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Academy Award Winners 2011
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) have announced the winners of the 84th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film in 2011.
In the Best Original Score category French composer Ludovic Bource won the award for his score for the silent film The Artist. In his acceptance speech, Bource said:
“Wow. I want to pay, first of all, tribute for the power of the music, and I want to thank you and pay tribute to my co-nominees, Mr. Williams, Mr. Shore and Mr. Iglesias. Hans Zimmer is downstairs, he refused to submit this year, so I thank you charity Hans Zimmer, I don’t know if you can see. Thank you to all the musicians tonight, it’s a wonderful show. Can I have ten second more, Hans? Sorry, I have a little speech. I’d like to thank the Academy for this Oscar. You have given a man a special honor. To all of you, please accept me, because I have got so much love to give. I’ve got so much love to give to you. My wife Sara is there {speaks French}, thank you for all. Thank you Michel [Hazanavicius].”
The other nominees were Alberto Iglesias for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Howard Shore for Hugo, John Williams for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, and John Williams again for War Horse.
In the Best Original Song category, the winners was New Zealand-born musician Bret McKenzie from the musical comedy group Flight of the Conchords for the song “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets.
The other nominees were Sérgio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown and Siedah Garrett for “Real in Rio” from Rio.
IFMCA Award Winners 2011
JOHN WILLIAMS WINS FIVE AWARDS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FILM MUSIC CRITICS INCLUDING SCORE OF THE YEAR FOR “WAR HORSE”
The International Film Music Critics Association announces the winners of its eighth annual awards for excellence in musical scoring in 2011 with John Williams’ score for Steven Spielberg’s WAR HORSE topping the list, winning Film Score of the Year, Best Score for a Drama Film and Individual Cue for “The Homecoming.” Williams also wins Composer of the Year and Best Score for an Animated Film for THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN. French composer Ludovic Bource wins Breakout Composer of the Year for his score to THE ARTIST.
Cliff Martinez wins Best Score for an Action/Adventure/Thriller Film for Nicolas Winding Refn’s DRIVE. Best Score for a Comedy Film is given to THE RUM DIARY by Christopher Young. Michael Giacchino wins his 11th career award for JJ Abrams’ SUPER 8 in the Best Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film category. Turkish composer Pinar Toprak wins Best Score for a Documentary Film for her score to THE WIND GODS.
In the non-film categories, Arnau Bataller wins Best Score for a Television Series for the Spanish telenovela ERMESSENDA. Veteran Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi wins Best Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media for the Level-5 / Studio Ghibli game NI NO KUNI: WRATH OF THE WHITE WITCH.
The Best Archival Release goes to the massive Warner Bros sixteen-disc, retrospective box-set THE DANNY ELFMAN & TIM BURTON 25TH ANNIVERSARY MUSIC BOX, which was housed in a Zoetrope box and included an exclusive historical book. The winner of Best Archival Re-recording goes to conductor William Stromberg and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra for their re-recording of Bernard Herrmanm’s THE BATTLE OF NERETVA and THE NAKED AND THE DEAD. Best Record Label of the Year goes to La-La Land Records, their second win in a row in this category, for such notable 2011 expanded release soundtracks as 1941, SPACE ABOVE AND BEOND, FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY, COMMANDO and STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION COLLECTION VOLUME 1.
The Association is also bestowing a Special Award to SYMPHONY OF HOPE: THE HAITI PROJECT, a benefit recording collaboration between 25 film and TV composers, including John Debney, Christopher Young, Dave Grusin, Marvin Hamlisch, and Christopher Lennertz who produced with Steve Schnur. The recording is available as a download on itunes and Amazon among other outlets with proceeds going to Haiti Earthquake Relief. More information can be found at http://www.haitisymphony.com. Read more…
BAFTA Winners 2011
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have announced the winners of the 65th British Academy Film Awards, honoring the best in film in 2011.
In the Best Original Score category composer Ludovic Bource won the award for his score for the critically acclaimed silent film The Artist. In his acceptance speech, Bource said:
“Sorry, I have no speech! Harvey [Weinstein], you reassured me, I know that after all. But, I have just one word, George Clooney, said always, ‘amazing’, ‘you are amazing guy’, so thank you for this award. It’s an amazing evening for me, I am so proud to receive this BAFTA, so thank you BAFTA. [Addressing Stephen Fry] Your speech was fantastic. Bien sur, thank you so much. I love Britain, and God save the Queen. Thank you so much! ”
The other nominees were Alberto Iglesias for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Howard Shore for Hugo, and John Williams for War Horse.
