Meet the composer

There's been a few but I genuinely cannot remember anything about any physical interaction I've ever had with a film composer. And that's probably for the best.

Thor might remember some details.

Attending film music festivals does offer the opportunity to interact with invited composers, for example at breakfast or in the bar (if you are fortunate enough to be in the same hotel as they are).

And sometimes, there was the chance to eat out with them too. Christopher Young is such a friendly guy who seems to be genuinely pleased when he has the opportunity to meet film music enthusiasts. I can't recall how it happened but a group of us ended up in a restaurant with Chris having a great meal and he picked up the bill at the end of the evening. That was such a great night. I do seem to remember at one point Chris was encouraged to play something on a piano that was in the restaurant - but I can't recall whether he played anything or not.

If the link works here's some photographic evidence of one such event: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid … amp;type=3

Another time I ended up at a meal with a composer - this one a bit more hazy - was at either the same SONCINEMAD meeting or the other one I was at. I can't even remember who the composer was. Christopher Gordon? Maybe. I can't really remember the details because I (and one or two others) were really 'hangers on' who managed to attend the meal without really being invited. I do remember one of the composer's entourage being quite surprised (and a little bit annoyed) at just how many people were going to be at the meal. But, he didn't really want the fuss of telling some people that they couldn't come. I wish I could remember who the composer was!

That's neat! Is that Jesper Hansen sitting next to Chris (with the white/red shirt)? I know him. [Edit: I see now that the photo was actually added by him, so that solves that].

I'm still annoyed that I had to decline a party at Chris Young's house when I was in LA in 2012, because I had already prebooked a trip to the Catalina Island. Oh well. Some day, I'll get to meet him too.

As you've deduced, yes, that is Jesper. We got to know each other a little at that festival and we keep in touch occasionally on social media.

These are some great stories Thor (and photos!) Really makes me miss hanging out with people! And traveling! You're so lucky to have gotten to meet or interview so many great composer!

Back in 2016 was, I think, the last time I met up with other MainTitles people:

https://scontent.fbhx4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ … e=60A13A28

It was ahead of the Brian Tyler concert in London (what a great concert that was! The photo above was an extra-concert activity of drinks in a rooftop bar in London a day or two before the concert. And on the day of the concert there was a photo opportunity for all those who were at the concert itself:

https://scontent.fbhx4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ … e=609EEA2A

After the concert, we met up in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall and we were wondering what to do with ourselves. A few of the group decided to head off to see if they could meet Brian but the rest of us decided to pass on that and just head off to a nearby venue for something to eat and drink. We had a couple of hours enjoying the food and company where we discussed various film music-related topics.

I can't remember what time it was by the time we left the place but some of decided that we'd head off to our (cheap) hotel for a reasonably early night (it must have been getting on for midnight). I remember 4-5 of us headed off looking for a taxi rank and the route took is past the Festival Hall and the stage door. And guess who was by the door signing autographs, posing for photos and generally spending some time with fans? Brian Tyler. And this was over a couple of hours after the concert had finished!

I don't think that he'd been out there all that time but that he may have been told that there were people hoping to speak with him and he had come to see them some time later and we were lucky enough to be passing when he was there.

So, a group of us had a chance to have a bit of a chat with Brian. He seemed genuinely touched to see the enthusiasm of those who wanted to chat and he said that the experience he had had conducting his music was one that would stay with him (I think that his mother had traveled over from the US to see the concert - it may have been Tyler's first big concert of his music).

So, that was a great but very fortuitous meeting with the composer. But a great photo opportunity:

https://scontent.fbhx4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/ … e=60A11C76

I suppose my best meet up with a composer was when I spent an afternoon with Marco Beltrami in the control at Studio One, Abbey Road in London at a session for THE OMEN remake.

I wish I could remember how this came about but I have completely forgotten how it happened. Pawel, were you involved? I'd love it if I could remember what happened!

