Golden Globes

Brussels Philharmonic recording of soundtrack 'the artist' has been awarded a Golden Globe!

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The Brussels Philharmonic can for the second time count a Golden Globe among its achievements. In 2005 the orchestra made an international breakthrough as an orchestra of reference for the recording and performance of film music, with Howard Shore’s Golden Globe for ‘The Aviator’ by Martin Scorsese.

Last night came a second award: the public’s choice and top favourite ‘The Artist’ by Michel Hazanavicius took away no fewer than 3 of the 6 prizes for which it was nominated: Best Film (comedy or musical), Best Actor in a comedy or musical for Jean Dujardin and Best Score to  Ludovic Bource.

For Bource, this was the first time he had received an award of this calibre, and he was therefore somewhat overwhelmed in the press room after the ceremony (see his word of thanks here). It is widely known that Bource considers his cooperation with the Brussels Philharmonic his finest memory of the project. Bource spent a week in Brussels in April 2011 recording the soundtrack, together with the Brussels Philharmonic, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Jef Neve, and conductor Ernst van Tiel in Studio 4 at Flagey.

What made the soundtrack for The Artist so exceptional was that it was composed and performed for a silent movie which makes its role much more prominent than in a talking film; almost like the voice of one of the actors. What makes it even more remarkable and unique is that it left the typical Hollywood box of tricks untouched to obtain the dramatic effects.

Thanks to the Ghent Film Festival, with its focus on film soundtracks, the Brussels Philharmonic has managed to build up a considerable network and film composers started to like their work. Still working for the film industry requires a new organisation.

Gunther Broucke, general manager:
“We have often had to decline offers, as the structure of a traditional orchestra does not always fit in with the workings of the film industry,where everything has to be rushed within a matter of two to three months. We are currently in talks with the government of Flanders to create a spin-off company that could operate under the working title Brussels 'Film'harmonic. This business will then commission the orchestra for specific productions and will be able to sign agreements for technical support.”

Now the ensemble has to wait for the apotheosis of the triumphal entry of The Artist: the Oscars. After the success at the Golden Globes, the pressure on The Artist is considerable. On 24 January, the nominations for the Oscars will be announced, followed on 26 February by the awards ceremony.

Brussels Philharmonic warmly congratulates the entire team of ‘The Artist’, and is crossing its fingers with them for the final coronation during the 84th Academy Awards!

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