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Roger Kalia: What was the inspiration and story behind your Jerry Goldsmith Medley? How has he influenced you as a composer?
Austin Wintory: This came about as a result of the Golden State Pops Orchestra doing an all-Goldsmith concert many years ago. I have a recurring relationship with them and their conductor Steve Fox, and set out to make a medley of themes not otherwise on the show. He wrote so, so many! The idea was to showcase in a sense, "being in his head," by intermingling them and often overlapping them. At one point there are 3 parallel themes. In terms of influence, above all I would say Goldsmith has driven me to constantly try new things. He was "reckless" in the best sense of the word, constantly trying bold ideas and never really taking genre or convention at face value. I don't think my music particularly sounds like his, but that philosophy runs deeply in my work.
Roger: How has film music changed over the past couple of decades?
Austin: Technology continues to inform it, such that production processes are ever-evolving and always changing how we record things. In a way, it's never been easier. I would say also film music has taken on a rather subtle quality, often living so closely with the film that it becomes inseparable in ways that's different from prior eras. Before the footage was a bit more of a rock, and the music would sort of "run in parallel." Think of Star Wars - the score is basically the film converted into music, and hitting play on both at the same time. But modern scores are more deeply embedded. In many ways this represents a continued maturing of the art form, even though I know many bemoan that it also means there's ever-less grand symphonic, melodic scores as in the past.
Roger: What would you like the audience to listen for and take away from your Jerry Goldsmith Medley?
Austin: The sheer joy of his endless inventiveness! It features over 20 melodies from the entire span of his career (the earliest score is 1960, the latest is 1997).
Roger: Do you have any favorite or special Jerry Goldsmith memories or stories?
Austin: Sadly, I never met Jerry, but I was very close with many of his closest collaborators, namely his long-time music editor Kenny Hall. Kenny told me truly endless stories of their time in the trenches. None can beat the stories surrounding the score to Rudy (which is one of those quoted in my medley, towards the end). After completing the finale of the score, the entire orchestra jumped to their feet and gave Jerry a standing ovation. That simply never happens!
Roger: How would you describe your sound world as a composer?
Austin: Lord knows! I try to make sure that it feels new and distinct every time I put pen to paper.
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