Volterra.

A mutli-continental world rich with history, varied peoples, cultures, languages, wars, adventures, and stories. From the Darkened Peaks to Mardornat on the continent of Forod'amar or the fabled lands of Arkhosia Majorus , there are unlimited lands to discover and endless tales to write. Whether you enjoy the High Elves of Ornamar or the Tieflings of Turathar, there is something waiting in every corner of these mysterious lands.

The project "Tales of Volterra" is a collection of original music composed to accompany a Dungeons and Dragons campaign using Volterra as the setting. Each region and city has its own set of unique qualities, so I wanted to capture those feelings with a soundtrack of their own.

Thanks for listening!

Tales of Volterra

Symphony No. 1
"The War of the Worlds"

Taylor A. Goodson, composer

Based on the novel by H. G. Wells

World premiere recording
June 25, 2017
FEA Symphony
Nate White, director

Notes by the composer:

Symphony No. 1 “The War of the Worlds” is a symphonic depiction of Herbert George Wells’ 1898 novel of the same name. Written between November 2015 and June 2017, this five-movement Symphony is a depiction of that story through the use of contemporary cinematic musical practices. Each of the five movements is titled after a chapter of the book and is divided into three smaller sections. The plot of the novel is followed chronologically throughout the Symphony from the opening setting of Woking all the way through the Epilogue.

The Symphony revolves around a central collection of five thematic ideas that depict the various important elements and characters of the novel - humankind and their setting juxtaposed by the Martians, their planet Mars, and their ‘cylinders.’ The first two movements of the Symphony, “The Eve of the War” and “The Cylinder Opens,” serve to introduce these various elements while the subsequent three movements, “In the Storm,” “Earth Under the Martians,” and “Epilogue” offer the audience the chance to experience how the thematic material is re-purposed to enact particular scenes from the novel.

The premiere performance by Nate White and the FEA Symphony took place on June 25, 2017 in Maplewood, NJ. The accompanying slideshow features quotes from the novel to help guide the audience through the story in a more immersive experience.

Many, many thanks to Nate and all the fantastic members of the orchestra for helping bring this large work to life; and thank you to everyone who listens, enjoys, and continues to support the arts!

Symphony No. 1 "The War of the Worlds" [Live]

Sweeping, Melodic

Here is a new commission for the creator of the character Laarah Emberfrost in celebration of her upcoming marriage to Nestarion Sunsworn.  The work focuses around 2 melodies, one for Laarah and one for Nestarion, and leads us through an uplifting journey of matrimony and love.

The phenomenal woodwind artist Matthew Schmidt joins me on this track for the flute and oboe parts, adding a beautiful touch to the work.  It was a pleasure working with him on this, and I sincerely hope there is more of that to come in the near future.

The artwork is by Carmen Torres of both DeviantArt (http://artofcarmen.deviantart.com/gallery/) and on tumblr (http://artofcarmen.tumblr.com/).  The image is of the couple - Nestarion Sunsworn and Laarah Emberfrost used at the request of Nestarion's creator.

A New Dawn

Good Journey

Used as a greeting aboard the Halcyon Starcruiser, I could not think of a more befitting title for the Princess & Scoundrel show. Hosted by Sara and Steven, two fantastic members of the Star Wars community, their podcast is a great addition to your listening queue. Check them out at the links right here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/princessandscoundrel
instagram.com/princessandscoundrelshow
patreon.com/PrincessandScoundrel

"Good Journey" is a quick dash through the stars with aggressive horns, soaring strings, and driving percussion - a high-speed ride on the borders of the galaxy.

Discover more on the web and on social media:

tg-sounds.com | tayloragoodson.com
soundcloud.com/taylor-arthur-goodson/
facebook.com/tayloragoodson/
twitter.com/taylor_goodson/
instagram.com/taylor.a.goodson/

Thanks for listening!

Good Journey: Theme for the Princess & Scoundrel Show

When words fail, music speaks.

