[QUOTE="FrozenLiquid"]
Whoever said that orchestra could not go with futuristic science fiction? In this case, I guess it'd be me. Strings and brass are associated with the past and I've never seen a non-energy sword in the Halo universe, have you? If I see an iron sword lying around, I'm thinking of either a museum or medieval times. It's the time association that's the problem with orchestra and the future. And who dictated techno as the standard music of the future? That's an interesting question. Music might not evolve into what we expect it to be in the future just like we expected flying cars by now and totally did not get them. However, orchestra is definitely not what Iexpect, hence the immersion kill. I cannot stress the 'I expect' part enough. Orchestra will probably still be around, but as the standard musid of the future? I highly doubt that.
Technoweirdo
My question was actually rhetorical.
The fact of the matter is, there is no right or wrong answer. There is such thing as 'music for the times'. That's just a product of your social upbringing. The reason dystopian futures and illegal sex are all the rage in sci-fi? Because we live in a very capitalist, very free market world. Music, like high concept ideas, is the same. Because we think of string instruments as analogue sound, and because digitalization is encroaching into our private spheres, it would seem likely, perhaps to a few pioneers of science fiction media, that techno music would be fitting in such a setting. However, again, it's only the idea of social conditioning and it does not make anything else less valid.
In fact, a juxtaposition of ideas can, for want of a better term, be very valid. What does Martin O'Donnell want to express taking on contemporary cIassical music in a military science fiction setting? He didn't do just because it sounded good; please, don't insult a musician's intelligence. There's a reason behind it, and while it may not be aesthetically pleasing to some, there's meaning behind it.
You say you thought 'museum' (wtf?!) and 'medieval times'. Not only does it not sound anything like most medieval music in form or structure, it's actually very modern. The most 'medieval' Halo ever got was that the choir sounded rather Gregorian, but as we all know, Halo has very religious connotations in its universe. Ah, so we can assume there's a reason for the chants ;). But what ideas do we have about 'medieval'? A dark, harsh period of struggle that has since been greatly romanticized? Crusades? Ha! We're getting there! Valor and knighthood! Honestly though, it doesn't sound anything medival so I'll stop there.
Mass Effect uses techno because it's premise (not the actual plot) is very much the discovery of technology: humans making contact with aliens for the very first time, how technology causes tension between races, which all inadvertently reflect the plot in the game.
Sorry if my reply sounds overkill but I think my love for music is unrivalled here. If it weren't for film, musicology (and dance) would consume my life :D
Log in to comment