Next summer Simon Morice is shooting a documentary about a polar expedition involving some brave men from Lymington who hope to break the record for the: “fastest, unsupported, unassisted crossing from edge of continent to South Pole”.

The above promo has music scored by Southampton’s Mike Torr.

See also: South pole soundtrack for Mike Torr

First published in the Southern Daily Echo, Friday 2nd April 2010

The world of film music has always fascinated me, my first album was a collection of movie themes released by MfP (Music for Pleasure).

So it has been great fun talking with Mike Torr recently who is composing scores for the south coast production company i-catching which is run by director Simon Morice.

Next summer Simon is shooting a documentary about a polar expedition involving some brave men from Lymington who hope to break the record for the: “fastest, unsupported, unassisted crossing from edge of continent to South Pole”.

The record is currently held by Norwegians and is exactly the same route taken by Capt Robert Scott some 100 years ago.

Even though this attempt is taking place many months away Mike has already written the overture for “The Best of British South Pole Expedition”.

Mike’s work is epic and can be best described as a ‘tone poem’ a piece that is completely inspired by the landscape or narrative.

“The whole point of film music is that you provide an emotional guide for the audience” he told me and Mike’s been given great freedom by the director: “He comes round to my studio and we talk about not just about the music but the concepts of the film.”

This is not a traditional approach to soundtracks as usually the musician is invited to work on the film four weeks before it is finished.

You can hear the overture tonight on Amazing Radio (7pm DAB and online at www.amazingradio.co.uk)