web analytics

Blog

Manuel Marino

Limited Time Offer on Cinematic Film Music!

Get original, cinematic music for your project.

Browse my GIGs and choose your favorite. First order automatically discounted!

Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, artist and music composer with over ten years of experience, specializing in the captivating world of music and entertainment. Manuel is an expert in creating soundtracks for short films, feature films and video games. How to Register and Order on My Film Music Orchestral Page

Manuel’s Blog is a personal digital space where I share my thoughts, projects, and passions. Here you’ll find articles about music, technology, arts, books, culture, and personal reflections.

The blog brings together my ideas and the contributions of friends and readers, offering a mix of inspiration, practical tips, and honest opinions.

Whether you are curious about creativity, looking for advice, or just want to explore different topics with me, you’ll always find something interesting to read.

You can find our Privacy Policy here: https://manuelmarino.com/blog/privacy-policy/

You can find our Terms of Service here: https://manuelmarino.com/blog/terms-of-service/

The Magic of Medieval Music in Fantasy Video Games

medieval music

There is something deeply enchanting about medieval music. Its haunting melodies, ancient instruments, and timeless scales have the power to transport listeners to another world, a world of knights, castles, and forgotten legends. In fantasy video games, medieval music plays a crucial role in creating immersive, believable settings that feel both ancient and magical.

The sounds of lutes, harps, flutes, and hand drums evoke a rawness that modern instruments often cannot capture. These organic sounds immediately set the tone for a fantasy realm where magic and myth live side by side. When a player first enters a medieval inspired village or a misty forest, the soft pluck of a lute or the distant call of a horn tells them they are somewhere far removed from the ordinary world.

One reason medieval music feels so natural in fantasy games is because both tap …

...Read the rest.

“The Magic of Medieval Music in Fantasy Video Games”

Black Holes as Gods: Cosmic Forces and Divine Mysteries at the Heart of the Galaxy

black holes

The idea that black holes could be considered gods is a fascinating intersection of science, philosophy, and spirituality. It’s an evocative concept: if the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy were some natural manifestation of a god, what implications would that have for our understanding of the universe and our place within it?

Black holes are regions of spacetime exhibiting such strong gravitational effects that nothing—not even particles and electromagnetic radiation such as light—can escape from inside it.

The supermassive black hole believed to reside at the center of the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A*, significantly influences the galaxy’s structure and dynamics. Its immense gravitational pull orchestrates the orbits of stars in the galaxy, much like a conductor leading an orchestra.

From a scientific viewpoint, suggesting that black holes are gods might seem a stretch. However, integrating this with spiritual or philosophical interpretations, where natural phenomena are often seen as manifestations of the divine, could provide a novel perspective.

Throughout history, many cultures have revered celestial objects and astronomical phenomena. For example, ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Egyptians personified the sun, moon, and stars as gods. Similarly, in Hindu cosmology, the universe is cyclically …

...Read the rest.

“Black Holes as Gods: Cosmic Forces and Divine Mysteries at the Heart of the Galaxy”

Alexander The Great Music

alexander the great

Many people know that Iron Maiden wrote a song about Alexander the Great, but some may wonder if this historical figure had a fondness for music. In this article, we will take a brief look at Alexander’s life and uncover his musical preferences. The truth might astonish you, especially if you aren’t well-versed in history. If you’re intrigued by Alexander the Great’s musical tastes, continue reading to learn more about this legendary leader.

Ancient texts about Alexander the Great indicate that he indeed had a strong affinity for poetry and music, especially during his teenage years. It is essential to recognize that in the Classical Age, literacy skills were not widespread. However, Alexander’s status enabled him to acquire and develop an appreciation for the finer aspects of life, such as music.

As the son of King Philip II of Macedon, Alexander was destined for a privileged existence. One such benefit was receiving education from the era’s renowned masters, including Lysimachus of Acarnania, who taught him to play the lyre. From then on, Alexander nurtured a lifelong passion for various music genres popular during his time, even the music of the enemy territories he conquered throughout his military campaigns.

Although he …

...Read the rest.

“Alexander The Great Music”

Music of the 50s

Photo credits: Jeffrey Zeldman

The Magic of 1950s Music

The music of the 1950s is captivating in many respects. In this article, we will explore some of the music styles that gained popularity during the ’50s in the United States. By examining these genres, it becomes evident how music from later generations has its roots in this era. As a passionate music enthusiast and history student, I find it fascinating to delve into the music of this period.

Top Music Genres of the 1950s

Here’s an overview of the prevalent music genres of the ’50s, along with a few notable examples for you to explore and appreciate the musical creations of this generation.

  1. Classic Pop – This musical style had already existed for some time, but it gained more popularity during the 1950s as people increasingly listened to radios at home and in their cars.
  2. R&B – Rhythm and blues had also been around for a while, but the 1950s saw significant innovations in this genre. It also went on to influence other musical styles.
  3. Rock and Roll – This genre truly took off in the 1950s, with artists like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley leading the way. By the

...Read the rest.

“Music of the 50s”

History and Memory

The relationship between history and memory is complex and intertwined, as seen in Mark Baker’s work The Fiftieth Gate and Jerry Fowler’s interview with Elie Wiesel, where they explore the dependability and accuracy of memory in history.

Baker’s exploration of his parents’ past shows that both history and memory have their flaws. While history is used to confirm experiences, it is also characterised as cold and lacking emotion. On the other hand, memory is depicted as indistinct and evasive, with Baker favouring the exactness of history. However, the traumatic nature of events like the Holocaust has a lasting impact on survivors, and sensory imagery is used to present memories as fact and to show the force of individual experiences.

Similarly, in Memory and Witness, Wiesel asserts the importance of “bearing witness” and telling the truth. He highlights the human tendency to “lower the truth to comfort” and the destructive nature of fictitious remembrance. He also emphasises the responsibility we have to humanise history and humanity through memory.

Through both individual experiences and recorded evidence, history and memory are essential to preserving the past. However, the relationship between them is not always positive, and the lasting impact …

...Read the rest.

“History and Memory”

History of Meditation

Perhaps as historic as the Bible itself, the history of meditation has been recorded for thousands of years. Although the exact origins are uncertain, there are various speculations.

One iconic figure in the history of meditation is the Buddha, dating back to 500 B.C. After living a life of luxury in his early years, Siddhartha, the Buddha, became aware of the realities of life beyond his upbringing. He realized that life was filled with sorrow and suffering and renounced worldly pleasures to pursue more spiritual goals. However, he later discovered that extreme asceticism was not the solution either. Instead, he embraced a middle path between indulgence and asceticism. At the age of 30, Siddhartha attained “enlightenment” or Nirvana, a heightened state of awareness achieved through meditation.

For the rest of his life, he dedicated himself …

...Read the rest.

“History of Meditation”