We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Aqua Harp Redux

by Joé McKen

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

    Click “Buy Digital Track” below and enter whatever price you like.
    $0 will get you the track for free, or you could add a tip, which is always super-appreciated!
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

about

“Aqua Harp” is perhaps the most famous track by computer-animated music video company Animusic, originally released on VHS & DVD in 2001, and is one of my favorite pieces of music. However, the original track is all computer-generated MIDI audio, and as lovely as it is, I’ve always been curious what it would sound like if performed with real instruments. Well, I may not have an actual orchestra at my disposal, but I have the next-best thing: samples!

I painstakingly recreated the original track by ear, which proved very tricky at points and I almost certainly got some small details wrong, but I daresay the result is the most accurate fan-made transcription you’re likely to find. I tried to hew as closely as possible to the original audio in every respect, with minimal creative license taken (such as the occasional tempo tweak where appropriate). One change made was to use string ensemble sections, as I feel the sound we hear in the original video is much closer to multiple players than soloists. I also used the viola rather than the violin (which is what most sources claim the smaller stringed instrument is), again because I feel it’s more accurate to the original tone. Finally, rather than a pan flute (as the steam whistles at the top are commonly described), I used an Irish flute, which has a similar breathy tone whilst being far more flexible (and adding that lovely flowing legato).

“Aqua Harp” © 2001 Animusic, LLC (composed by Wayne Lytle)
“Aqua Harp Redux” arranged by Joé McKen

————————————

CHANGELOG —
» 09/03/23: Updated socials.
» 11/26/22: First posted on Bandcamp.

————————————

SHEET MUSIC (PDF) —
Link available on SoundCloud (Bandcamp doesn’t allow Dropbox links):
soundcloud.com/joe-mcken/aqua-harp-redux

————————————

SOCIALS —

Personal website: joemcken.net
Commission information: bit.ly/JMComms

You can also find my music on:
» SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/joe-mcken
» YouTube: www.youtube.com/@joemcken

For announcements and personal news, follow me on:
» Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/music.joemcken.net
» Twitter: twitter.com/joemcken_music
» Mastodon: mas.to/@jm_music

————————————

Recorded November 26, 2022
Software used:
» Written & recorded with Sibelius using the following sound libraries:
    » Woodwinds: CineWinds
    » Percussion: CinePerc
    » Keyboards: Spitfire Harp
    » Strings: Modern Scoring Strings
» Mastered with Ozone & Audacity

credits

released November 26, 2022

license

tags

about

Joé McKen image

Joé McKen Québec

Composer in Québec specializing in orchestral, particularly soundtracks. My tools are Sibelius and a mountain of virtual instruments. (Also known as Noc.)

Open for commissions! See link below for more info.

COPYRIGHT/LICENSING: All original content on this page is licensed under CC BY-NC (bit.ly/CCBYNC4), unless otherwise noted.
If you wish to use it for commercial purposes, just ask! ... more

contact / help

Contact Joé McKen

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Joé McKen, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now