Spiderwick Chronicles
I have been playing principal flute for composer James Horner for the past several years, and recently worked on the soon-to-be-released (February 15) "Spiderwick Chronicles".
James' scores are always
beautiful, and this is one of his best. Sadly, the excellent Todd AO
recording stage at the CBS lot in Studio City has been closed, and
this was one of the last motion pictures to be scored there. CBS
needed the space, as they have moved all their productions to that
lot; we all hope that James will find a way to keep recording in Los
Angeles, as he loves his orchestra here; but this was his favorite
stage, so nothing is guaranteed (he also loves Abbey Road Studio in
London).
Nostalgia in Corcovado
There are a great number of fantastic musicians in Los Angeles, and it
is my great good fortune to be able to work with many of them. One is
jazz/classical pianist and composer Bill Cunliffe, and as a member of
the group Trimotif, I recently recorded his three movement suite
"Nostalgia in Corcovado" with Bill, piano; Phoebe Ray, bassoon; and
Chris Bleth, oboe-- plus Bill's fantastic rhythm section.
Check out www.Trimotif.com for more info.
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The photo above is from the December 9 performance of the Christopher
Rouse Flute Concerto, which was a great success.
It is a huge piece,
25 minutes long, and full of Gaelic passion and excitement. Of
course, as soon as my granddaughter Sierra joined me on stage, she
completely stole the show!
At any rate, Alan Gross and the Santa
Monica Symphony provided terrific support-- we closed the concert
with Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony, which was also a pleasure.
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra concert recently featured
the Shostakovich/Barshai Chamber Symphony, a brilliantly orchestrated
version of his 4th String Quartet by Shostakovich's friend and
colleague.
Also featured was the Prokofiev 2nd Violin Concerto,
performed by the virtuoso violinist Chee-Yun. Jeffrey Kahane
conducted-- his repertoire is ever expanding, and his current tenure
as conductor and music director of the Colorado Symphony adds to his
stature.
Jeff will complete his cycle of all (!) the Mozart Piano Concerti on February 10 at Royce Hall, UCLA. His illness last season caused him
to delay completing the project.
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The Bel Arts Trio CD (D. Shostac, flute; John Walz, cello; and James Smith, guitar) is available on iTunes, remastered for a very clear and brilliant sound by Marty Krystall;
Also, the same for "Matrix", the fusion band which was way ahead of its time in 1973, also remastered and featuring David Shostac, flutes and saxes; Jack Grassel, guitars; Dennis Klopfer, keyboards; David Phillips, basses; and Andy DoLuca, drums and percussion.
I have been extremely fortunate to perform with the great players on both these recordings. - David
Four of davids CDs are now also available on iTunes.
You can search under 'shostac' at http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/
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Space Chimps
I'm also having the pleasure this week of playing on a film scored by a young and gifted composer, Chris P. Bacon (really!). It's his first
feature, and I'm sure it will be the first of many to come. This one is an animated film called "Space Chimps"
In memory of Luella Howard
We recently lost a legendary flutist and teacher, Luella Howard,
principal flutist at 20th Century Fox for many years, and who "brought
me up" on the flute. I wrote a tribute to her memory in the January
issue of "Overture", the monthly publication of the Musicians' Union
Local 47.
It is good for the younger musicians who are not familiar
with that generation to be aware of where much of the present
knowledge and training came from. |
A few movie scores David worked on are:
Space Chimps
Some past movies include:
Pirates of the Caribbean - at the Edge of the World; Blades of Glory; and Spiderman III
Dodgeball, Little Black Book, Paycheck, Electra,Flight Plan
"Troy", "Van Helsing", "Dodgeball",
"Sleepover", "I, Robot".
"Radio", "The Missing", "Cheaper by the Dozen" (Steve Martin)," Gigli" (oh, well...), "The House of Sand and Fog".
"Haunted Mansion", "Brother Bear", and others. "Terminator 3", "Anger Management" "Down with Love","Finding Nemo", "Mystic River".
"Sweet November", "Heart Breakers", "The Glass House", A.I.; Atlantis; Evolution; Cats and Dogs; Monsters Inc.; The Glass House;Pearl Harbor; Josie and the Pussycats ,The Mermaid
Chronicles (a creepy HBO special featuring flute and other solo instruments).
Neil Diamond's last CD.
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David answers a
series of Interview style questions which included questions
on his Career, Family and Mentors and
which included advice
to budding professional musicians amongst others.
Click Here
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Subject: Double Tongue
One student hadn't learned how to double tongue. He is now an expert. Click here for Davids advice
Subject: Re: how to overcome performance nerves?
Do you know how to overcome the nervousness? Every time when I face to the audience
or the judges, I cannot play well....
Click here for more
A while back, David answered some young learners questions
after a Chamber Orchestra 'Meet
The Music Concert' .
For the questions and David's answers click
here.
About five years ago, David answered some students,questions
to Taiwan Flute Academic Society.
Read
the Q&A series here |
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