Pentiment

Alkemie presents a live concert of music from the BAFTA-award-winning video game PENTIMENT – a narrative RPG murder mystery set in 16th-century Bavaria. Alkemie composed, curated, and performed all of the music heard in this acclaimed game, directed by Josh Sawyer and released by Obsidian entertainment.

This program can be performed with or without projections of video clips of gameplay that accompany the music.

PROGRAM

     Title Screen – “O virtus sapientie,” Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)

Title Sequence – “Do fraig amors,” Oswald von Wolkenstein (c. 1377-1445)

City of Reason – “Ich stund”/Fortuna desperata,” Ludwig Senfl (c. 1486-c.1543)

Rüdeger’s Rehearsal – “Victimae pascali laudes,” attrib. Wipo of Burgundy (c. 11th century)

Sister Amalie’s First Vision – “Quia ergo femina,” Hildegard von Bingen

The Body – Niccolo Seligmann

Flight from the Library – “Tels rit au main,” Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377)

Andreas’ Farewell – “Fortuna desperata,” Anonymous (1501)

Andreas’ Return – “Fortuna desperata,” Anon. (1501)

Sister Amalie’s Second Vision – “Quia ergo femina,” Hildegard von Bingen

Otto at the Bonfire – “Fortuna, Bruder Conrat,” Heinrich Isaac (c. 1450-1517)

Melencholia Enthroned – “Ich stund an einem morgen” melody

St. John’s Eve – “Karitas,” Hildegard von Bingen

The Mob Pursues the Abbot – “Saltarello,” Anon. (15th century)

A Deer’s End – “Pavane ‘Mille regretz,’” Tielman Susato (c. 1510-c.1570)

Rüdeger’s Comfort – “Petruslied,” Anon. (c. 10th century)

The Duke’s Herald – “L’homme armé” melody (15th century)

Esther Arrives Ben Matus

A Miller’s End – “Herz., prich,” Oswald von Wolkenstein

Vis Major – “La Déploration sur la Mort de Ockeghem,” Josquin des Prez (c. 1450-1521)

Pagan Pottery – Niccolo Seligmann

The Mithraeum – Niccolo Seligmann

Sic arsit historia kiersis – “Ellend du hast,” Anon. (16th century)

Out of the Shadows – “Fortuna desperata,” Anon. (1501)

City of Madness – “Ich stund an einem morgen” melody

Carcer Mentis – “Fortuna desperata” melody

Manu Propria – “Quia ergo femina,” Hildegard von Bingen

The Thread Puller – “Quis dabit capiti meo aquam?,” Heinrich Isaac

(65 minutes of music - this program is about 80 minutes in performance.)

ARTISTS

     Tracy Cowart (voice, harps)

Fiona Gillespie (voice, flute)

Shira Kammen (vielle, harp, voice)

Ben Matus (medieval bagpipes, recorders, percussion)

David McCormick (vielle)

Elisa Sutherland (voice, lyre)

Sian Ricketts (voice, recorders, douçaines)

Niccolo Seligmann (vielles, psaltery, scheitholt)

Spiff Wiegand (percussion)

PAST PERFORMANCES

Reviews for the music have been overwhelmingly positive, with the biggest complaint being that there wasn't more! 

- "When [the soundtrack] does kick in during various moments like a nun singing in church, or a jaunty tune accompanying a harrowing chase it is damned good. Featuring a mix of classics performed specifically for the game and new tunes it matches the setting well." 

- Jesse 'Doncabesa' Norris, Xboxera

 - "Forget the blood-soaked fury of 'God of War: Ragnarök', or the mysterious world of 'Elden Ring.' 'Pentiment' is the most engrossing video game from a major studio in 2022...The score, created by the medieval music ensemble Alkemie, is used sparingly, but when choir music or a haunting violin piece suddenly hits during a dramatic moment, it truly elevates the experience to a height normally reserved for angels and aircrafts."

- Jakob Hansen, Gamereactor