sign in sign up
<<
Home , Angelo Badalamenti, Christopher Willits, Dario Marianelli, Fennesz, Film Fest Gent, Francis Lai

‘I don’t know whether music can enhance a film or For those films and many more Japanese titles that Knowing Sakamoto’s admiration for frequent not,’ was ’s answer to a question did not get released in the West, the 64-year-old Hitchcock collaborator (he in a 2004 survey of Sight and Sound about the Sakamoto conceived a unique approach of film called Herrmann’s Psycho “one of the few relationship between music and film. One thing scoring: a blend of splendid melodies, exceptions when film music reaches the quality RYUICHI SAKAMOTO is certain: his scores certainly enhance the films work, traditional orchestral music, drum tracks, of ‘pure music’ such as Bach, Mozart, Brahms or they are made for. One has only to think of the sound effects and unusual musical colours. Out of Bartok”), no wonder asked him magnificent for Merry Christmas Mr. his striking contrast of musical styles and cultures, for the music for Snake Eyes. As Jerry McCulley MUSIC FOR FILM Lawrence (1983), his first major score with which he created standout scores that will never stop to testifies, the result was brilliant: “Sakamoto does he burst onto the international scene. fascinate and enchant us. a truly amazing Benny impression, cranking the brass and swirling strings into an unsettling Sakamoto was already a celebrated pioneer in This CD offers the first compilation of Sakamoto’s sonic maelstrom that would’ve done late ‘50s and composer/pianist/singer contribution to the art of the film music. From Merry Hitch proud.” Most amazing in Femme Fatale, in when he was asked by Christmas, Mr. Lawrence there’s the haunting Sakamoto’s next collaboration with De Palma is not only to write the music but also to star in the main theme that manages simultaneously to be his playful pastiche on Ravel’s Bolero, teasingly film alongside as a prisoner who Japanese and western, an idea that’s central to titled Bolerish and dictating the obsessive rhythm hypnotizes Sakamoto’s Japanese prisoner-of-war the tension of the film’s story. of the opening sequence, a jewel heist at the camp commandant. . Sakamoto calls each film he did with Bertolucci ‘a Ever since, his work for leading Japanese and big journey’, and rightly so. For the intimate epic The Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s wilderness survival international directors revealed him as one of , Sakamoto’s score blends Chinese true story The Revenant (2015), provides the most most inventive film composers of our time. The gestures with accessible melodies, “his music recent track on the album, marking Sakamoto’s list of major directors Sakamoto worked with is characterizing the opulence, mystery and ultimate triumphant comeback after he survived throat impressive: Oshima again for (1999); sadness of the emperor’s life. “(VideoHound’s cancer. The Mexican director already used two the veteran Japanese director for Soundtrack). For The Sheltering Sky, based on pieces of Sakamoto’s music for his filmBabel Nagasaki: Memories of My Son (2015); Takashi Paul Bowles’ 1949 novel, “Sakamoto wrote a rich, (2006), one of them, the melancholic Bibo No Miike for Ichimei (Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai, profusely emotive score, reflecting the emotional Aozora, is also included on this album. For The 2011); for The Last Emperor journey of the two characters, and the slow Revenant, Sakamoto composed new ambient (1987; in which Sakamoto also acted and for disintegration of their love story.” For music that’s simultaneously subdued, low-key and which he won an Academy Award for Best the composer “integrates a standard Hollywood- emotionally powerful. Original Score), The Sheltering Sky (1990) style film underscore with several Indian motifs.” and Little Buddha (1993); Brian De Palma for Whoever doubts Sakamoto’s status as one of Snake Eyes (1998) and Femme Fatale (2002); A seldom mentioned score of Sakamoto is his one the greatest living musicians and film composers, Pedro Almodovar for High Heels (1991); Volker time collaboration with Spanish director Pedro won’t anymore after listening to this CD. Schlöndorff for the Handmaid’s Tale (1990); Almodovar for High Heels. The result is certainly , in his capacity as producer, for the flavourful, relying on the sounds of a flamenco Patrick Duynslaegher miniseries Wild Palms (1993). guitar to provide an occasional exotic colour. Artistic Director 01 Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983) 08 Snake Eyes (1998) Main Theme 06:02 Main Theme (long version) 05:26 KAB America, Inc [Sony/ATV Music Publishing] Universal Music Publishing

