Alex Otterlei

Alex Otterlei
Portrait of Alex Otterlei in 2005
Background information
Born (1968-09-17) 17 September 1968
Origin Antwerp, Belgium
Genres orchestral, video games, theatre and short film
Occupation(s) Composer
Years active 1990-present
Website www.alexotterlei.com

Alex Otterlei (born 17 September 1968 in Antwerp) is a multiple award-winning composer who writes evocative and often very filmic music for orchestra, concert band and other ensembles. Alongside, Otterlei has created music and sound effects for theatre, short films, video games, roleplaying games and art installations. His music appears on various albums.

Biography

In the nineties Alex Otterlei pioneered the art of writing soundtracks for roleplaying games, resulting in popular rpg-soundtracks such as “Battlethemes”, “Arthur” and “Where Evil Lurks”. His Cthulhu-inspired orchestral soundtrack “Horror on the Orient Express” achieved international acclaim. Between 2003 and 2010 Alex Otterlei scored music and/or created sound effects for various videogames including the award-winning series Monkey Tales. Starting from 2009 Otterlei also began to write concert music for orchestra, concert band and other ensembles. Although considered mainly autodidact, Otterlei was later on mentored by Hans Lamal and prominent composer Luc van Hove.

Style

Best described as neo-tonal, Otterlei does not shun recognizable melodies. He employs modern as well as traditional harmonies, integrating consonance and dissonance in a fluid and logical way. His rhythmic structures can be complex, but they also remain dependent of traditional metrical thinking.

Works

Symphonic

  • Wondrous Journey Part I (2011)
  • New Beginnings (2010)
  • Horror on the Orient Express (revised for Suite 2009)
  • Ocean Ouverture (2006)
  • City Life & The Race (2002)
  • Horror on the Orient Express (integral 2000)

Concert Band

  • Wondrous Journey Part I (2012)
  • New Beginnings (2012)
  • Horror on the Orient Express (Suite version 2012)

String Quintet

  • Violince and Passion (1994)

Harp and Soprano

  • Prelude for Harp and Mermaid (2006)

Music Theatre

  • "Eeuwige Sneeuw", music for the theatrical play by Stefan Perceval (2010)

Discography

  • 2012: "Wondrous Journey, Part 1"_Single download
  • 2011: "Eeuwige Sneeuw, Soundtrack" _CD
  • 2010: "New Beginnings"_Single download
  • 2006: "Where Evil Lurks, Special Edition"_CD re-release, with an exclusive story written by Rhianna Pratchett.)
  • 2005: "Xyanide, Official Soundtrack"_Enhanced CD
  • 2000: "Horror on the Orient Express"_CD
  • 1994: "Where Evil Lurks"_CD
  • 1993: "Horror Triptych"_mini CD
  • 1992: "Battlethemes"_CD
  • 1990: "Arthur"_CD

Game scores

Awards

  • 2011: Best Soundtrack Award for the shortfilm “Darkness” by Kevin Lauryssen at the Ciné Public Festival
  • 2006: Gouden Klaproos Award for international achievements bestowed by SABAM
  • 2002: Best Young Filmcomposer Award at the World Soundtrack Awards

References

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