Two film music podcasts join forces for two hours to present a discussion of two legendary film composers!
Not long ago, the Ipswich Film Theatre had planned a special event to celebrate the work of composers John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith: a weekend of films highlighting some of the most iconic scores from both composers (Jaws, The Omen, etc.). Due to ongoing lockdown restrictions in the UK, those planned theatrical screenings had to be cancelled. However, the celebration carries on in virtual form with the debut of Score Masters, a new online series devoted to the art of film scoring.
In the first installment of Score Masters, you’ll hear insightful commentary from a truly remarkable panel of experts: Oscar-nominated composer/conductor David Newman, Grammy-winning classical composer/conductor Leonard Slatkin, soundtrack producer Mike Matessino, sound engineer and producer Bruce Botnick, acclaimed pianist/keyboardist Mike Lang, composer Leanna Primiani, and author/writer Jeff Bond.
Additionally, IFT director Daniel Champion brought in a quartet of hosts from two different film music podcasts to moderate the event: Maurizio Caschetto and IFMCA member Tim Burden representing The Legacy of John Williams, along with W. David Lichty and IFMCA member Yavar Moradi from The Goldsmith Odyssey.
Exterior of the Ipswich Film Theatre
Over the course of this two-hour panel, you’ll be treated to a host of personal memories of both composers, along with informative conversation about the similarities and differences between Williams and Goldsmith, the importance of their rich musical training, and much more. Each participant brings something unique to the table – Leonard Slatkin offering personal insight into the behind-the-scenes story of how John Williams began working with the Boston Pops, Mike Lang telling stories about doing improvisational work on Goldsmith’s score for The Russia House, Jeff Bond and Mike Matessino drawing upon their well of historical knowledge to talk about the formative early television work done by both composers – and the end result is an absorbing, educational, entertaining conversation that offers insight from numerous angles.
Score Masters will premiere on YouTube on Monday, February 8th (timed to commemorate Williams’ birthday, shortly preceding Goldsmith’s birthday on February 10th). The full event can be viewed here:
Don’t miss this exciting celebration of two of Hollywood’s greatest film composers!