Alexandre Desplat: An Eclectic Film Music Composer
Music and cinema aficionados alert! On 20 and 21 June, HK Phil will delight Hong Kong with the film music of revered composer Alexandre Desplat, under the baton of Solrey, who has been collaborating with Desplat since 1990s: The Film Music of Alexandre Desplat.
A passionate cinephile, French composer Alexandre Desplat has carved a niche for himself in the world of film music with his distinctive style and innovative soundscapes. He has composed original scores for over 130 films, earning numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, three BAFTAs, three César Awards, two Golden Globes and two GRAMMY Awards, among many other nominations. He has collaborated with many movie directors, such as Jacques Audiard, Wes Anderson, Kathryn Bigelow, George Clooney, David Fincher, Stephen Frears, Greta Gerwig, Ang Lee, Terence Malick, Roman Polanski and Guillermo del Toro.
Born in 1961 in Paris, Desplat’s early life was steeped in music. His father was a French jazz musician, while his Greek mother introduced him to the rich traditions of her homeland. This blend of cultures played a pivotal role in shaping Desplat’s musical identity. He started playing the piano at 5 and began composing shortly after.
Alexandre Desplat and Jacques Audiard
Desplat’s influences range from classical composers like Debussy and Ravel to modern film composers such as Ennio Morricone and John Williams. This eclectic mix is a signature on his scores, which often feature lush orchestrations, intricate melodies and a keen sense of rhythm. What sets Desplat apart is his ability to create immersive soundscapes that enhance the narrative of the films he scores. His music often features a combination of traditional orchestration and modern elements, incorporating instruments from various cultures, such as the oud and sitar.
After scoring about fifty European films with French directors like Philippe de Broca, Francis Girod and Jacques Audiard, Desplat emerged in Hollywood with his evocative score for Girl with a Pearl Earring in 2003. Since then, he has become one of the most prolific film composers in the industry, having created the enticing sound worlds for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Godzilla (2014) and The Shape of Water (2017), among others.
Wes Anderson and Alexandre Desplat, 2021
An important collaborator of Wes Anderson, Desplat’s whimsical scores for Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and The French Dispatch (2021) have delighted audiences and music lovers alike. His ability to blend playful melodies with rich orchestration adds a unique charm to Anderson’s films, creating memorable sensory experiences.
As a conductor of his own compositions, Desplat has collaborated with prestigious orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He has performed in esteemed venues such as the Barbican, Wiener Musikverein, and Paris Philharmonie.
Alexandre Desplat and Solrey
Desplat has been working with director and musician Solrey since 1990s. Their collaboration represents a unique intersection of film music and theatrical performance. This partnership has also allowed Desplat to expand his artistic reach beyond traditional film scoring into the realm of opera and dance.
On 20 and 21 June, Solrey will conduct the concerts with HK Phil orchestra including the music of the films Godzilla; The Ghost Writer; Girl with a Pearl Earring; The King’s Speech; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Wes Anderson’s movies; Un héros très discret; The Imitation Game; Birth; Lust, Caution; The Shape of Water; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Details of the concerts can be found here: The Film Music of Alexandre Desplat