Reflecting on Lady H. and all of the amazing people I've met with my tribute to the Halcyon, "The Lady's Legacy." The Galactic Starcruiser was not a Star Wars experience - it was Star Wars. The people, the places, the sights, the sounds, the feelings - all of it was imagination come to life, an unforgettable experience that I hope someday returns for all to enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who made dreams become reality. Together as one.

Check out The Lady's Legacy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c7W2yjgWV8&t=2s

The Lady's Legacy

Caring, Adventurous

Rositsa Li-Mei is many things - a caring and loving person as well as a well-trained a deadly warrior. Her passions for her craft are ever-present and her adherence to duty is never neglected as everyone who has come in contact with knows that she is both trustworthy and intense. She is a huntress who knows no bounds, who is not afraid to do what she needs to do no matter the cost. This is the Song of the Huntress.

Joining me on this project is my good friend Kim Chiesa on the violin. It was fun to add that element of realism in with the rest of the work, so I do hope you enjoy that!

Original artwork is by Pariker of DeviantArt - you may find more of her marvelous work by heading over to pariker.deviantart.com/

Song of the Huntress

Macabre, Gothic

Vazilashj Das'truvas is known by many titles. The Bloodbane, Maker of Chains, Soulflayer, Herald of Sorrows - a multitude of names to refer to a complicated individual. While Vazilashj exudes confidence and charm to those who meet her, she is wracked with pain, loneliness, and vengeance.

"The Herald of Sorrows" investigates the personality of Vazilashj. The work is bookended with a violin-led dark waltz, indicative of her external confidence, while a more somber interior section speaks to her internal emotional struggles. The melody in the work is never exactly the same twice, an indication of her struggle to maintain her outward appearance while keeping her inner demons at bay.

Art of Vazilashj by Marie Gélébart (https://x.com/MarieGlbt_Art)

The Herald of Sorrows

for Kristine and Martin, true Heroes of the Halcyon

In October 2024, the first Halcy-Con was held, a two-Day Galactic Starcruiser Superfans Event in Kissimmee, Florida. To celebrate the occasion, I had the great privilege of writing a theme for the convention titled "Flight of the Halcyon."

"Forever As One" utilizes that main theme but serves as a moment of reflection, a musical epilogue to the great successes of Halcy-Con. My massive thanks go out to both Martin and Kristine for putting on such an incredible event and for being such shining beacons in the Star Wars community. Never stop starcruising!

Forever As One [Halcy-Con Epilogue]

Action, Adventure

In October 2024, the first Halcy-Con was held, a two-Day Galactic Starcruiser Superfans Event in Kissimmee, Florida. To celebrate the occasion, I had the great privilege of writing this theme for the convention titled "Flight of the Halcyon."

My massive thanks go out to both Martin and Kristine for putting on such an incredible event and for being such shining beacons in the Star Wars community. Never stop starcruising!

Flight of the Halcyon [Halcy-Con Theme]

Holiday, Cheerful

On December 7-8, 2024, the 501st Legion presents the Holiday of Hope Telethon to raise funds for Starlight Children's Hospital. This track was created for the occasion and can be heard throughout the broadcast.

Donation links are active for the Starlight fundraiser, so please head on over to starlight.org/holidayofhope to help this amazing cause!

A Holiday of Hope

Holiday, Reflective

On December 7-8, 2024, the 501st Legion presents the Holiday of Hope Telethon to raise funds for Starlight Children's Hospital. This track was created as a companion track to the main "Holiday for Hope" cue for the occasion and can be heard throughout the broadcast.

Donation links are active for the Starlight fundraiser, so please head on over to starlight.org/holidayofhope to help this amazing cause!

A Holiday of Reflection

Regal, Magical

After years of turmoil, the time to focus inward and rebuild their great homeland is now. Shimmering spires, bustling streets, a city wrapped in magic, and a golden forest of endless autumn are the hallmarks of one of the greatest Kingdoms, Quel'Thalas, the domain of the Runesworn. A collective of the best and brightest in their fields, the membership of the Runesworn contains keen scholars of magic, patrons of great holy power, stalwart martial defenders, and those who whisper to the very land itself.

