Born and raised in New York City, presently a San Diegan, Charles Mazarakes, an award winning filmmaker, has been making short films since he was a teenager.
Always fascinated by the rhythms of film editing and the marriage of image to sound, he (drawing on his early keyboard training) recently began creating original music for his films.
A door opened and wondrous, eclectic, magical music stormed in. Influenced by a panoply of styles and composers from Bach, Vangelis, Glass, Yanni and Classic film scores "Lost Islands on an Imagined Sea" is Mazarakes' first album. Brimming with short captivating gems, sad, uplifting, heroic, tender, it will take you to times and lands that will forever haunt your soul.
Composer Dr. Madelyn Byrne has featured his music at the "Electro-Acoustic Music Experience" at Palomar College and recently his music was beautifully choreographed to by Faith Jensen-Ismay, Artistic Director of the Mojalet Dance Collective.
Some recent reviews of "We Welcome Him" already wining awards in the following categories on Garageband.com.
Track of the Day on 21Jun2005 in Classical
Best Programming in Classical, week of 27Jun2005
Best Production in Classical, week of 27Jun2005
Most Original in Classical, week of 27Jun2005
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Regal Short-Short from another era!
The intro strings are soft and pretty. I like the melody. It's all a bit traditional, somewhat 18th Century. The violin tones especially come out very well.
The way in which the instruments integrate is very good. This lacks the "canned" feel which is a risk for this type of work. The rather stark but not overdone rhythmic touches are nice--an almost martial song bearing in a song that is not particularly a "martial" song.
This :55 piece is not long enough, of course, and I'm thinking what would be an effective "mini-movement" to follow--perhaps a woodwind solo, backed by a similar melodic theme.
But I'm really taken by how traditional the sound is, without this being treachly or offensive.
I keep playing it back through, admiring the way its virtual components easily intermingle.
I'd be so proud if one of my pieces had the strings interplay and melodic cohesion of the short-short piece.
In literature, the "flash" short-short story has become in vogue, in which inessentials are cut out to allow for a 'cut to the chase'. This is the aural equivalent--the artist shows us a beautiful piece, imagines with us what it could become, lets a variety of strings play it, keeps the percussion so gentle as is appropriate, and then leaves the scene.
I think it's a wonderful piece. But do make it longer--this is really winning stuff, and I really like it.
Reviewed by: gurdonark from Allen, Texas
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Electronic Hayden!
Very good use of classical mode using synth on all the layered parts. It is a wondrous thing being able to compose and call up your electronic orchestra to play your music, then digitally record and even master your recording and cut a disc all in tour living room. What an age we live in. If the great masters had these tools available you can bet they would uses them.
Extra Credit: Programming, Production, Melody.
- exhippiedude
Independence, Oregon
June 25th, 2005
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Refreshing 1600's style
This piece was very motivating. It feels like an encore for a prince or king. It has the old style common in the 1600's and early 1700's which is very refreshing to hear.
The sound is good and was arranged very well. Has an upbeat tempo that makes me want to stroll down an aisle.
Overall quality is very good, including sound, arrangement and production. Nice composition!
Extra Credit: Keyboards, Programming, Production, Melody, Beat, Mood, Originality.
- jeffreylmeyer
Hastings, Florida
June 24th, 2005
Parichayaka
I'm always happy to come across member who put out classical music and soundtracks. Your music is really enjoyable, relaxed but quite focused. This piece has fresh energy to it and the instruments sound well together seems like you have an intuitive sense of what works. And I'm on to another one of your posts! _______________________________________________
Reviews of my recent work.
"3 Stages to the Sun"
Dark Wonderful build up. This song gives a sensation of tragedy, struggle and solution. If I were a filmmaker this is the kind of sound I would want backing my art.
- KingBigNuts from Sweet Corners, Ontario, Canada on 14Jul2005
Really mysterious beginning. Good spectrum of sound.
I wondered if it was going to develop more out of the E flat minor section.
Entirely consistent sound, reasonable production values used.
Really good work.
- alex_brewer from United Kingdom on 13Jul2005
Way Cool
Well , the contrasting second section was an unexpectedly & sudden shift of CEP (conceptual experiential perception).
The first ( I liked how the melody evolved from phrase to phrase ) & third section however , were most enjoyable.
- ABVanGrieg from Huntsville, Alabama on 13Jul2005
Moody and Dramatic
The droning synthesizer in the background of this one sets a dramatic tone. The strings repeat a similar sounding part as well, adding to the build. This reminds me a little of the Pink Floyd song Shine On You Crazy Diamond at first.
