Alex Otterlei

Alex Otterlei (born 17 September 1968) 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.

Alex Otterlei
Portrait of Alex Otterlei in 2005
Portrait of Alex Otterlei in 2005
Background information
Born (1968-09-17) 17 September 1968
OriginAntwerp, Belgium
Genresorchestral, video games, theatre and short film
Occupation(s)Composer
Years active1990-present
Websitewww.alexotterlei.com

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 2018 Alex Otterlei scored music and/or created sound effects for various videogames including the award-winning series Monkey Tales Archived 2012-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. 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
  • "Dona, Dona" for orchestra and beginning guitarist, based on a theme by Sholom Secunda (2018)
  • "Divinity, Song for Eternity", based on a theme by Kirill Pokrovsky (2015)
  • "Prologue to Horror on the Orient Express" (2013)
  • "Wondrous Journey Part I" (2011)
  • "New Beginnings" (2010)
  • "Ocean Ouverture" (2006)
  • "City Life & The Race" (2002)
  • "Horror on the Orient Express" (integral 2000)

Concert Band
  • "New Beginnings" (2012)
  • "Horror on the Orient Express" (Suite version 2012)

Various Ensembles
  • "Onwards We Go" for cello and contrabass, base on a theme by Kirill Pokrovsky (2015)
  • "Supercell" for piano, percussion and dance ensemble, in collaboration with Opening Doors and the European Disability Arts Festival (2014)
  • "Prologue to Horror on the Orient Express" for strings and piano (2013)
  • "Prelude for Harp and Mermaid" for harp and soprano (2006)
  • "Violince and Passion" for string quintet (1994)
  • "The Final Exile" for strings, samples and death metal band "Vaïs" (1993)
  • "Old Isaac's Party" for strings and piano (1991)
  • "The Yearning" for strings and woodwinds (1991)

Music Theatre
  • "Eeuwige Sneeuw", music for the theatrical play by Stefan Perceval (2010)

Songs and Lyrics (non-album)
  • "The Old Man", music and lyrics (1993)
  • "My Faerie Lady", music and lyrics (1993)
  • "Come to Daddy" (1990)
  • "Lady Life Loves You Too" (1990)
  • "The Rose and the Butterfly" (1990)
  • "Like an Autumn Leaf in Summer" (1990)
  • "Tell Me How I Was Before I Met You" (1990)
  • "Running at the Speed of Light (1989)
  • "Caught in a Spiral" (1989)
  • "Bodies in Danger" (1989)
  • "Visions of People" (1988)

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

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
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