I thought that I'd try listing a some of the info that I seem to have acquired over the years about film composers. One is that an increasing number of them are getting their own OFFICIAL WEBSITES, which appears to be a great source for getting info on them and the film music industry in general. So once a week I'll try to list one, or a few, that I've come across. Sometimes they may big names, and others will be folk that you probably never even knew about. Either way, it's my way of sharing and keeping other's informed.
This week I thought that I'd start off with more than one or two, but instead focus on websites dedicated to not only film composers, but ones that also function as some of the top orchestrators in the business.
Enjoy!
~ Scorehead
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• COMPOSERS SITES OF THE WEEK: 9/05/06 - "Orchestrators Turned Composers, Turned Orchestrators, Turned..."
• Chris Boardman -
http://www.chrisboardmanmusic.com/
As the orchestrator for such high profile composers as; Michael Kaman, James Newton Howard, Chris Young, Bruce Broughton, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, Quincy Jones, Thomas, Randy and David Newman and has even been orchestrator for orchestrator William Ross, he is no doubt one the best in the business. His website, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired. The site hasn't been updated in some time (2002? and he's scored at least 3 films since then) and offers barely a glimpse into the many traits of his versatile talents as orchestrator, arranger, producer and composer. His samples page would appear to be adequate enough, showcasing mostly films that his acted on as orchestrator, and only a few where he was the sole composer. But I do recall there being a time when one could load and listen to audio samples, and that feature doesn't seem to work anymore. Click on the image of the films poster and get nothing. A bit of a let down, as it would be nice to get to hear some tunes. Also, for what it's worth, and if you want to contact Boardman, it does have a direct email link, but if one clicks on the "contact" feature on most pages you'll only get a general "info" link - but click on the "Contact" feature on his "NEWS" page and an email address to "Chris" pops up. (For having a website - 1 Star)
• Don Davis -
http://dondavis.filmmusic.com/home.html
One of the more prolithic of orchestrator/composers, Davis has garnered much respect for both hats that he wears. Although it appears to have not been updated in at least a year (fall 2005), his website is pretty standard, with features such as; a Bio/film/discography, an overview of his concert works, pictures of his studio and audio links, which are perry cool, offering ample score samples, much of which has never been released before. Lots of good stuff on that last afore mentioned page, but be sure to check out his unreleased score to the fabulous space film, "Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets" or his all out action score to "Behind Enemy Lines." (Okay site - Audio samples boost it's rating - 2 3/4 Stars)
• Mark McKenzie (NEW SITE!!!) -
http://www.markmckenzie.org/
A new website design for one of the most popular orchestrator/composers in the bussiness. A beautiful site that appears to have been a labor of love, is vastly improved over his original website. It's easy to navigate, has tons of information to peruse (Filmography, Notes, Pictures/Video, Interviews, etc) and even better, plenty of audio samples to McKenzie's work as a composer, with much of it having never been released before on CD. The audio samples come with personal notes by the composer himself, where he gives details on his thoughts and approach to scoring the projects. On this last note, be sure to check out his notes and samples to his enthralling and seasonal score to BLIZZARD -
http://www.markmckenzie.org/blizzard.php?org_comp_id=6 - where he recants his personal thoughts on composing the music and also sentimentally recalls remarks made by Jerry Goldsmith at the time. In all, it would be great if more composers would follow McKEnzie's example here and be so gracious with presenting their talents. (GREAT SITE - 4 Stars!!!!)
• William Ross -
http://www.williamrossmusic.com/
Regrettably, one of the best orchestartor/composers in the industry has a fairly mundane and generic website, that offers nothing more than a one page layout of CD covers to both his commercially released soundtracks and hard to find promotional releases. Appears that he started the site, but didn't finnish it. Only other note to make is that it also has an email link where one can email Ross personally. (For what it could have been, A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT - 0 Stars)
• Lawrence Ashmore -
http://larryashmore.co.uk/
You may have noticed Lawrence's name attached to numerous projects over the years as orchestrator or arranger on over some one 130 films. Truly one of the men behind the men, his collaborations have been with, but aren't limited to; Patrick Doyle (on nearly every film he's done), Basil Poledouris, Laurence Rosenthal, Christopher Young, Rachel Portman, Trevor Jones, Maurice Jarre, Michael Lewis, Howard Blake and even film music titan, D. Tiomkin. His website is fairly bare bones with the usual; Bio, film/tv/stage/concertorgraphy and Stories, but is adequate enough to shine a light on his career contributions and give more than the casual film music fan a glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes of film and theater music. There is also a link for contacting Ashmore personally. (For having a website - 1 1/2Star)
• J.A.C Redford -
http://www.jacredford.com/
J.A.C Redford should be on that list of composers that people infrequently ask "Whatever happened to...?" Occasionally scoring a film here and there, Redford seems to be more comfortable in the concert hall these days or engaging in music of a religious nature, or doing orchestrations for James Horner, amongst others. His site is well put together and easy to navigate, full of the usual content; Bio, film/concert/discography, plenty of audio samples and a link to his store where one can buy sheet music or his music and CDs to concert works and soundtracks, even some that are hard to find promotional discs to scores otherwise unreleased. Here you can also purchase ( an autographed copy of ) Redford's marvelous book titled "A Composer's Journey," which details his career as a composer and his religious journey as guide (“ While music is a wonderful gift, it makes a very poor god. It can sing of redemption, but it can’t provide it.â€
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
