BMI London Awards honour Tim Rice

Posted on October 14, 2014 by admin

BMI Awards London 2014 Black, Davies, Morrison, Rice x650

By Ray Bennett

Oscar-, Tony- and Grammy-winning lyricist Tim Rice was named a BMI Icon at the BMI London Awards on Oct. 13 with Don Black, Ray Davies, and Van Morrison (pictured above) among the guests. Continue reading →

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Tears and laughter at ASCAP’s London Awards

Posted on October 10, 2014 by admin

ASCAP Awards 2014

By Ray Bennett

Songwriter Jim Duguid, who was named songwriter of the year along with Alex Clare for Clare’s double platinum hit “Too Close”, brought down the house at the 34th Annual ASCAP Awards London gala at Grosvenor House on Oct. 8. Continue reading →

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FILM REVIEW: David Fincher’s ‘Gone Girl’

Posted on October 1, 2014 by admin

Fox 'Gone Girl' x650

By Ray Bennett

Gillian Flynn’s hit crime novel “Gone Girl” is great fun but it turns out the book’s huge plot twist is such a vital part of its enjoyment that many who enjoyed it will find the film a disappointment. Continue reading →

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Synesthesia and the mystery of great film music

Posted on September 30, 2014 by admin

Paris-Texas x650

By Ray Bennett

“Give me music,” says Shakespeare’s Cleopatra. “Music, moody food for us that trade in love.”

Moody food, too, for those who trade in movies. Whether it’s Rupert Everett leading a rousing chorus of “I Say a Little Prayer” in “My Best Friend’s Wedding”, Henry Mancini’s feline tiptoe accompaniment to “The Pink Panther” or Maurice Jarre’s haunting “Lara’s Theme” from “Doctor Zhivago”, music in films has the power to move us as much as, and sometimes more than, the words and pictures. Continue reading →

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Sara Andon wafts away with the Krakow film music fest

Posted on September 29, 2014 by admin

Sara Andon performs ASCAP 100th Krakow FMF 2014

By Ray Bennett

One of the delights of the Krakow Film Music Festival this week has been that guests at the Holiday Inn in the city centre were treated daily to the gorgeous sound of a flute that wafted up from the room of Sara Andon as she practised.

On Sunday night, she showed the fruits of all that practise in the performance of three film music cues at the ASCAP 100th anniversary gala, which closed the festival. They were among the highlights of the night. Continue reading →

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Elliot Goldenthal’s gothic suite rules at ASCAP gala

Posted on September 29, 2014 by admin

Elliot Goldenthal standing ovation Krakow FMF 2014By Ray Bennett

Robin Williams once told me that there are movie stars, “and then there’s Jack”, as in Nicholson. The Krakow Film Music Festival Sunday night showed that there are film composers, and then there’s Elliot, as in Goldenthal.

The Oscar-winning composer created for the festival a stupendous 20-minute piece titled “Grand Gothic Suite” with cues from “Batman Forever” and “Batman and Robin” to be performed during the ASCAP 100th Anniversary closing gala. Continue reading →

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Krakow film music fest celebrates ASCAP’s centennial

Posted on September 29, 2014 by admin

Ascap 100th Krakow FMF 2014

By Ray Bennett

The Krakow Film Music Festival celebrated ASCAP’s 100th anniversary Sunday night with an enthralling concert of movie scores by composers including Patrick Doyle, Elliot Goldenthal, Dario Marianelli and Hans Zimmer, who were all on hand for the party. Continue reading →

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Live ‘Gladiator’ performance wows Krakow festival audience

Posted on September 28, 2014 by admin

'Gladiator' KrajowFMF 2014

By Ray Bennett

Composer Hans Zimmer was on hand last night for a screening of “Gladiator” accompanied by full orchestra and chorus at the 7th annual Krakow Film Music Festival. Continue reading →

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When Hans Zimmer worried about a gladiator’s kiss

Posted on September 27, 2014 by admin

Universal Blu-ray Gladiator x650

By Ray Bennett

Hans Zimmer will relax tonight at the Krakow Film Music Festival where a live orchestra will play his and Lisa Gerrard’s score at a screening of “Gladiator” but I recall a winter’s day in London almost 15 years ago when the celebrated film composer was not so relaxed.

He was worried about a kiss. Continue reading →

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James Bond music at the Krakow Film Music Festival

Posted on September 27, 2014 by admin

007 Concert Krakow 2014

By Ray Bennett

Spanish conductor Diego Navarro brought his “The Best of James Bond” concert programme to the Krakow Film Music Festival Friday night as he led the Krakow Philharmonic Orchestra and a roster of mostly Polish singers through songs and cues from the 007 movies. Continue reading →

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