IFMCA Award Nominations 2011
JOHN WILLIAMS RECEIVES 7 INTERNATIONAL FILM MUSIC CRITICS AWARD NOMINATIONS, INCLUDING TWO FOR FILM SCORE OF THE YEAR
The International Film Music Critics Association announces its list of nominees for excellence in musical scoring in 2011 with veteran composer John Williams leading the field with 7 nods including WAR HORSE (3 nominations) and THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN (3 nominations) for Film Score of the Year. Also nominated in this category are Ludovic Bource’s THE ARTIST (3 nominations), Mark McKenzie’s score to THE GREATEST MIRACLE (2 nominations) and Howard Shore’s HUGO (2 nominations).
Williams is short-listed for Film Composer of the Year along with Bource; last year’s winner, Alexandre Desplat (whose many scores include HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, THE TREE OF LIFE, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, THE IDES OF MARCH, A BETTER LIFE); Michael Giacchino (SUPER 8, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL, 50/50, MONTE CARLO, CARS 2) and Alberto Iglesias (TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, LA PIEL QUE HABITO (THE SKIN I LIVE IN), TAMBIÉN LA LLUVIA, LE MOINE). Read more…
Academy Award Nominations 2011
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) have announced the nominations for the 84th Academy Awards, honoring the best in film in 2011.
In the Best Original Score category, the nominees are:
- LUDOVIC BOURCE for The Artist
- ALBERTO IGLESIAS for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
- HOWARD SHORE for Hugo
- JOHN WILLIAMS for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
- JOHN WILLIAMS for War Horse
This is the first Oscar nomination Ludovic Bource, who won the Golden Globe for his score for The Artist earlier in the season. This is the 3rd Oscar nomination for Iglesias, the 4th nomination for Shore, who previously won for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001 and for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003, and the 46th and 47th Oscar nomination for Williams, who previously won in 1971 for Fiddler on the Roof, 1975 for Jaws, 1977 for Star Wars, 1982 for E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and 1993 for Schindler’s List..
In the Best Original Song category, the nominees are:
- BRET McKENZIE for “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets
- SÉRGIO MENDES, CARLINHOS BROWN and SIEDAH GARRETT for “Real in Rio” from Rio
The winners of the 84th Academy Awards will be announced on February 26, 2012.
BAFTA Nominations 2011
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the nominations for the 65th British Academy Film Awards, honoring the best in film in 2011.
In the Best Original Music category, which is named in memory of the film director Anthony Asquith, the nominees are:
- LUDOVIC BOURCE for The Artist
- ALBERTO IGLESIAS for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
- TRENT REZNOR and ATTICUS ROSS for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
- HOWARD SHORE for Hugo
- JOHN WILLIAMS for War Horse
These are the first BAFTA nominations for Bource, Reznor and Ross. It is the 3rd BAFTA nomination for Iglesias, the 6th BAFTA nomination for Shore, and the 13th nomination for Williams, who has won on seven previous occasions: for Jaws in 1975, Star Wars in 1977, The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in 1983, Empire of the Sun in 1987, Schindler’s List in 1993, and Memoirs of a Geisha in 2006.
The winners of the 65th BAFTA Awards will be announced on February 12, 2012.
Golden Globe Winners 2011
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) have announced the winners of the 69th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and American television of 2011.
In the Best Original Score category French composer Ludovic Bource won the award for his score for critically acclaimed silent film The Artist. In his acceptance speech, Bource said:
“I’m sorry, I’m French! Too much emotion for me tonight. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this incredible honor. I’m better with music than words. Right now, if I were to write a song it would be a tap dance number. So, the power of the music is universal. The gift of the silent film, The Artist, is also universal. So, thank you Michel [Hazanavicius] for the greatest opportunity and partnership a composer could wish for. Thank you to Bérénice [Bejo], Jean [Dujardin], and the incredible ensemble cast and crew on The Artist, thank you so much. I would also like to thank Thomas Langmann, Bob and Harvey [Weinstein], my family who is watching at home in Paris, and my agent Amos [Newman]. Thamk you! ”
The other nominees were Abel Korzeniowski for W.E., Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Howard Shore for Hugo, and John Williams for War Horse.
In the Best Original Song category, the winners were Madonna, Julie Frost and Jimmy Harry for “Masterpiece” from W.E., the film about Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson that Madonna directed.
