Olivier Deriviere scores South of Midnight

Last spring, award-winning composer and music designer Olivier Deriviere recorded his score for new Xbox and Compulsion Games title South of Midnight with the 60-piece London Contemporary Orchestra. The orchestral sessions took place at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, and we’re delighted to share some photos from the scoring sessions with our readers!

For the full gallery of photos, click here!

Hugh Brunt conducting the London Contemporary Orchestra on South of Midnight

Olivier Deriviere listens to the orchestra at Abbey Road Studio 1

The project marks Deriviere’s most ambitious game music production to date, featuring over 100 live recording sessions across Nashville, London, and Paris. Supported by Compulsion Games and Xbox, the score is a rich and immersive musical journey inspired by the American South—with Deriviere’s own dark folktale twist..

The brass performing at Abbey Road

The violins

"These past two and a half years have been an incredible journey," says Deriviere. "Working alongside the immense creative talent at Compulsion Games has guided me in crafting a unique musical world inspired by the Deep South. It has also been a personal journey, as I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with many different artists who brought their heart and soul to my music. I couldn’t be happier with the result, and I hope you enjoy the ride."

Inside the control room at Abbey Road Studio 1: composer Olivier Deriviere, recording engineer John Kurlander, music editor Cécile Coutelier and additional orchestrator Jan Fité

The view from the control room at Abbey Road Studio 1

In the booth at Abbey Road was award-winning recording engineer John Kurlander, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

South of Midnight is now out on Xbox and Windows. There are two soundtrack releases for the game: the " Original Soundtrack" – a sweeping orchestral narrative performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra at Abbey Road, with tracks that mirror the game’s events. Special attention was given to boss encounters, each receiving grand orchestral reinterpretations of their theme songs; the " Original Songs" album, featuring compositions by Deriviere with lyrics by Compulsion Games, these were performed by artists from Nashville and Paris, using traditional Southern instruments like folk guitars, banjo, church organ, and fiddle.

The London Contemporary Orchestra performs at Abbey Road

For the full gallery of photos, click here!

Special thanks to Greg O’Connor-Read. Photos by Ky Vy Le Duc / Ameo Prod.