02 The Last Emperor (1987) 09 Femme Fatale (2002) Endroll 08:03 Bolerisch 0 6 :11 The (Prod) Ltd. / SM Publishing KAB America, Inc [Sony/ATV Music Publishing]

03 The Last Emperor (1987) 10 Babel (2006) Rain 04:16 Bibo No Aozora 06:28 The Recorded Picture Company (Prod) Ltd. / SM Publishing KAB America, Inc [Sony/ATV Music Publishing]

04 The Sheltering Sky (1990) 11 Hara-Kiri (Ichimei) (2011) Main Theme 06:26 Small Hope 05:00 The Recorded Picture Company (Prod) Ltd. / Copyright Administration Services KAB America, Inc [Sony/ATV Music Publishing]

05 High Heels (1991) 12 Yae No Sakura (2013) Main Theme 03:08 Opening Theme 03:02 KAB America, Inc [Sony/ATV Music Publishing] Japan Broadcast Publishing Co. [Sony/ATV Music Publishing]

06 Wild Palms (1993) 13 The Revenant (2015) Main Theme 02:31 Main Theme 03:07 American Broadcasting Music Inc (BMG Rights Management) New Regency Music [EMI Music Publishing (New Regency Productions)]

07 Little Buddha (1995) Acceptance 08:49 KAB America, Inc [Sony/ATV Music Publishing] RYUICHI SAKAMOTO - BIOGRAPHY As I looked at the list of people who have received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Film Festival, I became bewildered. I am not a As composer, performer, producer, and David Bowie, , dramatist Robert break of his career upon his diagnosis with composer who specializes in film , environmentalist, few artists have as diverse Wilson, author William S Burroughs, and His throat cancer. Thanks to rest and excellent nor have I worked on many films in the past — a résumé and fan base as that of Ryuichi Holiness The Dalai Lama among many others. medical care, friends, family, and fans were I’ve only done a handful of American films. I don’t Sakamoto. Sakamoto’s work has spanned vast He also wrote music for the 1992 Olympic able to witness his return in just over a year, consider myself a proper soundtrack composer. musical territories, from pioneering electronic Games in Barcelona and the 400th anniversary and he closed 2015 completing two film music as a member of Yellow Magic of the city of Mannheim, . scores including the score for Alejandro Looking back; however, it was the late Nagisa to crafting globally inspired rock albums, González Iñárritu’s Academy Award- Oshima who guided me down this path. I was classical compositions, a stretch of minimal/ Since the mid-1990s, Sakamoto has devoted winning The Revenant. an amateur at the time, for I had never composed collaborations, and over thirty much of his time to environmental and anti-war music for films before then. That is who Oshima film scores. His work has been recognized with causes. His 1999 opera LIFE explored 20th While continuing to score films — a process had entrusted with the music for his magnum accolades including an Academy Award, two century twin dynamics of WAR and Massacre, he finds uniquely challenging and exciting, opus — the film he spent five years producing Golden Globes, a Grammy, the Order of the Science and Technology, ending on the hopeful in contrast to the “very intimate, closed after mortgaging even his own home. He did not Cavaleiro Admissão from the government of note of Salvation. 2006 saw Sakamoto launch universe” of his solo compositions — his comment on the content of the music either and , and the coveted Ordre des Arts et des Stop Rokkasho, a campaign to halt construction recent work includes collaborations with gave me complete creative freedom. I’ve never Lettres from the government of . on a nuclear processing facility in the north of electronic artists Alva Noto, Christian had such luxury in any other film I have worked Japan. In 2007 he founded the eco-initiative , , and Taylor on since. What a human being, I don’t think I Born in , as a child Sakamoto began more-trees, which contributes to offsetting Deupree. In contrast with the pop sounds could ever be as as he was. And again, taking lessons at 3. An early admirer of carbon emissions through active forestation. that launched him into the world stage, it was Maestro Oshima who introduced me to Beethoven, he soon afterwards fell under the Since 3/11 in Japan, Sakamoto has been a Sakamoto has increasingly focused on Maestro Bertolucci amidst the chaos of Cannes. spell of English rock — the first record he ever strong voice of support and help for the victims of the significance of wordless music; in If I have what people call talent, it would be the bought was “Tell Me” by — the earthquake, tsunami, and the anthropogenic responding to the consumerism of the talent of being very fortunate. That is what gave and then French Impressionism. “Debussy was nuclear in Fukushima. He launched 21st century, his politically conscious me all of the wonderful opportunities to work my hero,” he says, acknowledging that echoes the charity organizations kizunaworld, LIFE311, dynamism has cemented his reputation as with filmmakers that I could only have dreamt of of his teenage idol can still be heard in his Tohoku Youth Orchestra, and organized a a renaissance man. working with. new music. “Asian music heavily influenced two-day music event, NO NUKES 2012, that Debussy, and Debussy heavily influenced me. included many well-known Japanese artists as The reason I am here today is because of all So the music goes around the world and comes well as and Germany’s of the irreplaceable and talented people who I full circle.” Following channels of culture and . These efforts were aimed at raising had the fortune of meeting. I cannot thank them history around the globe, Sakamoto has written awareness of the unnecessary dangers nuclear enough. music inspired by the traditions of Okinawa, energy has introduced. Indonesia, and Brazil, while collaborating with In 2014, Sakamoto was forced to take the first major Ryuichi Sakamoto DIRK BROSSÉ - COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC

