mahler3

Karen Smith speaks with me about her work for John Williams as his personal music librarian in the latest FSM Online. Here's a clip:

 

https://soundcloud.c...n-john-williams

 

 

During my visit to LA and subsequent meeting with many brilliant industry folks, i've learned some fascinating things which many of you will be interested in:

 

• John Williams mother loved flight and was enthralled by space travel. The Paramount music librarian (and James Horner's personal librarian) arranged for Buzz Aldrin to sign a photo for JW's mum back in the 70's, it read: "Mrs. Williams. Come fly with me, Buzz".
• JW served in the Korean war as a musician.
• The 'Among the Clouds' cue from 'Always' was written for BOTH flute and French horn originally. JW told Jim Thatcher that if he couldn't quite reach those incredible high notes, not to worry as Jim Walker will play them on flute. Essentially it was a fun challenge for Thatcher and the rest is history!

I'll post some more bits and pieces over the next few days.

 

 

Hello!

Sorry if this sounds a bit PR-ish, i've been helping the composer get the word out about this new work - it's just a quick post to bring your attention to a really wonderful orchestral / vocal cross-over album which was inspired by music written for a film that ultimately didn't happen: 'The Sound of Gaya'. There's an official Facebook page with lots of audio and video content here, plus an opportunity to win CD's of the album this week:

http://www.facebook.com/TheSoundOfGaya

and the website is here:

http://www.thesoundofgaya.com/

The composer, James Seymour Brett is currently working on Pixar's Planes and has already had a busy 2012, scoring Stephen Frears' 'Lay the Favourite', a couple of French films and he was the Orchestral Music Director for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert in June. He also recently conducted the end title song for 'The Hobbit'.

Film Music Site interviewed James about the album recently:

http://www.filmmusic...t&id=98&lang=en

If you would like a question submitted to Monsieur Desplat please post it here. I'm interviewing him in 4 hours. Thanks!

This is an excellent interview by the Hollywood Reporter's Ray Bennett, which I can't see posted anywhere here yet. Some really good insights about Altman, Hitchcock and Sinatra:

http://www.thecliffedge.com/?p=3049