Alex Otterlei
| Alex Otterlei | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Alex Otterlei in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 17 September 1968 |
| Origin | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Genres | orchestral, video games, theatre and short film |
| Occupation(s) |
Composer |
| Years active | 1990-present |
| Website | www.alexotterlei.com |
Alex Otterlei (born 17 September 1968 in Antwerp) is a multiple award-winning composer who writes evocative and often very filmic music for orchestra, concert band and other ensembles. Alongside, Otterlei has created music and sound effects for theatre, short films, video games, roleplaying games and art installations. His music appears on various albums.
Biography
In the nineties Alex Otterlei pioneered the art of writing soundtracks for roleplaying games, resulting in popular rpg-soundtracks such as “Battlethemes”, “Arthur” and “Where Evil Lurks”. His Cthulhu-inspired orchestral soundtrack “Horror on the Orient Express” achieved international acclaim. Between 2003 and 2010 Alex Otterlei scored music and/or created sound effects for various videogames including the award-winning series Monkey Tales. Starting from 2009 Otterlei also began to write concert music for orchestra, concert band and other ensembles. Although considered mainly autodidact, Otterlei was later on mentored by Hans Lamal and prominent composer Luc van Hove.
Style
Best described as neo-tonal, Otterlei does not shun recognizable melodies. He employs modern as well as traditional harmonies, integrating consonance and dissonance in a fluid and logical way. His rhythmic structures can be complex, but they also remain dependent of traditional metrical thinking.
Works
Symphonic
- Wondrous Journey Part I (2011)
- New Beginnings (2010)
- Horror on the Orient Express (revised for Suite 2009)
- Ocean Ouverture (2006)
- City Life & The Race (2002)
- Horror on the Orient Express (integral 2000)
Concert Band
- Wondrous Journey Part I (2012)
- New Beginnings (2012)
- Horror on the Orient Express (Suite version 2012)
String Quintet
- Violince and Passion (1994)
Harp and Soprano
- Prelude for Harp and Mermaid (2006)
Music Theatre
- "Eeuwige Sneeuw", music for the theatrical play by Stefan Perceval (2010)
Discography
- 2012: "Wondrous Journey, Part 1"_Single download
- 2011: "Eeuwige Sneeuw, Soundtrack" _CD
- 2010: "New Beginnings"_Single download
- 2006: "Where Evil Lurks, Special Edition"_CD re-release, with an exclusive story written by Rhianna Pratchett.)
- 2005: "Xyanide, Official Soundtrack"_Enhanced CD
- 2000: "Horror on the Orient Express"_CD
- 1994: "Where Evil Lurks"_CD
- 1993: "Horror Triptych"_mini CD
- 1992: "Battlethemes"_CD
- 1990: "Arthur"_CD
Game scores
- 2010: “Flames of Vengeance” for PC and Xbox 360, additional music & sound design
- 2010: "Monkey Tales" for PC: music, ambient & SFX (received Medea Award 2011)
- 2007: “Fairytale Fights”(demo): ambient & sound effects
- 2006: “Aqua Vita” for Sony PS3: sound effects
- 2006: "Mesmerize_Distort" for Sony PS3: ambient and sound effects
- 2006: "Xyanide Resurrection" for Sony PSP & PS2: ambient & sound effects + music for Animated Comic-bonus
- 2003: "Xyanide" for Xbox: music score
Awards
- 2011: Best Soundtrack Award for the shortfilm “Darkness” by Kevin Lauryssen at the Ciné Public Festival
- 2006: Gouden Klaproos Award for international achievements bestowed by SABAM
- 2002: Best Young Filmcomposer Award at the World Soundtrack Awards
References
External links
- An interview with Alex Otterlei by Aaron Drewniak at The Next Level
- Alex Otterlei at Filmmuziek.be
- Alex Otterlei's website
- HotOE reviewed by Nick Smithson at Sci-fi Online
- New Beginnings reviewed by Darren Rea at Review Graveyard