Film, television and videogame composer Garry Schyman has created the original score for the first-person shooter game BioShock, developed by Irrational Games and published by 2K Games. BioShock was developed for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system.
Schyman’s music was composed in various styles of early 20th century writing, and is described as “chillingly ominous and at other times deeply beautiful and poignant.”
“Garry Schyman’s work for us was incredible from the start in every possible aspect,” says Emily Ridgway, audio director at Irrational Games. “From his ability to produce and compose amazingly unique orchestral recordings, all the meanwhile perfectly accommodating the peaks and troughs of game development, Garry really deserves all the praise he gets for the BioShock soundtrack, and then some.”
“It’s kind of hard to imagine BioShock without Garry’s music,” adds Ken Levine, creative director at Irrational Games. “It just wouldn’t be the same game.”
To immerse players in this captivating and haunting world, Schyman crafted a complex combination of aleatoric elements, early 20th century writing, musique concrete, traditional tonal and late romantic styles. The score, recorded with a live orchestra at historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood, features solo violin, cello and piano performances.
“BioShock is a composer’s dream project; I have never been offered such a unique palette to write for,” says Schyman. “I really pushed myself to create a score that truly complements the extraordinary experience of BioShock, and Irrational Games supported me all the way. I even had the opportunity to write a solo piano work in the style of late Rachmaninoff!”
The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency represents Schyman. For more information on the composer, visit www.garryschyman.com. For more information on BioShock, visit www.bioshockgame.com, www.irrationalgames.com and www.2kgames.com.
