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Vortigern's Fortress (EKNM)
by TobinMueller

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Submitted on: Jul 16, 2008 - 10:35:16 AM
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Keywords organ (78)pipe organ (4)Merlyn (4)King Arthur (1)Rick Wakeman (1)Vincent Persichetti (1)Francis Poulenc (1)Michel Legrand (1)
Description In the hall of the King, behind a giant tapestry, a pipe organ was discovered. The King commissioned me to compose a piece for pipe organ to inaugurate the discovery. I used a variation from an earlier work, a solo piano piece entitled Chaos of the Subconscious*, for the opening and closing sections, but the middle is an improvisation fit for A Little Night Music.

The title "Vortigern's Fortress" comes from the scene in Merlin's youth in which King Vortigern is establishng his fortress yet it keeps falling. He forces a young devil child known to possess prophetic powers (Merlin) to tell him how to fix the problem. Merlin sees a vision and discovers that dragons are living beneath the foundation. (Merlin was also an architect/builder of sorts.)

I added tympani to the final variation for dramatic reasons, befitting a court appearance.

Thank you, again, Prince Feter, for introducing me to the Duke who introduced me to the King's concubine who helped me discover what was behind that giant tapestry and ended up helping me to get this gig.

*Actually, it's more of a fragmented variation, since it sifts out whole bits from the chaotic hodgepodge of that piano piece... and, actually, if you listen to this organ work before you listen to the piano piece, Chaos of the Subconscious makes much more sense.
Hardware Please turn this up as loud as you can! I couldn't compress it any more without wrecking the dynamics. (It's already too compressed, actually.)
Software: 11 different organ patches went into this pipe organ simulation.
Fan List

Feter

Tom Atwood

einkleinenatchmusicmj

peacepiano

Skean

sloparts

SpasmodicMan

jiguma

michael2

Moviz

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dajama

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Lightman-

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Feter said 128 days ago
Vortigern's Fortress
Ahh Lord Tobin this is a delightfull
dramatic organ work ..I love pipe organ ...
and you gave that massinieh(spell) feel for your
organ work ..you certainly one of the best
who wrote with drama on every piece of music.
the change of the paddle was amazing ...so angelic
the progress you made that began with the drums
then the orchestra ..exactly refelct what I said
in the beginning ..of your drama feel to all of
your music ..this is glorious ...large and magistic
and fits the King mood ..just fabulous ...
Deepest Bow my Lord !!!



Tom Atwood said 127 days ago
Nice Pipes
I like the intro and close, but I love the middle improv section. Very cool piece.

In the interests of constructive criticism - I am not sure if the snare drum works for me. Could be my system, but the percussion overall sounded a little tinny, and did not add much drama. Again, though, that middle section is wonderful.

Now I will vote carefully following the pull down menu guidelines: 9-9-8-10

peacepiano said 127 days ago
Chaos
Very cool how the organ makes the parts from "Chaos" sound so different. Must say that I admire your ability to use such sophisticated harmonies.

Thanks
Bill

sloparts said 127 days ago
Very good work with the Pipes
At first I wasn't sure were you were going with this, but as it progressed into the piece I began to understand the power of it all.

Very good simulations of the pipe organ and adding the drums in the final part was effective. On the JBL's I'm using to monitor the whole piece sounded stunning.

Excellent work Tobin thanks for sharing.

Votes: 9 9 8 9

Ed

SpasmodicMan said 127 days ago
pentatonic visions
I dig the pentatonic feel, the crazy chord clusters. and that middle swection, like the euphoria sandwiched between the insanity of visions and prophecy. man, you always blow me away. glad I checked back in after so long gone...

TobinMueller said 127 days ago
French
I was actually trying to give it a French feel. You know the score for the 1973-4 film, The Three Musketeers (music by Michel Legrand)? That was my main inspiration. Thanks for checking in.

jiguma said 127 days ago
Tobin
I'm a big pipe organ fan - this is not only a really good composition in the genre, but the production is superb. No nits that I can hear. Pro work (as usual).
Thanks,
Neil

michael2 said 127 days ago
yes
i mean Rick Wakeman, I mean Tobin. This is stupendous, really. I like the drums. I used to live in an abandoned museum and there was a giant organ there, my roommate was always playing it, and I wish he sounded like this. Very impressive.

TobinMueller said 127 days ago
Rick Wakeman
Cool. Thanks. Yes, he was on my mind, along with Persichetti and Poulenc.

Moviz said 127 days ago
It transposes
very well from the piano piece and has magical sounding passages as well as the grand sounding parts, definitely fit for a King and his Court, cheers M

HenriROGERsoloandbands said 126 days ago
Power

I love your chords .
Big organ sounds giving lot of emotional power to the music .
Bravo!

rsorensen said 125 days ago
yeah
this is well done. i like the intensity of the playing in the beginning and end. the short but purposeful bursts. it compliments and contrasts the middle more freestyle section perfectly. the subtle percussion sits very well too. great piece and very cinematic.

dajama said 125 days ago
Very well done
Great organ sound, and lovely production. The intro was almost startling, and really pulls you into the piece. The change to the gentler passage is very effective, and what a lovely passage it is, lovely sound and really nice sound. The percussion in the last section works well, adding a new dynamic to the track. Very appropriate for the setting, and very nicely done. Peace.

paul f. page said 125 days ago
The middle...
...is magic, Tobin. Such sweet sounds that echo just "so" in the room you have chosen. (I don't "get" 18th c. sounds out of this composition, but I am really drawn into the composition as you have imagined it. The organ sounds and harmonies, while more modern, are very characteristic of this instrument and have a powerful effect.)... I enjoyed this number immensely.
Peace.
Paul

guygrooves said 125 days ago
Now from the... Hack gallery
I really enjoyed this Tobin, although honestly my first instinct was to move on, because this isn't necessarily my cup of tea. Every time I come for a visit I am inspired and always walk away knowing something I didn't before. I really appreciate you as an artist and producer, and want to thank you for teaching me so much. Every comment I see of yours with constructive advice in it (never sounds like criticism to me) I find myself pouring over it to glean the knowledge and expertise you seemingly give to us from a very generous and patient spirit. Ok enough with the sunshine ;o)
This is beautifully composed and played.

