphic example
of this 'soundscaping' in the final track 'A Legend is Born'. This
depicts Arthur's final battle and we actually hear the blow which
fells him followed by two poignant farewells, first on Classical
then Electric Guitar before, amidst swirling mists, Arthur's body
is borne away across the sea to Avalon.
1.The
Earth in Turquoise
An
orchestral Prelude introducing motifs of characters and events which
recur throughout the album. An example is the opening theme - this
is the clashing sword motif of Arthur which appears in every track.
2. Call of Destiny
Looking through the mists of time, Roman legions are on the march;
this is the world into which Arthur was born. As the mood lightens
Arthur grows into manhood, exhilarated by his first sense of purpose
and great deeds to come.
3.
Coronation
The
splendour of Camelot on the day a new king is crowned.
4.
Gargantuan
At
a tournament of swordplay and jousting, Arthur witnesses the invincible
power of Lancelot, the bravest and strongest of the knights.
5.
Forbidden Love
A
portrayal of the doomed romance between Lancelot and Guinevere.
6.
Dark of Night
Arthur has a premonition in which he foresees his own downfall and
the disintegration of everything he has achieved.
7.
Eve of Battle/Dawn
On
the eve of his last battle, Arthur sits alone looking out upon his
kingdom. With sorrow and mounting anguish he is tormented by thoughts
of what might have been, but as dawn breaks and troops assemble on
the hills he is resolved to his fate.
8.
A Legend is Born
The final battle
with all its ferocity is broken for a brief moment by Arthur's reflections
on happier times. Amidst the continuing conflict, a fatal sword
blow renders Arthur mortally wounded. As his body is borne away,
an all-engulfing mist envelops the barge as it sails towards the
setting sun, across the sea to Avalon.
The
Arthurian Legend in music - The Earth in Turquoise - CD by Stephen
Caudel
