Oftentimes
we get the pleasure of interviewing guest artists who may pass through town and
stop by the WGUC studios. Sometimes we even get to chat with artists over the
phone about their latest releases! Recently, we had two such incidents: Paavo
Jarvi, when he visited Cincinnati in February to conduct the Cincinnati
Symphony Orchestra; and Avi Avital, a world-class mandolinist who just released
a brand-new recording. During our time with them, they willingly contributed to
our Clef Notes conversation and filled me in on some of their film music
thoughts.
Did
you know that Paavo Jarvi’s favorite film-music composer is Toru Takemitsu?
Maestro Jarvi says that he is the only well-known contemporary Japanese
composer and you’ll find his work in many Kurosawa films. Jarvi also enjoys those film composers who
are more associated with the Romantic generation including Erich Korngold and
Miklos Rozsa. When asked to name a favorite movie that uses pre-existing
classical music, the Maestro mentioned Platoon
(1986) and went on to describe the use of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings during the violent
scenes.
Our
second interviewee was the outstanding mandolinist Avi Avital whose new Vivaldi
CD features transcriptions of Vivaldi works for the mandolin (and of course,
the Vivaldi Mandolin Concerto!) We will be offering this great CD as part of
our spring fund drive at WGUC later this month so be sure to request your copy
when you call 513-419-7155 or go to wguc.org.
Mr.
Avital’s favorite film music composer is John Williams. He also told us that
his favorite use of pre-existing classical music in a movie is in Waltz with Bashir (2008). This film
includes Bach’s Concerto No. 5 in F minor for Harpsichord and Strings, BWV
1056. The second movement sounds during a very violent scene and Avital
describes it as providing contrast that is quite moving—so much that he decided
to record the concerto in its entirety on his Bach album!
What
about you? Do you have a favorite film music composer? What about a favorite
film that uses pre-existing classical music?