The other nominees were Brian Byrne and Glenn Close for “Lay Your Head Down” from Albert Nobbs; Chris Cornell for “The Keeper” from Machine Gun Preacher; Elton John and Bernie Taupin for “Hello Hello” from Gnomeo and Juliet; and Thomas Newman, Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason Jr., and Damon Thomas for “The Living Proof” from The Help.
Golden Globe Nominations 2011
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) have announced the nominations for the 69th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and American television of 2011.
In the Best Original Score category, the nominees are:
- LUDOVIC BOURCE for The Artist
- ABEL KORZENIOWSKI for W.E.
- TRENT REZNOR and ATTICUS ROSS for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
- HOWARD SHORE for Hugo
- JOHN WILLIAMS for War Horse
This is the first major film music award nomination for Ludovic Bource. Korzeniowski was previously nominated for a Globe in 2006 for A Single Man. It is the 2nd nomination for Reznor and Ross, who won the Globe in 2010 for The Social Network, the 6th nomination for Shore, who previously won Globes for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003 and The Aviator in 2004, and the 22nd nomination for Williams, who previously won Globes in 1975 for Jaws, 1977 for Star Wars, 1982 for E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and 2005 for Memoirs of a Geisha..
In the Best Original Song category, the nominees are:
- BRIAN BYRNE and GLENN CLOSE for “Lay Your Head Down” from Albert Nobbs
- CHRIS CORNELL for “The Keeper” from Machine Gun Preacher
- ELTON JOHN and BERNIE TAUPIN for “Hello Hello” from Gnomeo and Juliet
- MADONNA, JULIE FROST and JIMMY HARRY for “Masterpiece” from W.E.
- THOMAS NEWMAN, MARY J. BLIGE, HARVEY MASON, Jr., and DAMON THOMAS for “The Living Proof” from The Help
The winners of the 69th Golden Globe Awards will be announced on January 15, 2012.
Craig Lysy accepted to IFMCA
It is with great pleasure that I announce that my friend and colleague, and master Golden Age expert for Movie Music UK, Craig Richard Lysy, has been accepted as a new member of the International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA), and will be eligible to vote for the upcoming 2011 IFMCA Awards, and beyond. Craig has been an invaluable asset to the site since joining a year ago, expanding the site’s reach in terms of Golden and Silver Age coverage and reviews, and providing a more balanced outlook for the site, which had previously concentrated on only newer material.
Congratulations, Craig, and welcome to the club!
Movie Music UK presents the Greatest Scores of the Twentieth Century
A new series by Craig Lysy
As part of Movie Music UK’s tradition of innovation, I have decided launch a new series charting the Greatest Scores of the Twentieth Century. I had always wanted to undertake this daunting challenge, and after 35 years of procrastination, finally summoned up the resolve and courage necessary to bring it to fruition. So, every Monday, over the course of the next several years, I will list my choices for the Greatest Scores of the Twentieth Century, initially in reverse chronological order, but thereafter with a little more leeway in terms of timing.
In regards to rankings, I was not successful after numerous attempts to listen them in order of merit. Ranking these scores would seem to be an exercise in futility, so instead, I have chosen with this series to take you on a journey through time. I will relate to you why I believe each score merits inclusion, and my hope is to provide an insightful and enjoyable journey.
I believe simplicity of criteria was needed to be successful. Firstly, the score must have achieved a masterful synergy with the story’s imagery, characters, setting and narrative, which served to elevate the film. Secondly, the score must have provided an exceptional and memorable listening experience within both film context and as a CD/MP3. Finally, the score must have made an indelible and lasting impression due to its creativity, innovation, sophistication, or thematic beauty.
I freely admit that this is but one man’s opinion, that I like everyone has certain biases, and that these manifest in my choices. But we must be authentic, and true to ourselves. So I offer my voice to the chorus of voices that have preceded me, and hope to achieve some degree of consonance.
All the best!
A Symphony of Hope: The Haiti Project
Last Saturday, March 26th, I had the honor attending the recording sessions for “A Symphony of Hope: The Haiti Project” at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA. The brainchild of composer Christopher Lennertz, the Symphony is musical fundraising project designed to help the people of Haiti in their desperate time of need.
