FILM FEST GENT: WORLD SOUNDTRACK AWARDS CEREMONY AND CONCERT
Music composed by Laurence Rosenthal and Nicola Piovani
Conducted by Dirk Brosse
Performed by the Brussels Philharmonic
October 21, 2023
Capitole Gent
Gent, Belgium
PART 1: CONCERT REPORT
(this report was originally written on October 21, 2023 – just after the concert)
This time I’ve come to Gent, Belgium for the World Soundtrack Awards to see lifetime achievement awards bestowed on two of my favorite composers, Laurence Rosenthal and Nicola Piovani.
There was no way I was going to miss seeing Rosenthal being honored, especially considering the fact that he is only three weeks away from becoming ninety-seven years old!
After the concert opened with fantastic new music for video games by up-and-coming composers, the Rosenthal program began.
I was immediately transported to my childhood when the familiar strains of “Flight to Mount Olympus” from CLASH OF THE TITANS (original 1981 film) filled the auditorium. This masterful piece, full of courage and adventure, captivated the audience and helped our spirits soar! It was performed to perfection and to these ears sounded identical to the original soundtrack recording.
THE MIRACLE WORKER (1962) came next. Despite the emotional true story it is based on, this score has always creeped me out. The cover of the original liner jacket too! And especially played live to picture as it was last night, I was absolutely terrified. Rosenthal sure knows how to conjure up nightmarish feelings with his music. But he also knows how to expertly score elation… just watch that finale in the film!
After being presented his award by famed soundtrack producer Robert Townson, Rosenthal gave a deeply heartfelt speech, showing deep appreciation to his colleagues, supporters and family over his almost 70-year career in film music.
He stated that this was the best award he had ever received, which received roaring applause and multiple standing ovations from all those in attendance.
Nicola Piovani was the next composer to be honored with a lifetime achievement award, and they opened his section of the concert with one of my favorite themes, LA STANZA DEL FIGLIO (2001).
I have never actually seen this award-winning Italian film so I did not know anything about the story. As they played the theme live to picture, my eyes started to well up. It’s a devastating film about a father that loses his son, and the way he communicates the tragic news to his daughter simply through eye contact is absolutely heartbreaking. I don’t think I can ever listen to this music the same way again.
The English vocal version of one of the secondary themes from LA VITA E BELLA (1997) was gorgeous, with the singer demonstrating incredible range and clarity. Amazing!
Piovani was then presented with his lifetime achievement award.
I was surprised when he broke out into fluent French to thank everyone while entertaining the audience with a fun anecdote about a Belgium/Brazil football game!
The concert ended with a foot-tapping and crowd-pleasing suite from Fellini’s INTERVISTA (1987), a perfect way to end a perfect evening.
PART 2: OTHER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Various other awards were given out during the night with great speeches from Simon Franglen (for “Discovery of the year”) and Volker Bertelmann (for “Composer of the year”).
The first thing Franglen said when he picked up his award was “James, thank you very much” while looking above and raising his award- that “James” being his former collaborator and friend, James Horner, who tragically died in a plane crash in 2015 just as he was going through a career renaissance. It was a very touching moment.
Volker Bertelmann, the Oscar-winning composer of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022), gave a deeply honest and appreciative speech about what got him to where he is.
From talking to him before the concert, he also seems like a genuinely nice person and I sincerely applaud his achievements and success. I’m looking forward to what he does next!
PART 3: MEETING LAURENCE ROSENTHAL
The incredible thing about the World Soundtrack Awards is that they have a casual “Meet and Greet” event with each year’s nominees.
Not wanting to miss this opportunity to meet the legendary Laurence Rosenthal, I duly signed up for the event and showed up with two covers to be signed.
When it came my turn, Rosenthal asked for my name. I said it with its proper French pronunciation and he must have assumed I was French judging by how he signed my album jacket:
As you can imagine, it was a huge honour meeting Laurence Rosenthal, and I will forever be thankful to him, Film Fest Gent and the WSA for this opportunity!
PART 4: ANOTHER CONCERT REPORT
Check out this highly detailed concert report from Soundtrack World!
PART 5: OVER TO YOU
Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?
And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.