"Runesworn" is a work written to celebrate the creation of the guild of the same name, <Runesworn> on the Wyrmrest Accord-US server in World of Warcraft. This overture begins with a triumphant fanfare with the brass before marching forward into the main idea in triple meter. The contrasting middle section uses harp and alto flute to represent the magical abilities of the collective before ascending once more to a powerful ending.

Have a guild or character that you would like music for? For commission information, please visit tg-sounds.com/digital-commissions

Runesworn

Dark, Aggressive

Deep within the halls of the damned, the Speakers of Black Blood toil away with the minds of fresh undead, using them as mind slaves to carry out whatever sinister work they need. Plagues, mind control, powerful weapons, and dark magics all surround this selected group, hell-bent on crushing their foes with a sinister power unmatched by many.

Three individuals make up the Speakers - the frail but massively intelligent High Father Cadrick; the "Saronite Fist", Executioner Charles Sarif; and Light Slayer Barns, aka "Starscream," a coward and a cheat with plenty of information kept close at hand.

A special thanks to the creator of the character of Bibianna and the Speakers of Black Blood for commissioning this work. It was a lot of fun to get in the minds of these powerful individuals and even more exciting to give them some (un)life via the music!

Stock image from: http://h-stock.deviantart.com/art/premade-background-dark-forrest-2-341009599

Black Blood

Dark, Conclusive

Here is another commission for the creator of the marvelous character Bibianna De Luca, this time for solo piano. As requested by the commissioner, the work is "something suitable for a credit roll after everything has happened" and is "a tragic take on...'Beneath the Mask'...with maybe a bit of the elements from 'Black Blood.' A lot of conflict and a lot of story has happened with the characters in the Forward Line being caught in the middle. The long and short of it, Bibianna is in a state of lost confidence and has had her perception of who she really is shattered."

Artwork of Bibianna is credited to Dayon@Wrymrest Accord.

De Luca's Burdens

Symphony No. 1
"The War of the Worlds"

IV. Earth Under the Martians
- Stillness
- The Discovery
- Deliverance

V. Epilogue
- Return to Woking
- The Reunion
- A Precarious Future

Taylor A. Goodson, composer

Based on the novel by H. G. Wells

World premiere recording
June 25, 2017
FEA Symphony
Nate White, director

Symphony No. 1  "The War of the Worlds" - IV. Earth Under the Martians - V. Epilogue  [Live]

Symphony No. 1
"The War of the Worlds"

II. The Cylinder Opens
- The Gathering at Horsell Common
- The Creature Emerges
- The Conflict Begins

Taylor A. Goodson, composer

Based on the novel by H. G. Wells

World premiere recording
June 25, 2017
FEA Symphony
Nate White, director

Symphony No. 1  "The War of the Worlds" - II. The Cylinder Opens [Live]

Symphony No. 1
"The War of the Worlds"

III. In the Storm
- Flight to Leatherhead
- The Things Over Maybury Hill
- Fighting Back and the Fall of London

Taylor A. Goodson, composer

Based on the novel by H. G. Wells

World premiere recording
June 25, 2017
FEA Symphony
Nate White, director

Symphony No. 1  "The War of the Worlds" - III. In the Storm [Live]

Symphony No. 1
"The War of the Worlds"

I. The Eve of the War
- Woking, 1896
- Observing the Red Planet
- The First Cylinder Falls

Taylor A. Goodson, composer

Based on the novel by H. G. Wells

World premiere recording
June 25, 2017
FEA Symphony
Nate White, director

Symphony No. 1  "The War of the Worlds" - I. The Eve of the War [Live]

Gentle, Loving

"Grifyn and Auralaith" is a commission for the lovely characters of the same name. Here is a taste of what their writer had to say about the subject:

"Their themes and tone are lightness and joy, unity and positivity. They are connected by a string of fate that will always weave them back together again, and throughout their adventures they have gone to extreme lengths to prove it.... They aren't afraid to be happy, and will be absolutely embarrassingly so in front of all their friends; he calls her his Sunflower, and she smiles like a fool whenever he arrives."

To capture their love for one another, I opted for a more intimate orchestration featuring primarily strings and piano (with assistance, of course). I hope you enjoy this couple as much as I have in preparing this work, they are truly some wonderful characters.

