In 2004, I had the opportunity to attend a short course in scoring strings for motion pictures at the Australian Film, TV and Radio School, led by the Norwegian-Australian composer, record producer and musician, Sven Libaek.
Part of our assignment involved writing a two minute cue to Federico Fellini's classic 1963 Italian surrealist comedy-drama, "8½." Whilst none of us were able to hold a candle to Nino Rota's original score, it was a valuable experience to learn how to use the string section to best effect in a film score.
In the years that followed the course, when I listened to the recording separately from the film clip, my imagination pointed more towards a feeling that didn't have an English word to describe it. Fortunately - the Germans have a word for that feeling, and "Waldeinsamkeit" is the probably the most accurate I feel when I hear this being played.
"Waldeinsamkeit" works best as an intimate chamber piece for confident players, but can also work with expanded desking if desired.
"Waldeinsamkeit" has enjoyed studio recordings in Ukraine (Kaska Records - 2021), and Australia (AFTRS - 2004).
