Absolutely breathtaking @ the Game of Thrones concert
The Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience at the Wembley Stadium was absolutely breathtaking. Definitely this concert was one of the best concerts I have ever been to (if not the best actually). Key momentous scenes from each of the seven seasons were shown on the big screen whilst musicians dextrously played on their instruments bringing those scenes to life.
I love how Ramin Djawadi accentuates many instruments by creating solo excerpts - look at the solo violinist rising towards the sky as she plays 'Winter Has Come,' a piece that makes you reminisce.
Aside from the more traditional instruments like violins and cellos, unconventional instruments were used in his compositions including and not limited to the Armenian duduk flute (a Middle Eastern woodwind instrument that sounds really enigmatic that was mainly used in the Dothraki scenes), a hammered dulcimer (which is like a harp that can be hit) and Japanese Taiko drums (that sounds vigorous and powerful where players use their entire body to create the sounds). It wasn’t just the instruments - it was also the sublime singing. The soloists sang heart-wrenching passages amidst choirs who chanted beautiful Valyrian hymns. The incredible diversity of instruments and voices emanated feelings of worldliness. Here's a picture of one of the scenes:
The staging was brilliant in the concert - you really feel like you're part of the scenes. The fire bursting out synchronised with the drums really brought some heat into the stadium.
I actually became a Game of Thrones fan very recently through binge-watching all of the seasons. For those of you who haven’t watched it, in one sentence, this series is about competing houses (in the Medieval era) who are looking to take the Iron Throne governing the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. I love how creative the plot of the series is – a lot of the time, you are left surprised at what has just happened. The games to fight for the Iron Throne are most of the time dirty and wicked.
The music that Ramin Djawadi creates focuses on key themes that are attributable to particular characters, houses or events – for example, there are themes which represents Arya Stark (the ‘Needle’) and Daenerys Targaryan (‘ Mhysa,’ ‘Khaleesi,’ etc). Unlike a film for example where I broadly just recall one particular soundtrack, in the Game of Thrones, there are a whole host of distinguishable soundtracks. Below are four of my favourite pieces that I’ve listened to time and time again from the Seasons (the main theme is not on this list):
1. Winter Has Come
I love the legato passages played with so much emotion - like I've said, this piece makes you reminisce. My mind certainly wanders when I listen to this piece. Unfortunately I cannot find an interpretation of it featuring just a solo violinist (unlike in the concert). Here's my favourite interpretation of it on YouTube by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
2. Mhysa ('Mother' in Valyrian)
I feel very worldly after listening to this piece. In the beginning, I feel like I am transported to Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings... when the choirs sing in Valyrian, that's it... I know this is the Game of Thrones. This piece is very uplifting - in the scene, it was played whilst slaves of Yunkai were freed so really works brilliantly with that scene.
3. Light of the Seven
I travel alone a lot to cities in Italy and often, what I will do is sit in a cathedral pondering in amazement... I feel such a strong sense of spirituality sitting there gazing up at the wonderful structures. The beginning of this piece really brings me back to those times - it features piano being played very delicately. The piece then gradually builds up its intensity with the choirs and organs as the very confessional scene progresses.
4. Winds of Winter
So more Valyrian hymns... this piece brings out such a feeling of community. It really depicts a scene where people are reunited by a common goal, ready to fight for what is right. I love how the drums really sets a pace in this piece, as if they're mobilising people's ambition and determination.
