Games

Games was commissioned by the Ottawa Guitar Trio – Nathan Bredeson, François Lacelle and Alexandre Bougie — with funds from the Ontario Arts Council. The trio specializes in “exploring the classical guitar’s unique dynamic and textural palette to bring to life a repertoire of thrilling movie soundtracks, nostalgic video game scores, timeless classical repertoire, as well as original music for the guitar trio medium.”

I set out to imitate the music that might serve as background to a video game, while allowing the members of the trio the freedom to improvise and create. Games uses the whole gamut of improvisation, sound effects and traditional composition (including a fugue) to create a magical sound world reminiscent of what might be found in a game.

Games was brilliantly premiered on October 16, 2022, at the Salle Huguette Labelle, University of Ottawa. The recordings are from that performance. If you want to sample, start with movements 2 or 4. If you want to listen to the whole piece, start at the beginning.