Composer Threads John Powell kicks ass

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

12 hours ago, Michael said:

There's apparently a secret film project he's working on[...]

 

The Jason Bournecy?

[Richard Penna 3,674]

10 hours ago, Faleel said:

I assume you mean vocal soloist

 

Correct

 

I would probably confine it 90% to opera singers - to me there seems to be little melody in what they're singing. Most soundtrack have sopranos (I believe so?) where the singer is contributing or counterpointing the rest of the orchestra. Opera doesn't do that for me.

[Loert 2,510]

Just returned from the premiere of "A Prussian Requiem".

 

For those out of the loop, it's a ~40 minute oratorio, divided into 10 parts, based on the true history of Moltke the Younger, a Prussian chief who in 1914, after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, convinced Kaiser Wilhelm II to carry out the Schlieffen Plan to defeat France. Moltke himself had been working on this strategic plan for many years and was (supposedly) determined to prove himself to be a national hero, just like his uncle Moltke the Elder. But the Schlieffen Plan ended up pretty much a failure and lead to, among other things, Great Britain declaring war on Germany...hence setting the First World War in full motion. Moltke was "the prick who started it all" (to quote John Powell).

 

Anyway, I thought "The Prussian Requiem" was brilliant. The libretto (by Michael Petry) is strong, and the way the music decorated and coloured the meaning of each and every word in some parts was very interesting to listen to. It is hard to describe the style of the music - I'd call it "free tonality". It is certainly not atonal, however Part 6 does feature a (very!) striking array of woodwind passages which sounds quite contemporary and original.

 

What I found refreshing was the fact that the music itself is not similar to Powell's typical output. I think there was only instance in the whole work where I "recognized" a kind of Powell-ian melodic shape in the chorus, but it was literally just a snippet, and on the whole Powell's approach to this work seemed starkingly different from the sort of 'pop' sound he uses in his film scores; it had much more of a neo-romantic edge to it.

 

Now, I didn't want to spoil the music very much, but I feel like I need to talk specifically about "Part 10: A Gift" (the last part). This part contains the climax of the entire work (although it's not so much a climax as it is a natural ending based on the story contained in the libretto). It is probably the most 'film-music-like' sounding part of the oratorio, and in my opinion, the most emotionally charged musical passage Powell has written yet. The reason why I say it is "film-music-like" is because it's so vivid that the imagery hits you right in the face. I would say that, if you're not particularly interested in listening to the whole oratorio, I would at least recommend you listen to this part on its own, because it really is a landmark in Powell's musical output.

So yeah, I can't wait to listen to the whole thing again on the upcoming album. And I totally recommend any John Powell, film music and/or classical music lovers to listen as well. It's a fabulous work and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[karelm 2,903]

1 hour ago, loert423 said:

Just returned from the premiere of "A Prussian Requiem".

 

For those out of the loop, it's a ~40 minute oratorio, divided into 10 parts, based on the true history of Moltke the Younger, a Prussian chief who in 1914, after the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, convinced Kaiser Wilhelm II to carry out the Schlieffen Plan to defeat France. Moltke himself had been working on this strategic plan for many years and was (supposedly) determined to prove himself to be a national hero, just like his uncle Moltke the Elder. But the Schlieffen Plan ended up pretty much a failure and lead to, among other things, Great Britain declaring war on Germany...hence setting the First World War in full motion. Moltke was "the prick who started it all" (to quote John Powell).

 

Anyway, I thought "The Prussian Requiem" was brilliant. The libretto (by Michael Petry) is strong, and the way the music decorated and coloured the meaning of each and every word in some parts was very interesting to listen to. It is hard to describe the style of the music - I'd call it "free tonality". It is certainly not atonal, however Part 6 does feature a (very!) striking array of woodwind passages which sounds quite contemporary and original.

 

What I found refreshing was the fact that the music itself is not similar to Powell's typical output. I think there was only instance in the whole work where I "recognized" a kind of Powell-ian melodic shape in the chorus, but it was literally just a snippet, and on the whole Powell's approach to this work seemed starkingly different from the sort of 'pop' sound he uses in his film scores; it had much more of a neo-romantic edge to it.

 

Now, I didn't want to spoil the music very much, but I feel like I need to talk specifically about "Part 10: A Gift" (the last part). This part contains the climax of the entire work (although it's not so much a climax as it is a natural ending based on the story contained in the libretto). It is probably the most 'film-music-like' sounding part of the oratorio, and in my opinion, the most emotionally charged musical passage Powell has written yet. The reason why I say it is "film-music-like" is because it's so vivid that the imagery hits you right in the face. I would say that, if you're not particularly interested in listening to the whole oratorio, I would at least recommend you listen to this part on its own, because it really is a landmark in Powell's musical output.

So yeah, I can't wait to listen to the whole thing again on the upcoming album. And I totally recommend any John Powell, film music and/or classical music lovers to listen as well. It's a fabulous work and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

Thanks for posting this review, loert423.  I can't wait to hear it.  I thought the clips posted earlier were fantastic!  I just hope I don't forget to buy the recording so if someone would post when it is available that would be great. 

[Jay 37,317]

Sounds great! 

[Incanus 5,713]

Thank you for the review loert423! Looking forward to hearing this when the CD comes out.

 

[Taikomochi 1,136]

Not sure how relevant it is to this thread or if it's been discussed elsewhere, but apparently Powell's wife passed away the night of the premiere.  Just terrible.