Art by the fabulous @syliune on Tumblr.

Grifyn and Auralaith

Adventure, Cinematic

Volterra. A mutli-continental world rich with history, varied peoples, cultures, languages, wars, adventures, and stories. From the Darkened Peaks to Mardornat on the continent of Forod'amar or the fabled lands of Arkhosia Majorus , there are unlimited lands to discover and endless tales to write. Whether you enjoy the High Elves of Ornamar or the Tieflings of Turathar, there is something waiting in every corner of these mysterious lands.

It is up to you to discover your Tales of Volterra!

Tales of Volterra [Main Titles]

Proud, Calm

In the center of Esseldemar, the land of the elves, lies the great trade capital of the region, Caranhalorne. Named after the large, red trees that adorn the forests of the region, this peaceful capital represents the unity of the people of Esseldemar and supports trade all across the continent of Forod'amar.

Caranhalorne, the Capital of Trade

Peaceful, Serene

Aldamar, the capital of the wood elves of Forod'amar, has stood for centuries amidst the lush forests of Dan'imrad, the path of autumn that pushes through southern Esseldemar. Nature is sacred among the wood elves, and their respect toward the wilds can be seen in every aspect of their society. Woodwinds and strings lead the texture here, indicative of the soft, calm society that the wood elves maintain.

The Forests of Aldamar

Driving, Shanty

The ports of the human trade hub Eldoros are always filled with a wide variety of tradesmen and merchants. Boats sailing across the great lake Aldurin are prepped and ready for moving shipments all across the waterways of Forod'amar. Songs of the boatsmen are regularly heard in the city's streets, providing an entertaining background for the working port-city.

The Ports of Eldoros

Gentle, Mysterious

Aear'fennas, the gateway to the sea, is the homeland of the eladrin. Tucked safely away from the rest of the bustling societies of Forod'amar, Aear'fennas is a realm of magic, beauty, and colour, a gateway to the Feywild itself. Those who visit this sacred city seldom see something more ethereal without departing the material plane.

The Glades of Aear'fennas

"It's all familiar but new...which makes it perfect.  Something about [your works] is always a little familiar...which I think is what draws in your listeners."  - A. Girvan, educator and conductor, 2013

Taylor Goodson has recently completed a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance at Montclair State University in Northern New Jersey. He has been active as a freelance percussionist in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, participating in performance with members of the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Opera, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at many notable venues in both New York and New Jersey. Between 2010 and 2012, Mr. Goodson held the Principal Tympani chair of the New York Youth Symphony under Maestro Ryan McAdams. He performs regularly with the National Chorale under Maestro Martin Josman and with the Westfield Symphony under the direction of David Wroe. He is also active as a member of the New York Percussion Group, a New York City-based percussion ensemble, and Festival Percussion, an educational percussion quartet in the New York/New Jersey area. He has appeared as a soloist on multiple occasions with performances of works such as William Kraft's "Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra," Eric Ewazen's "Concerto for Marimba," and Béla Bartok's "Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion."

As a composer, Taylor was selected as a winner of the 2010 Dallas Wind Symphony Fanfare Competition for his “Fanfare for a New Beginning.” In early 2013, he received two commissions for both orchestra and flute choir, "Fanfare and Rondo" for Maestro Jeffrey Grogan and the New Jersey Youth Symphony and "Three Scenes for Flutes" for the Paramus High School Flute Choir under the direction of Ms. Angela Girvan. He has written arrangements for notable soloists and conductors including Sheryl Staples, Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic; Barry Centanni, Principal Percussionist of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s; and Maestro Patrick Burns, internationally acclaimed composer and conductor/founder of the Bloomfield Youth Band. Mr. Goodson has been published by Row-Loff Productions and continues to compose for a variety of instruments and ensembles, most notably orchestra, wind band, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, choir, strings, solo instrumental works, and music for percussion.  His works in the realm of digital composition in combination with live recording have won him much critical acclaim, many of these projects having been featured on his first album "Inspirations: Volume I" (2014).

Mr. Goodson is a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM, Local 802) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Taylor Arthur Goodson

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