BossHook said 125 days ago
Such a
musically diverse structure of extended chord figures that really takes on new musical meanings with each repeated listens.

Karmatoburn said 123 days ago
11 different patch's
besides being a wonderful composition, I was struck by the authenticity and range of dynamics/harmonics I heard from the pipes. The mix also seems to capture the realm of having been recorded in a stone church. I closed my eyes for certain passages and felt I was being carried a way to old europe.

My neighbor actually has a massive (takes up a two story room) pipe organ and sometimes (he's well soundproofed) I can hear him playing in the dead of night. I love that sound.

TobinMueller said 123 days ago
In the dead of night
How cool is that. Like living next door to the Phantom. Thanks for the supportive comments. I'm really glad your ear caught the visuals I was striving for.

Lightman- said 119 days ago
Great
Relaxing music.... Nice to hear it.... You're really good to arrange music.... Big thumbs up, for that.... Great work.....

VicDiesel said 118 days ago
Love those Maj7 chords
I can't remember coming across them when I played Widor.

This is great stuff. You clearly know your way back and forth through Mel Bay's 1001 Keyboard Chords :-)

Which organ did you use? I initially listened to this on headphones and I kinda missed the power in the pedals. On speakers it's better, but I think I'm still missing the 16' sound a bit. A nice 32' in the ending would of course be heavenly.

Enrique Gil said 116 days ago
Nice stuff
and unusual too. I love organ music. the quiet section in the middle is quite enjoyable. Thank you

Artist Profile
TobinMueller photo
TobinMueller

Artist Bio I am a professional musician, composer, playwright and director. I lead a charmed life. I'm married to fellow MJer Suzanne and MJer Twonicus is my son. See my Spotlight Interview - Tobin Mueller: Talking With Myself in the Macjams Music Blog. You can ...[more]
Artist Music
Finding No Path
Last Song On Vaudeville (early mix) w/ bbarner
Vortigern's Fortress (EKNM)
Dare To Sing (AUDIOCRACY w/ Tadashi Togawa)
In The Great Dream (Robin Hood)
One Less Child (Robin Hood)
Lay Your Burdens Down (Robin Hood)
Hail To The Sheriff (Robin Hood)
Out Of The Forest (Robin Hood)
Too Many Years (Robin Hood)
Happy Birthday World
Seven Buttons On A Nehru Jacket (w/ Mcboy)
Sitcom Psychedelica (Woodstock after-party)
Puzzle City (AUDIOCRACY)
Emerald Path
Chromatisome Swing (tribute to Oscar Peterson)
Eruption of Previous Life
Caught In The Current (v2) - feat. BBarner & Komrade K
You Can't Touch Me (LSP)
I Wanna Fly (v2)
Lightning Strikes (v2 w/ more organ)
Lightning Strikes (v1)
Bring On The Storm
Hold On (w/ Komrade K)
Door In My Heart (v2)
Be My Love
Walls (Analogapalooza - from Robin Hood)
Sweet Liberty (Analogapalooza - Statue of Liberty dedication)
Pose For You (Analogapalooza - w/ Jessica Flood)
You Make My Heart Skip A Beat
We Are The Ones
Can't Complain (w/ Komrade K)
Speak Truth To Power (w/ twon, Darren Chapmen, Audiocracy)
When The Future Comes (w/ Twon, Alimar, Audiocracy)
To McBoy: 2 Peas in a Chili Pod
A Monk Caught in the Thelonious Sphere
Before There Were Gods
Chaos of the Subconscious
The Gumshoe Wears A Rag
Crazy Story (vers. 2 w/ Thoddi)
What I Was Thinking While You Were Talking (w/ Ziti, Mungo)
I Have Dreamed In Another
I Am Yours (Last Embrace Behind The Wall) w/ Mystified
Caught In The Current (w/ BBarner and Komrade K)
My Heart Still Beats (w/ Thoddi, etc.)
Icarus II (w/ Texasfeel)
House of Cards (...When I Sing)
Dreams III (featuring Woody Mankowski)
Lady of the Lake (w/ Mystified)
Tobin's Sampler
Revolution's Son (v2, w/ dchapman, twon, Alimar, Audiocracy)
When You Left
Revolution's Son (w/ twonicus)
Under A Western Sky
I Sail On (arr: Troy)
A Promise (w/ Woody Mankowski)
Let Me Play (w/ McBoy and BBarner)
I Sail On
Turn The Key
The Waitress (version 2)
What Thou Lovest Well (w/ Packo)
The Waitress
Morning Whispers
River Runs Through Me
Escaping The Fray Zone
Just Above The Ground
Final Words
Pilgrim of the Return
Secret of Life (w/ bbarner)
At Her Window
If I Could Live Long Enough (w/ IVANJS)
Windowshade
Save the Planet
Can't Complain
Dreams II (w/ Emily Rohm)
I Wanna Fly (v1)
Crazy Story
Turn It Around
Merlyn's Sight
Last Call
New Holy Land
I Will Love
Cliff's Edge
Borate Zone: Please Eat
Was There Once A Time
Icarus
Grave Robbing
Door In My Heart
We Are One Body
Lucky Boy
Tango (The Dance)
God Bless Sarah
My Heart Still Beats
Dreams
Forge A New Life - Part 2
Forge A New Life - Part I