 

http://slippedisc.com/2016/03/the-composers-wife-died-30-minutes-after-world-premiere/

 

EDIT:  It appears this link no longer works, but KK shared Powell's personal facebook post about it below.

[KK 3,307]

Wow, that's horrible! Strange that Powell's Facebook page post just posted another "guess which score this is" sample...but I guess that's someone else managing it and didn't quite get the news.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Thats is awful!

 

RIP

[Jay 37,317]

12 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

Not sure how relevant it is to this thread or if it's been discussed elsewhere, but apparently Powell's wife passed away the night of the premiere.  Just terrible.

 

http://slippedisc.com/2016/03/the-composers-wife-died-30-minutes-after-world-premiere/

 

 

..... Damn.  That is heartbreaking.

[BloodBoal 7,538]

[Taikomochi 1,136]

I was coincidentally listening to X-Men 3 when I saw the article posted over at Filmtracks.  What a punch to the gut.

[karelm 2,903]

Terrible!  And so young too.

[crocodile 7,988]

So tragic. Don't know what to say really.

 

Karol

[Dixon Hill 4,233]

I just heard about this this morning.  Utterly devastating.

[Sharkissimo 1,973]

Christ, that's heartbreaking. My thoughts go out.

[Loert 2,510]

That's absolutely awful news. RIP.  

 

1 hour ago, KK. said:

Strange that Powell's Facebook page post just posted another "guess which score this is" sample...but I guess that's someone else managing it and didn't quite get the news.

 

I think Powell sets these up earlier and uses the "set date and time of your post" function so that they get posted every Tuesday at 5pm GMT.

[KK 3,307]

Ahh I see.

 

My thoughts go out to Powell and family. RIP

[nightscape94 965]

Jeez, I just stumbled on this thread again to find out about the concert work, which I was not previously aware of, and was about to post an "ata boy", only find out this shattering news.  Awful.

[Jay 37,317]

I guess this explains his semi reitremeny of late, then.

 

And why Stoik's Ship is so good

[Muad'Dib 1,801]

Fuck man, so out of the blue. My thoughts and sympathy are with Powell and his son.

[Incanus 5,713]

Such terrible news! My heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Powell and his son.

[publicist 4,643]

Dito.

[KK 3,307]

 

[Jay 37,317]

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Beautiful, but

[Dixon Hill 4,233]

Christ. 

[Incanus 5,713]

[Sharkissimo 1,973]

[Loert 2,510]

[crocodile 7,988]

Beautiful note. 

 

Karol

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Was informed of the news last night. Such a terrible loss. She was a photographer, and her studio was in-house alongside Powell's.

 

http://www.melindalerner.com

[nightscape94 965]

Man, that last line.

[Miz 139]

Touching indeed, especially for one who knows the bond he means.

 

In celebration of what their union manifested, I further explore Powell's work...

 

Does anybody know what proportion of the various Bourne scores are synthesised and instrumental? I heard from Classic FM that the first score was all sequenced synths.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

All of them are a mix of electronics and "real" instruments.

[Matt C 452]

Just heard about his wife passing away.

 

Very sorry about his loss. 

[Koray Savas 2,251]

21 hours ago, Stefancos said:

All of them are a mix of electronics and "real" instruments.

If by "real" you mean real, then yes. 

[crocodile 7,988]

On 16.03.2016 at 9:58 PM, Miz said:

Touching indeed, especially for one who knows the bond he means.

 

In celebration of what their union manifested, I further explore Powell's work...

 

Does anybody know what proportion of the various Bourne scores are synthesised and instrumental? I heard from Classic FM that the first score was all sequenced synths.

It was supposed to be all electronic but towards the end of scoring process they could afford a string sections. Each subsequent score would became increasingly acoustic.

 

Karol

[Muad'Dib 1,801]

Powell just posted this on Facebook

 

Mixing the orchestral suite of How To Train Your Dragon!

 

 

This must be for that suite album he's been talking about lately.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

The Jason Bourne trailer is out, confirming that Powell is returning to score, alongside David Buckley. Success!

 

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I dunno who David Buckley is, but more Powell Bourne is always good.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

He was one of Harry Gregson-Williams' proteges. Did additional music on many of his scores before branching out on his own. Also did work on a few of Elfman's recent scores, oddly enough.

 

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

A brutal car chase through Las Vegas? Please, let somebody make a Jason Bourne/Ocean's Eleven mash-up trailer, quick!

[crocodile 7,988]

Glad to see John Powell back. Big fan of this series' music.

 

Karol

[A. A. Ron 1,740]

Rather doubted Powell would ever come back. Excellent news, if true!

[Jay 37,317]

4 minutes ago, amh1219 said:

if true!

 

What do you mean "if true"?  It clearly says so right in the trailer!

 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

3 hours ago, amh1219 said:

Rather doubted Powell would ever come back. Excellent news, if true!

 

So its not confirmed yet?

[Jay 37,317]

yea I'm also confused by his post.

[A. A. Ron 1,740]

Oh, I'm just being paranoid. Sorry, for the confusion.

 

Obviously Powell has the gig for now. Greengrass returning and Powell sharing a co-composer credit with a relative unknown both give me pause and we've seen composers listed on posters and trailers before, only to have them replaced after the fact... I'm just nervous it'll be a Music by David Buckley, Themes by John Powell situation in the end.

[Jay 37,317]

If the music is good, why does it matter who composed what parts?