Dirk Brossé is a multi-faceted composer and Van Acker Prize, the Joseph Plateau Honorary The Brussels Philharmonic was founded in 1935 international reputation in film music. For the a respected conductor on the international Award and the Global Thinkers Forum Award by the Belgian public broadcaster (NIR/INR). performance and recording of soundtracks it music scene. Since 2010 Music Director of for Excellence in Cultural Creativity. In 2013 Over the years, the orchestra has performed regularly partners with Galaxy Studios and Film ‘The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’ and he was elevated to ’s hereditary nobility, with many top conductors and soloists. It enjoys Fest Gent. International recognition has come, Music director of Film Fest Ghent. Dirk Brossé with the personal title of Knight. an excellent reputation for performing premieres among others, in the form of the Oscar-winning has written some 400 works, including concerti, of new works and has collaborated with score for ‘The Artist’ (music by ). oratorios, lieder, chamber music, symphonic www.dirkbrosse.be world-renowned composers such as Bartók, works, musicals and filmscores. His score for Stravinsky, Messiaen and Francesconi. Along with various partners, the Brussels the BBC/HBO series ‘Parade’s End’ was Philharmonic is working on a number of CD series nominated for an Emmy Award. His score for In 2015, Stéphane Denève takes over the baton which are gaining international acclaim: with Film ‘Knielen’ was nominated for The Golden Calf as musical director. This top French conductor Fest Ghent devoted to great film music composers, Award. Maestro Brossé has conducted all the plans to design his programmes to combine 21st with Radio Klara involving Flemish soloists, with the leading Belgian . He has conducted century music with the great classics, thereby Palazzetto Bru Zane focused on French Romantic over 120 orchestras all over the world such as opening up a dialogue between the repertoire of music, and still another one with its own label, Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera, the past and that of the future. Brussels Philharmonic Recordings, focused on l’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Camerata the great symphonic repertoire. The latest release St Petersburg, Philharmonic, At the international level, the Brussels on the label Deutsche Grammophon covers 21st l’Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon, Philharmonic Philharmonic has made a name for itself, with century music by Guillaume Connesson under Orchestra of Shanghai. regular appearances in the major European the baton of Stéphane Denève and has received capitals (including , London, Berlin, , various prices including a Diapason d’Or and a Dirk Brossé has made more than 80 CD Salzburg). Choc Classica. recordings and has collaborated with world- class artistes such as José Van Dam, Barbara The Brussels Philharmonic has also gained an www.brusselsphilharmonic.be Hendricks, Julia Migenes, Julian Lloyd Webber, Salvatore Accardo, Alison Balsom, , , Randy Crawford, and Marcel Khalifé.

