Pode by Austin Wintory

PODE is a beautiful, adorable game from a terrific Norwegian studio (Henchman & Goon) led by the wonderful Yngvill Hopen. Quite some time ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Yngvill and very casually agreed to help out with her game. When the time came years after to take a look in more detail, I was genuinely dumbfounded. It had surpassed all of my expectations in its charm, aesthetic and its wonderfully approachable mechanics.

As such, scoring this game was a true privilege and delight. Working with someone you hold in such esteem is good enough, but when the game is clearly something special it just magnifies everything. Add to that the superb musicians I got to play with and it's just heavenly.

If the bombast of THE BANNER SAGA or devilishness of ASSASSIN'S CREED SYNDICATE is up your alley .... you should check your expectations at the door! This is a very introspective and meditative score.

Inspired by the Norwegian folk art of the game, I decided to lean into that with the use of dual Hardanger fiddles (played by Rachel Nesvig and Paul Cartwright). Because the game deals with this interdisciplinary collaboration, it seemed fitting to explore that in the score. I would write sections in skeletal forms, and then workshop improvised duets between Rachel and Paul, and see where things go. As the two characters become "one," the fiddles give way to Tina Guo's cello, and she too was asked to improvise certain sections.

The entire thing pushed me into new territory, as improvisation is basically NEVER a component of my work. It was thrilling and enlightening, and left me in awe of the talent of the performers. I hope you enjoy the results!

Tracklist

1.	Falling upward	1:39

2.	A wayward star	1:56

3.	Those first steps	2:42

4.	Timidly, into a garden	5:37

5.	Echoes of a river	4:51

6.	Roots to the Stars	1:46

7.	Dancing reflections	5:34

8.	Crystals in the darkness	6:28

9.	Heat, felt	4:25

10.	The history below	6:55

11.	The history above	7:14

12.	Fracture	6:10

13.	Of stone and sky	1:58

Videos

Credits

released June 21, 2018

Music composed and produced by Austin Wintory

Featuring:
Rachel Nesvig – Hardanger fiddle
Paul Cartwright – Hardanger fiddle
Tina Guo – Cello
Kristin Naigus – Recorders
Tom Strahle – Guitars
Christine Hals - Vocals

Orchestral recordings by the Macedonia Radio Symphonic Orchestra

Orchestrations – Susie Seiter and Austin Wintory
MIDI transcription – M.R. Miller
Copyist – Steven Juliani Music
Music editor – Kevin Globerman

Conductor: Oleg Kondratenko
Recording engineer: Giorgi Hristovski
Contracted by FAMES / Laurent Koppitz

Score mixed and mastered by Austin Wintory
Additional arrangements by M.R. Miller
Album cover by Yngvill Hopen

Special Thanks: Yngvill Hopen for inviting me into this wonderful playground, the two brave solo fiddle players Rachel and Paul, plus Tina, Kristin and Tom for their great performances as always, M.R. Miller for being truly indispensable, the brilliant Sarah Kovacs and Kraft-Engel team, my family and my inspiring muse Angela Bermúdez.

License