When you first hear the low, humming choir of cellos in Oblivion’s main theme song, you get an immediate sense of just how grand and epic the game is… all after spending just a few seconds at the main title screen. Welcome to The Elder Scrolls, indeed.
The catalog of works of Mr. Jeremy Soule, dubbed the “John Williams of video game music”, is certainly impressive. So much so that you’re likely to have heard some of his compositions, regardless of which platform you decide to game on. Such titles as Company of Heroes, Guild Wars, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, just to name but a few, would make up an incredible work listing as standalone works. Throw in a handful of Harry Potters, the Playstation 2 classic SOCOM and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and you have a composer who could have walked away from their craft and still be considered a legend. But much like the franchise that catapulted him to stardom, resting on ones laurels was not in the stars.
Beginning with The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind, this gaming generation has had the great pleasure of diving into game worlds we've not ever seen, console or PC or otherwise. Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Game Studios do painstaking work, sometimes lasting years. Through their efforts, we've been treated to role playing games that are, quite literally, what their dreams are made of. It’s quite fitting, then, that the accompanying music to the on screen action be crafted with meticulous strokes of the conductors’ pen and baton, much the same as a master painters brush. Light airy string ensembles, stirring horns, and delicate piano tickles are but a few of Jeremy Soule’s trademark sounds. If you've ever walked through the Pine Forest hunting game, battled the powerful Umbra, or casually strolled through the Imperial City market district, this audible magic is not lost on you. One thing is for certain, and that is there is no denying the series’ soundtrack has been just as integral to the experience of the game as the games technical components… and that’s saying a lot.
Owning the many masterpieces of Mr. Soule is now easier than ever before. Apple recently added his most popular works to the iTunes library, a most welcome arrival. With it, the masses are now able to indulge their ears and mind in some of the most magnificent music, game related or otherwise. Previous experience within The Elder Scrolls universe is not required.
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