- SunnKing from Unspecified on 11Jul2005
Nice
Atmospheric intro, A little dark sounding and feeling. I liked that bass synth that drones through under the melody. Some nice production work on this track, reminds of some of William Orbits works to start with. I liked the built up section and some nice catchy melodies here. Not overly sure about the midi kind of sound to the keys part (this seems a big thing on GB) but still really liked the overall sound.
- charles5000 from United Kingdom on 10Jul2005
Mini Symponia!
Initially the dark brooding feel of this piece reminds me of Gorecki's way of layering strings.
I'd be interested to see where this would go if developed further.
- tendermercies from Glasgow, United Kingdom on 9Jul2005
Good Violin
very good violinist and that spooky sound in the background make the song sound mysterious which I like.
Very good job!
- foundationoffur from Unspecified on 9Jul2005
Ambient and Mysterious
A slightly dark, maybe more "mysterious" or "dramatic" mood to it. A little "synthy" sounding. The first half I like it as an ambient piece, but it isn't wholly engaging. The second half is great, but seems like a different song entirely.
- AlRavage from Malden, Massachusetts on 9Jul2005
This was intriguing. Amazing texture and mood. Very cinematic and film scorish
- Mydnyter from Lakewood Center, Washington on 8Jul2005
Star Trek
The way this is orchestrated I feel as if I'm watching a star trek episode. Very Nice Production.
Interesting theme being developed in the lower strings.
The sudden transition was a welcome change to the drawn out intro.
Melody is somewhat "clichéd" but it works.
Was this originally synched to a film?
- Event_Horizon from Windsor, Canada on 8Jul2005
Reviews from "Horizon"
Absolutely Breath Taking
This song is so somber and so relaxing that I played it over and over again.
I am so into this peice you have such wonderful taste that I can find words to express it...
I think that I would love to hear more from you.
This peice is priceless!
A+ Perfect Rating!
Reviewed by: Anubadude from Detroit, Michigan
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Floats..
This is like the response when depth calls unto height, be ready for the reaction. There was definitely dialogue and then there was calm. Good composition. Recording and Production.
- TheBattleToads
September 11th, 2005Â
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Beautiful
I love the feeling it gives me. It kinda makes me feel like somthing big is about to happen. Was this done on a keyboard, because for some reson it seams like it. Well done on one or not, I love it
- X10
September 17th, 2005Â
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Nice midi work
The sounds you worked with are very well blended and arranged for this very moody, very plesant and inspiring piece. Wonderful chord changes and movement in this piece. Melancholic and deep. Perhaps some dynamic differencial would add to the mystery, still, a very fine work which shows great potential and promise ... and that is what this site is actually supposed to be about!
Extra Credit: Programming, Production, Mood, Originality.
- LuiGentile
Eitorf-Bach, Originally Connecticut, Germany
September 16th, 2005
Clark Ross
It sets a mood very effectively. It's very beautiful, expansive (I can
imagine this music in an IMAX film, panning over a vast expanse of land and shows good craft. Good counterpoint. Very fine writing, and I hope to hear more of your music here!
Eduard Schwan
I like the overall composition, nice interplay between violins and cello
parts. It felt somber, with the high strings presenting occasional shafts of light, somewhat like a cloudy sunset.
Track List:
1. We Welcome Him
2. Ancient Skys
3. Sultan's Pleasure
4. The Long Road
5. City Work
6. The Man from Cornish
7. Come with Me
8. What a Joy to Play
9. Arabian Nights
10. A French Cafe
11. You will Never Know
12. Together
13. I Go My Own Way
14. Forest Rains
15. Through the Sky
16. The City
17. Empty Streets
18. So Far Away
19. The Forge
20. Dance with an Old Friend
21. Calipso Shack
22. Memory Waltz
23. We Ride for the Queen
24. Search for an Exit
25. He'll Play for Food
26. Through the Desert
27. Horseman with Trumpets
28. Legionnaire's Promise
29. He's Coming
30. Calliapi
31. Larry's Diti
32. Sebastian Waits
33. Cowboy Pride
34. Horizon
35. We are Brothers
36. The Marketplace
37. The Hall
38. The Garden
39. Celebration
40. Where Am I ?
41. An Answer
42. Have I lost?
43. Stones
44. A New Beginning
Suggested CDs:
Other Genres:
