Ard RÍ Soundtrack

When I was commissioned to compose & produce the music for the RTÉ Junior show Ard RÍ, and received the scripts, I was excited with the theme and style I was asked to write for. 

Ard RÍ is the story of four kids from Dublin who happen upon the stone circle, which brings them back to the time of the Vikings, and the adventures they have along the way.

Out of all the pieces the most interesting to write was the "Battle Theme". I wasn't asked to write for one specific scene, rather a number of different battles. I decided on a thematic approach with a few key motifs. The piece itself is written from the early morning until the end of the battle. There is a general unease and sadness throughout the piece with tubular bells and dissonance in the chords marking and increasing the tension before battle. I have also signified the march into battle with snare drum rolls and a build on a previous motif. The main battle begins with a stand off where the bells ring and the battle drums are hit, and then it all kicks off as they say! The final part signifies the sadness after battle and the end to the day.

You can take a listen to the Battle Theme below.