Javier Navarrete
This year at the Oscars there really are two awards I am interested to see who wins.
The first is Mark Whalberg for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance in "The Departed" If you have scene the movie you know what I am talking about, if not, suffice it to say, he stole every scene he was in, and he had scenes with Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, and Dicaprio, at points with all of them at once. Now in a bill with talent so thickly padded you'd think he'd be out shadowed. He even stole the last scene, and he didn't even say a fucking word! Just see the movie if you haven't.
The second award I am watching is Best Original Score. Javier Navarrete for "Pan's Labyrinth" should win hands down. I have yet to see the movie, but when I saw the trailer, there was an intoxicating melody. The "Idee Fixe" you could say, of the entire picture. I couldn't stop humming it. I figured it out on my clarinet. I bought the soundtrack to it on iTunes. I needed this melody. I am even thinking of writing it down, and composing off it, maybe a Theme and Variation or a Concert Band arrangement. The rest of the score is also very aesthetic and thrilling. Good balance of melody and effect. Brass choirs against strings ( A very John Williams technique, but done in a fresh way.) Voice choirs against rushing strings and woodwinds. Nice use of harp. Mystical harmonies (modal). Bass Clarinet solos?! I mean, genius stuff, really. Grand moments leading into more melodious chamber sections. And the best part of the score, beautiful piano parts, played against solo strings.
Maybe having a solid background in European cinema, Mr. Navarrete is just bringing a fresh sound to an otherwise played film music scene here in the US, but I just really like this score. A good mix of sounds, some Williams, some Elfman, some Barry, and even a few older golden age composers, but he mixes so well and puts his own style on it, with some beautiful new techniques. If he doesn't win I will be thoroughly upset.
The first is Mark Whalberg for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance in "The Departed" If you have scene the movie you know what I am talking about, if not, suffice it to say, he stole every scene he was in, and he had scenes with Alec Baldwin, Matt Damon, Martin Sheen, and Dicaprio, at points with all of them at once. Now in a bill with talent so thickly padded you'd think he'd be out shadowed. He even stole the last scene, and he didn't even say a fucking word! Just see the movie if you haven't.
The second award I am watching is Best Original Score. Javier Navarrete for "Pan's Labyrinth" should win hands down. I have yet to see the movie, but when I saw the trailer, there was an intoxicating melody. The "Idee Fixe" you could say, of the entire picture. I couldn't stop humming it. I figured it out on my clarinet. I bought the soundtrack to it on iTunes. I needed this melody. I am even thinking of writing it down, and composing off it, maybe a Theme and Variation or a Concert Band arrangement. The rest of the score is also very aesthetic and thrilling. Good balance of melody and effect. Brass choirs against strings ( A very John Williams technique, but done in a fresh way.) Voice choirs against rushing strings and woodwinds. Nice use of harp. Mystical harmonies (modal). Bass Clarinet solos?! I mean, genius stuff, really. Grand moments leading into more melodious chamber sections. And the best part of the score, beautiful piano parts, played against solo strings.
Maybe having a solid background in European cinema, Mr. Navarrete is just bringing a fresh sound to an otherwise played film music scene here in the US, but I just really like this score. A good mix of sounds, some Williams, some Elfman, some Barry, and even a few older golden age composers, but he mixes so well and puts his own style on it, with some beautiful new techniques. If he doesn't win I will be thoroughly upset.