Dirk Brossé has been awarded the title Cultural Ambassador of Flanders, the Flemish Parliament’s Gold Medal for Merit, the Achille BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC MUSICIANS HENRY RAUDALES - CONCERTMASTER SOLOISTS ‘THE LAST EMPEROR’

Conductor Viola Flute Trombone Fang WeiLing (Erhu) Hua Xia (pi-pa) Li-ling Huang (Guzheng) 1 1 3 Dirk Brossé Morgan Huet Lieve Schuermans Lode Smeets Born in , Fang WeiLing, Hua Xia, born in Beijing but living in Li-Ling Huang was born in Taipei, 3 Griet François Eric Mertens Pieter Vandermeiren completed her Erhu studies at Belgium since 1987, is a renowned where she graduated from 3 3 Violin 1 Philippe Allard Maaike Cottyn Tim Van Medegael the Conservatory of Shanghai. Chinese pi-pa and carillon performer. the National Taiwan University 1 Bart Lemmens Stephan Uelpenich During her professorship at the Hua is part of one of the more of Arts, majoring in Chinese 3 Virginie Petit Patricia Van Reusel Oboe Tuba Conservatory of Shangha, Fang influential ensembles in Belgium zither: Guzheng and Guqin. After 1 3 Olivia Bergeot Benjamin Braude Joris Van den Hauwe Jean Xhonneux WeiLing was sent abroad together named ‘Luthomania’. Hua’s carillon- graduation she toured in Japan with Annelies Broeckhoven Phung Ha Maarten Wijnen with other Chinese top-musicians playing has taken him to several a Chinese music ensemble and 3 Stefan Claeys Maryna Lepiasevich Lode Cartrysse Timpani in order to promote Chinese music. countries for carillon concerts, started teaching these instruments 3 Anton Skakun Barbara Peynsaert Gert D’haese In the she performed including Belgium, the Netherlands, at the Shi-jian Technical College. Philippe Tjampens Violoncello Clarinet with the Residentie Orkest, The Germany, France and the USA. In Along with her husband Hua Xia, 1 1 Alissa Vaitsner Karel Steylaerts Eddy Vanoosthuyse Percussion Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, October 2014, Hua even successfully she came to Belgium in 1987 where 3 3 Eva Bobrowska Kirsten Andersen Danny Corstjens Pieter Mellaerts the Storioni Trio and the Nieuw introduced the ‘Carillon’ culture from she started studying and performing 3 3 Cristina Constantinescu Jan Baerts Midori Mori Tom De Cock Ensemble. Belgium and the Netherlands into ‘carillon’, next to performances with Stefanie Van Backlé Barbara Gerarts Tom Pipeleers Beijing in China. various ensembles. Veerle Van Roosbroeck Julius Himmler Bassoon Stijn Schoofs Gillis Veldeman Emmanuel Tondus Karsten Przybyl 1 Elke Wynants Alexander Kuksa Harp Violin 2 Sophie Jomard Jonas Coomans 3 Eline Groslot Mari Hagiwara 1 Double Bass THANKS TO OUR INDIEGOGO BACKERS Olivier Giot 3 Jan Buysschaert 1 Horn Piano/Celesta Caroline Chardonnet Sandor Budai Hans van der Zanden 1 Geert Callaert 3 Valerie Amand Samuel François-Steininger Jean-Marie Mievis Kris Soret BVBA Bruno Linders Simon Luce Francesc Saez Calatayud Erik Brabants 3 Ilse Bakkaus Ilona van Genderen Stort Eleni Mitsiaki Magali Tavier Sun Eléonore Malaboeuf Philippe Stepman Mieke Ailliet 3 Martijn Bal Dirk Gijsemans Miki Nieuwenhuis-Nakamura Fred Torrey Karine Martens Thomas Fiorini Jonathan Rongvaux Tinne Bral Michel Gregoire Adam Neckley Dina Van Damme Sayoko Mundy Daniele Giampaolo Trumpet Brassebel BVBA Chan Hang Pieter-Jan Nuytten Dries Van haver Karel Ingelaere Ward Hoornaert 1 Caroline Cleemput Stephen Hayes Nobuhiko Ogasa Yves Van Hoof Nico Corten Paul van de Heuvel Maria Elena Ortega Jaca Peter Van Camp Aline Janeczek Luc Sirjacques Saunders Cowie Jean-François Houben Gorka Oteiza Ann & Cathy Van de Velde-De Raes Eline Pauwels Philippe Ranallo Tom Craey Filip Houthoofd √ìscar Salazar Pe√±a Roel vb Elizaveta Rybentseva Roberto Cristofaro Emma Huikari Mike Redman Jay Whyatt Fien Van den Fonteyne Franky De Rick Mike Jordan Daniel Romer-Friedman Ph de Witte Wim De Witte Philip Kret