Each year the Academy Awards put the spotlight on composers for the work that plays such a central role in film. Randy Newman and his cousin Thomas Newman come from a family of Hollywood film composers. Both were nominated for Best Original Score and although neither Newman won that category Randy did win for Best Original Song for the song he wrote and sang for Toy Story 4 “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away”
Thomas Newman’s score for 1917 won for best sound mixing.
Eímear Noone made history at the 2020 Academy Awards as the first woman to conduct at the Oscars. The Irish conductor is also a video game music composer. Last year she released the CD Gaming in Symphony, where she conducts themes from popular games like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and World of Warcraft which she also wrote.
Last month Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela won their first Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Mettavolution. Rodrigo is responsible for the dazzling lead guitar while Gabriela creates the rhythms often by slapping the body of her guitar like a dancer uses her heels in flamenco.
The music to the game Journey is a favourite for many video game players. It‘s the story of a lone traveller and their path through life told in the form of a voyage. Composer Austin Wintory describes his music as "like a big cello concerto where you are the soloist and all the rest of the instruments represent the world around you".
Tenor Michael Slattery and early music group la Nef have created the album Dowland in Dublin where they take songs written by John Dowland and give them an Irish feel with the help of a shruti box to back Slattery’s voice.
Music details:
JOHN DUFFEY: Sunrise - Sam Bush, Bela Fleck (SFW 40228)
RANDY NEWMAN: I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away - Randy Newman (Walt Disney Records D003121402)
RANDY NEWMAN: Cowboy Sacrifice - Randy Newman (Walt Disney Records D003121402)
EIMEAR NOONE: The Angel Messenger - Eímear Noone /Danish National Symphony Orch/ Tuva Semmingsen (EUROARTS MUSIC 8024267704)
PETER MCCONELL: Grim Fandango - Eímear Noone and Danish National Symphony Orchestra (EUROARTS MUSIC 8024267704)
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA: Mettavolution - Rodrigo y Gabriela (ATO Records ATO0491)
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA: Diablo Rojo - Rodrigo y Gabriela (RUBYWORKS 561414)
RALPH BLANE: When Did You Leave Heaven - Pokey la Farge (ROUNDER PROMOSOMETHING)
LAFARGE: Wanna be Your Man - Pokey la Farge (ROUNDER PROMOSOMETHING)
WINTORY: Journey: Apotheosis - Austin Wintory (SE-3009-2)
DOWLAND: Sleep Wayward Thoughts - Michael Slattery / La Nef (Atma Classique ACD2 2650)
DOWLAND: Now, O Now I Needs Must Part - Michael Slattery / La Nef (Atma Classique ACD2 2650)
DOWLAND: Come Again, Sweet Love - Michael Slattery / La Nef (Atma Classique ACD2 2650)
THOMAS NEWMAN: Theme from 1917 - Thomas Newman (Sony Classical 19439702762)
THOMAS NEWMAN: The Night Window - Thomas Newman (Sony Classical 19439702762)