Living in North Wales it was about 180 miles to the studio it took me all morning to get there by train, tube and walking. But once I was there it wasn't long before I was signed in at reception and was heading down to the studio. The booth was full of people busy working on one of the cues they had recorded earlier in the day - and it was great to hear Jerry Goldsmith's original theme blaring out of those speakers in the control room. It was a great start to a great few hours.

I didn't get formally introduced to Marco as the whole group were 'in the zone' busy doing all their own jobs. I could see Marco, Buck Sanders (I think) and the film's director, John Moore. I just stood at the back watching all that was going on and listening to the cues for the afternoon being recorded (minus choir). I remember a couple of cues - the one where the guy is decapitated by the falling signage, and the visit to the safari and the problems with the primates.

And at a break in the recording when people went to lunch (I am remembering stuff whilst writing so I must have arrived prior to the lunch break). When everyone was out I was able to pop into the studio and I had a wander around looking at the music on the stands for the various parts of the orchestra. Later in the day it was interesting to hear someone from the orchestra ask who what written the music they were playing - someone had forgotten to add the composer's name to the music they had!

At some point I was moved upstairs to a sort of room with sofas and tables and there was a door out onto an area overlooking the studio proper and that was a good chance to see what was happening from a higher perspective.

I was in awe on how good the musicians were and how the composer could make changes to the score as written because of suggestions from the director or from Beltrami himself. There was even a point where they decided to get the strings to use any pens they had as percussive tools to strike their instrument's strings to get an unusual sound.

Once the day's recording had finished (I think that it may have been the end of the recording except for the choir the following day) the control room the atmosphere softened markedly and Beltrami's family came in. It was at this point that I had a chance to chat to Marco (but only for a short time). And I had the chance to have my photo taken with the composer - the photo taken by Hollywood director John Moore!

I also remember a lighter moment when one of Marco's children (I assume) tapped Marco on the back whilst he was speaking to someone and the child pretended that he was busy doing something else. Obviously, Marco turned round and looked at me thinking that it was me. I professed my innocence and the child found it very funny. As did Marco. Luckily.

The whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable. And very surreal. I was home that evening and everything was as though nothing had every happened.

I have a few photos somewhere - these are some of the frustrating photos I have somewhere but can't access them. I must have shared them on social media at some point but can't recall whether it was Facebook or Twitter but I can't see them when I try to search for them on those platforms.

I hope that this emerges! All I recall at the moment is that I knew to turn up on a certain day and I was let in. I don't know even if I was on a list at Abbey Road or whether me turning up and talking with confidence allowed me to blag my way in. One thing in my favour was that I knew the details of the recording that was happening.

It was (though the train journey there and back on the same day did make it very tiring - probably not such a problem in the US with your vast distances!) and I am sometimes sad that a day like that hasn't happened again.

That is very special indeed!! I've always wondering if composers remember their music that well, sounds like they do! Love that you had an impromptu mini-concert!

I think that it was this

http://www.bernardherrmann.org/articles … mance_2-6/

What are the others?

Newman's notoriously elusive/shy. I'd love to hear you interview him... and I'd love to donate some questions.

The most I've seen him 'exposed' is his appearance at one of those Oxford Union addresses five years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeHNUJ-hNmE

It's silence of the lambs here today. Let me butt in with a few posts after having had a bottle of red wine with a good friend in the garden this evening.

We're continuing the WSA line, and after 2012, we're now at 2014 (for some reason, I didn't go to Ghent in 2013). Guests this time included Cliff Martinez, Francis Lai, Bruno Coulais. Probably others.

I interviewed Cliff Martinez for this event. The interview can be heard here. It also has the photo of me and him. Beth Krakower organized it, she has since sadly passed away.

Additionally, I took a selfe with Francis Lai in an old church, where the press conference was held. Lai has also passed away since then.

Other highlights of the trip included a field trip to Brugge, including a visit at the Henri Maes brewery and some sort of WW2 ceremony at night. Amazingly, also a trip to the Westvleteren brewery. This was also when Bregt and Kaat organized a dinner at their place (I think I spent one night there), where I basically drained their haul of beers. Or maybe that was the year after, I'm not quite sure.