Voyage Across Antarctica

My submission for Impressions Composing Jam: Imagination #3

I started composing music related to the picture's theme of snow and a trek before deciding on a story, told over 4 tracks. I tried to be a bit more creative with my phrasing structure at some parts, such as improvising a few piano portions, and adding a few percussion and synths.

The story involves a father who was separated from his son during a previous expedition on Antarctica due to a strong blizzard. He must venture across the continent to hopefully reunite with him. This story is told more like a film soundtrack.

Track 1: Prelude

My attempt at making a piece in 5/4, taking rhythmic inspiration from pieces like Take Five. The rhythm is strongly emphasized in the lower strings and percussion to create the foundation. The melody becomes more clear towards the end of the piece, introducing us to a clear, but perilous mission to find your son.

Track 2: Aurora Glacier

In the middle of the voyage, you are alone on a cold, but seemingly peaceful night. The Solo Horn is introduced in the next section as motivation within the piece builds, being replied with a distant solo flute. Both the father and son are on a simultaneous journey to reunite together, with hope of their safe return.

Track 3: At All Costs

One of the more theatrical pieces of this soundtrack, I tried to capture multiple scenes at the father's climax of his journey. The piece slowly builds up energy, representing the tense blizzard he faces with pride. At its highest point, I decided to improvise a dramatic ending using piano octaves and trills on the strings, signifying the father's deadly fall. The piece ends in a slow but somber manner, and the journey now continues on the son's behalf.

Track 4: The Final Journey

The piece starts with a lonely mood, featuring a solo Flute. I included various differing sections connected by mysterious transitions. The son feels grief over finding his father during the accident, but still feels a strong obligation to complete the journey. With the blizzard subsiding, there is a section that resembles cautious optimism, as the theme of Track 3 slowly returns near the end. The solo Horn appears once again, answered with the flute. This resembles the son's commitment to completing the voyage home.