A year after the terrible earthquake which destroyed the lives of thousands of Haitians, it was clear to Lennertz that the need for assistance was greater than ever. In response Lennertz came up with the idea of the “Symphony of Hope”, and invited 25 leading film composers to collaborate with him on a project to benefit the Haiti Earthquake Relief fund. Read more…
Movie Music UK Awards 2010
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Read more…
SCL Oscar Nominees Reception
On Saturday, February 26th I had the honor of attending a champagne reception to recognize the achievements of the music nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards. The event was organized by the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) and held at the home of the Emmy-nominated composer John Cacavas in Beverly Hills.
The six nominees for Best Original Score – Alexandre Desplat (The King’s Speech), John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon), A.R. Rahman (127 Hours), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network) and Hans Zimmer (Inception) – were all in attendance, as were Best Original Song nominees Alan Menken and Glenn Slater (Tangled), and Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey (Country Strong).
In a brief presentation, SCL President Dan Foliart, SCL First Vice President Arthur Hamilton and SCL Director Charles Bernstein congratulated each nominee on their Oscar nomination, and paid tribute to their work in furthering the art of film music during 2010. During the tribute, respects were also paid to the late John Barry, and long-time film music publicist Ronni Chasen, who was tragically murdered in November 2010. Read more…
Academy Award Winners 2010
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) have announced the winners of the 83rd Academy Awards, honoring the best in film in 2010.
In the Best Original Score category Trent Reznor, front man of the rock group Nine Inch Nails, and composer Atticus Ross, won the award for their score for the Facebook-themed drama The Social Network. In his acceptance speech, Reznor said:
“Wow. Is this really happening? When we finished work on The Social Network we were very proud of our work and happy to just be involved in this film, and to be standing up here in this company is humbling and flattering beyond words. I’d like to especially thank the Academy for recognizing our work here, and David Fincher… David Fincher, yeah. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I’d also like to thank my wonderful wife Mariqueen, I love you so much”.
Ross continued:
“Time’s nearly out, so I’ve got to improvise a little. David, everyone who brought the film to life, thank you so much. Trent, I think you’re a genius. A great friend, and a genius. My wonderful wife Claudia, and our three children, I love you. Thank you.”
The other nominees were Alexandre Desplat for The King’s Speech, John Powell for How to Train Your Dragon, A.R. Rahman for 127 Hours, and Hans Zimmer for Inception.
In the Best Original Song category, composer/songwriter Randy Newman won his second Oscar for We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3.
The other nominees were Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey for “Coming Home” from Country Strong; Alan Menken and Glenn Slater for “I See The Light” from Tangled; and A.R. Rahman, Dido Armstrong and Rollo Armstrong for “If I Rise” from 127 Hours.
IFMCA Award Winners 2010
JOHN POWELL’S HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON IS NAMED INTERNATIONAL FILM MUSIC CRITICS’ 2010 FILM SCORE OF THE YEAR
The International Film Music Critics Association announces the winners of its seventh annual awards for excellence in musical scoring in 2010 with John Powell’s score for the animated film HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON topping the list, winning both Film Score of the Year and Best Score for an Animated Film. Alexandre Desplat receives three awards: Best Score for a Drama Film (THE KING’S SPEECH), Best Score for an Action/Adventure/Thriller Film (THE GHOST WRITER) and Composer of the Year.
Continuing their tradition to highlight lesser known but vital world talents, the Association awards the Breakout Composer of the Year to Portuguese composer Nuno Malo for AMÁLIA. Turkish composer Pinar Toprak wins Best Score for a Comedy Film for her score to the THE LIGHTKEEPERS. Rounding out the film categories are Best Score to a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film which goes to TRON: LEGACY by the French duo Daft Punk, Best Score for a Documentary Film winner is French composer Bruno Coulais for OCÉANS and American Danny Elfman’s “Alice Theme” from ALICE IN WONDERLAND wins Best Individual Composition.
In the non-film category, Bear McCreary wins his second award in a row in the Best Score for a Television Series, this year for Fox’s drama HUMAN TARGET (McCreary won last year for BATTLESTAR: GALACTICA). Kojima Productions’ CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW, with music by Óscar Araujo, wins Best Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media.
The Best Archival Release goes to the six-disc box set release of Alex North’s score to Stanley Kubrick’s SPARTACUS, which was Varèse Sarabande’s executive producer Robert Townson’s 1000th release for the label. Best Record Label of the Year goes to La-La Land Records, their first win in this category, for such notable 2010 expanded release soundtracks as BATMAN RETURNS, DRAGONSLAYER, PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO and HOME ALONE. Read more…
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