Grandeur, noun: The quality or condition of magnificence.

The absolute magnitude and scale of creation often goes unnoticed, as we become used to living among the behemoths of our planet – huge mountains, rushing rivers, and lush forests, to name a few. Only when one stops to appreciate nature do they truly recognize the awesomeness of the world around us.

The orchestral anthem and cinematic exploration “Grandeur” attempts to capture that appreciation and stand as a testament to those natural features we would call, well, “grand”. The soft violin motif in the beginning builds into a full-fledged orchestral arrangement reminiscent of that in an action movie scene, pausing briefly with a piano and violin duet to let the listener catch their breath before the climb back to the proverbial mountain peak.

I’ve always loved cinematic film score-type music, and that’s inspired me to make my own. “Grandeur” is the first song in that endeavor. The album this song is on, “Atmospheres”, is a mix of cinematic, symphonic, and atmospheric (get it? 😉) songs, sounds, and styles that experiment with a multitude of instruments and ideas I haven’t had the opportunity to compose with until now.

The wonderful Ramie Anderson played the lead violin part, a simple yet elegant motif that builds throughout the song. Records with live instruments always sound better than computers or samples, and I am eternally grateful for her time and talent. 🎻

Experience “Grandeur” for yourself, and then go climb a mountain.