Seven Deadly Sins

BACKGROUND: Soundtracks for dance productions tend to bifurcate into classically inspired musical traditions and more contemporary sound art experimentation. Whilst some productions have featured a range of genres, often selected from disparate sources, this work provided the opportunity to fuse both approaches - often within the same composition. My involvement was a decision to reposition the EDC brand with an edgier sonic aesthetic, whilst still appealing to their core audience, more used to melody and lush musical instrumentation. CONTRTIBUTION: This work provided the opportunity to test the mutual exclusivity of experimental electronica and classical forms. Challenging this dichotomy, the soundtrack combined a brutally rhythmic approach to momentum and drive, a cutting edge exporation of abstract soundscape, all tempered by classical violin and piano engagement with conservative musical tropes. The distinct sin characters provided emotional covering fire for this approach, as musical fusions and contrasts were inevitably found to bind to the character they were describing. SIGNIFICANCE: Funded by QPAC, Queensland Government, Australian Government & the Australia Council. Standing ovtations at the performances. Enthusiastic reviews in print (including "...Darren Verhagen's soundscape which verges on the brilliant" - Stage Whispers 11/25/2015) A one hour film of the performance (too large to email) is available on request.**背景**：舞蹈作品的原声音乐往往分化为两类：一类是汲取古典主义音乐传统的创作路径，另一类则是偏向当代声音艺术实验的探索方向。尽管部分舞蹈作品会采用来自不同来源的多元曲风，但本次创作提供了将两种路径融合的契机——且常将二者整合于同一部作品之中。本人参与本次创作的初衷，是为EDC品牌重塑更具先锋性的声音美学风格，同时仍能贴合其核心受众的审美偏好——该受众群体更习惯于旋律优美、器乐编排饱满的音乐作品。 **创作贡献**：本次创作提供了验证实验电子音乐（experimental electronica）与古典音乐形式是否真的互斥的契机。针对二者的二元对立认知，本原声音乐采用了极具冲击力的节奏手法以营造行进感与驱动力，并开展了前沿性的抽象声景（soundscape）探索，同时以古典小提琴与钢琴演奏结合传统音乐范式的编配手法对上述风格进行调和。独特的舞台角色为该创作思路提供了情感层面的依托，因为音乐的融合与反差最终均能与所塑造的角色紧密结合。 **价值与影响**：本作品由QPAC、昆士兰州政府、澳大利亚联邦政府及澳大利亚艺术理事会（Australia Council）资助。演出期间收获了全场起立鼓掌的热烈反响，并获得了平面媒体的好评——其中《舞台悄悄话（Stage Whispers）》（2015年11月25日）的评论写道："...Darren Verhagen's soundscape which verges on the brilliant"。本次演出的一小时录像文件（因体积过大无法通过邮件发送）可按需提供。