'Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen', NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen's solo album based on a graphic novel called 'The Life And Times Of Scrooge McDuck', written and illustrated by Don Rosa, has registered the following first-ewek chart positions:

1. Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge Movie
2. Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge Cast

Finland: #1
Switzerland: #19
Germany: #23
Czech Republic: #40
Austria: #52
UK: #92
Belgium: #92

Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge: Label: Nuclear Blast: Generic musical style: Heavy / Power / Symphonic: Detailed musical style: Orchestral Rock: Bar code: 625: Catalog # NB31962: Release Date: 22 Feb 2014.

Comments Holopainen: 'The response to the album 'The Life And Times Of Scrooge' has been unexpectedly overwhelming and heartwarming. I wish to thank you all for the support! Moreover, I hope the album has brought Don Rosa's wonderful story to your attention, as well!'

This 12-chapter book tells the life story of Scrooge, from his early years in the 19th century Scotland to his adventures all around the world until the 1950s. The story contains such immense depth, detail, wit and emotional power that the moment Tuomas read it nearly 20 years ago, it instantly became a story of profound personal interest and love for him. The initial spark of 'coloring' this story with music, i.e. creating a kind of 'soundtrack' for the book, came to him already in 1999, and has ever since haunted the back of his mind.

Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge Movie

'Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen' contains 10 songs, with total duration of approximately 60 minutes. The music is said to be in the soundtrack / classical / folk genre in the vein of Vaughan Williams, Michael Nyman, James Newton Howard and Enya.

Pip Williams did the orchestral arrangements for the 'Life And Times Of Scrooge' disc, continuing his collaboration with Tuomas after the NIGHTWISH records 'Once', 'Dark Passion Play' and 'Imaginaerum'.

There are a number of guest musicians appearing on 'Life And Times Of Scrooge', including the London Orchestra, The Metro Voices (a choir from London) and four lead vocalists: Alan Reid, Johanna Kurkela, Johanna Iivanainen and Tony Kakko. Other guest appearances include Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes, low whistles, bodhran), Mikko Iivanainen (guitars and banjo), Teho Majamäki (didgeridoo), Jon Burr (harmonica) and Dermot Crehan on the solo violin.

1. Listen free to Tuomas Holopainen – Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge (Glasgow 1877, Into The West and more). 11 tracks (60:14). Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at Last.fm.
2. Music Inspired by the Life and Times of Scrooge is an album for every occasion and for every emotion felt. The album has a tranquil effect, similar to that of Classic music, making it not only for true Nightwish fans or metal fans, but for everyone.

The recordings took place during August - October 2013, first at Angel Studios in London, then in various locations around Scotland and Finland.

The author of the book, Don Rosa, did the artwork for the album.

Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge Cast

Holopainen recently spoke to Finland's YLE about 'Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen'. Check out the report below.

Tuomas previously stated about how the idea for the project came about: 'It was back in 1999, during the 'Oceanborn' tour, that I remember first having the idea of writing a 'soundtrack' to my all-time favorite piece of Disney comic, 'The Life And Times Of Scrooge McDuck', by Don Rosa, the apparent heir of the almighty Carl Barks. This book has had such an overwhelming effect on me throughout these years, and finally I have the means and the time to make that dream a reality.

'It all started with a story called 'Last Sled To Dawson', which was published in a Finnish Donald Duck magazine in the late '80s. It instantly became one of my favorite Scrooge/Donald stories and also introduced Mr. Don Rosa to my Disney universe. This story is not part of the actual 'Life And Times' opus, though, but 'a companion story,' set in between the chapters #8 and #9. Then when the massive 12-chapter piece was released in mid-'90s, I was completely and utterly hooked. It was similar to reading 'The Lord Of The Rings' as an 8-year-old, or seeing 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' for the first time. Adventure, fun and the strangely familiar feeling of home.

'With Scrooge, there was also a much deeper level hidden between the stories and the gags.

'This is a book about life itself. What an unfathomable privilege it is, what are the things that truly matter during our existence. It's about the immense beauty of the world and its possibilities seen through the eyes of a very relentless, honest and complex character. It's about love and family, gain and loss, darkness and rebirth.

'And on top of that, well, it's just your good old-fashioned storytelling fun!'

'Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge - Written And Produced By Tuomas Holopainen' track listing:
01. Glasgow 1877
02. Into The West
03. Duel & Cloudscapes
04. Dreamtime
05. Cold Heart Of The Klondike
06. The Last Sled
07. Goodbye, Papa
08. To Be Rich
09. A Lifetime Of Adventure
10. Go Slowly Now, Sands Of Time

Bonus track:

11. A Lifetime Of Adventure (Alternate Version)