Marie Schiettecatte Michael Wolf Jana Dejonghe Toshiaki Kumazawa Mifj88 K A Young Jonas Deryckere Yoshitada Kurakawa Siska en Faris Charles Eggen Andy Lee Natalia Shevchenko Glossary: (1) Principal, (2) Co-Principal, (3) Soloist Jose Luis Equiza Suu Lo Ilse Somers What makes Film Fest Gent unique in the fully “Ghent’s have inspired booked festival calendar is the focus on music clones throughout Europe” (Variety). The approach and the celebration of the film composer, of Film Fest Gent has been very influential and has unfortunately often the forgotten key figure in a great follow-up. Many other festivals started to the artistic and/or commercial success of a film. spend more attention to film music or also started to organize concerts and award composers. Ever since 1982 Film Fest Gent has experienced “However, Ghent can lay claim to having played a growing focus on music in cinema with a pioneering role in this field” (). CREDITS a special section dedicated to music in films. This led to the addition of screenings with live The culmination point of Film Fest Gent’s film musical performances, big film music concerts, music programme is the annual World Soundtrack annual Film Music Seminars and recordings Awards Gala where several awards are distributed Album produced by: Film Fest Assistants: Tobias Hess, Julien expertise and energy • of several CDs. to celebrate outstanding achievements in scoring Gent & Brussels Philharmonic Blumberg and Lukas Weidmann Galaxy Studios: Ralph Broos, music for motion pictures. Each year a major film Under exclusive license to: Mastering Engineer: Tom Van Achte Sian Bolland, Patrick Lemmens Over the years, Film Fest Gent became a meeting music composer is invited to present his work Silva Screen Records Production Manager: Sian Bolland • David Stoner & Hendrik De place for composers such as , during this closing event. Furthermore Film Fest Rycker • Mirek Coutigny • The All music composed by: Introduction: Patrick Duynslaegher entire crew of Film Fest Gent , , Gabriel Gent and partner Brussels Philharmonic record a Ryuichi Sakamoto Yared, , Hans Zimmer, Elmer CD with their music. This year we are honoured to Cover Photography by: Wing Shya Ryuichi Sakamoto wishes to Bernstein, , , be inviting one of the most brilliant composers of Orchestra: Brussels Philharmonic © 2015 Wing Shya thank: Ayane Takahashi, Leen and . his generation, Ryuichi Sakamoto, recipient of the Uytterschaut, Eric Shanfield, World Soundtrack Lifetime Achievement Award. Conductor: Dirk Brossé Film Fest Gent wishes to thank: Juan Contreras, , To consolidate this growing focus on music His best known scores from ‘Merry Christmas Mr. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Norika Sora Dai Fujikura, Tokyo Hustle in cinema, the World Soundtrack Academy Lawrence’, ‘The Last Emperor, ‘Femme Fatale’ Producer: Valerie Dobbelaere & Alec Fellman • Dirk Brossé • Copy Inc. was created in 2001, aiming to offer a strong and many others are collected on this unique and Leen Uytterschaut • Brussels platform for emerging film music talent, through exclusive . Recording, Mix & Mastering: Philharmonic: Günther Broucke, Executive producers for Silva Screen Records Ltd: Reynold D’Silva the presentation of awards, as well as through Galaxy Studios NV Véronique Bossaert, Jim Seynaeve, (www.galaxystudios.com) Judith Van Eeckhout, Nicola Release co-ordination: David Stoner, the development of other promotional activities, Recording Supervisor & Mixing Mascia, the entire crew and all Pete Compton & Rick Clark such as seminars, workshops, master classes, www.filmfestival.be Engineer: Patrick Lemmens musicians for their enthusiasm, Design & Layout: Stuart Ford music events, etc. www.worldsoundtrackawards.com

ⓟ & © 2016 Film Fest Gent & Brussels Philharmonic exclusively licensed to Silva Screen Records Ltd. SILCD1524