8-Bit Concerto

Level Up! is a succession of variations based on an original theme, for keyboard soloist (playing 8-bit sounds) and string orchestra. Each variation evokes a typical video game situation (opening theme, time up jingle, boss fight, game over jingle, etc.). The piece is composed in homage to the video games of the composers’ childhood. There is no musical quote from any video game in the piece. It is the sound track of an imaginary video game.

Instrumentation: Electronic keyboard (or piano) and string orchestra (or string quintet). The 8-bit sounds of the keyboard are from the plugin Chipsounds.

Duration: 5 minutes

Commissioned by the Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS)

Premiere: November 13th, 2012, by the Ensemble Arkea and the conductor Dina Gilbert, at the Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS), in Montréal.

2022, Nov. 5 | UBC Symphony Orchestra, Lucas Waldin | Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2022, Nov. 4 | UBC Symphony Orchestra, Lucas Waldin | Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2015, Nov. 7 | Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Lucas Waldin | Enmax Hall, Winspear Centre, Edmonton

2012, Nov. 13| Ensemble Arkea, Dina Gilbert | Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS) (premiere)

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