Coming soon from MSM: unfamiliar with the composer, but based on the description I'm already drooling!
MMS09025 • THE RED CANVAS Music Composed by James Peterson Released on November 3, 2009 • CD/download
Already nominated for the Jerry Goldsmith Award at the V International Film Music Festival in Ùbeda, Spain, and the winner of the award for 'Best Feature Soundtrack' at the Action on Film International Film Festival, James Peterson's score for The Red Canvas will blow fans of big, orchestral movie music away! A rarity in modern film music, this is a score that is inspired by the legendary Miklós Rózsa – Peterson masterfully writes very maturely for orchestra, with beautiful motifs, themes and counterpoint! Written for large orchestra with an emphasis on brass (eight french horns, six trombones, four trumpets, two tuba) and a large string section (60 pieces), the music is definitely a musical adrenaline fest (the +11 minute 'Ballet for Brawlers' is atosnishing) - but the score never loses its focus on emotion. As a bonus, this CD (which is over 66 minutes) features Peterson's eight part concert work 'Moving Images Suite', a delightful orchestral ode to film music. Enjoy!
For those interested, his complete 21-minute "Moving Images Suite" is available on his website, as well as extensive clips from this socre: http://www.jamespetersonmusic.com/
Same here. If PEterson continues to get more work I will change my stance on the state of film scoring. He's definitely one to listen for as he certainly knows his way around the orchestra.
Here's is a little review I wrote about this score at maintitles.net
Last year's big surprise came via MovieScore Media with their release of the superb The Possibility of an Island. This year MovieScore Media does it again by bringing us James Peterson's outstanding and surprisingly mature work for The Red Canvas. A bold, thematic, fully orchestral score with a Golden Age sensibility featuring "Ballet for Brawlers" - an 11 minute barn burner which is one of the most impressive action cues I've heard since Frederic Talgorn's "La Course De Chars" from Asterix Aux Jeux Olympiques. It's easily one of the five best cues I've heard this year. It never lets up with it's strong rhythms, rapid fire brass writing and colorful orchestrations. Peterson ends the piece with a wonderful flourish that can only signify that he had a lot of fun writing this score. I heard this cue for the first time in the car two days ago and I had to pull over because the emotions overwhelmed me and tears started welling up in my eyes. It's great hearing music like this because it's such a rare thing these days.
While there are a few more outstanding action cues the score is dominated by rich dramatic music which reminds me of something Miklos Rozsa would have written. Fans of lush string lead music will eat this score up. "Death and Resurrection" - both parts - are superb.
Again, this is a most unexpected surprise. I would have never expected a modern day martial arts movie to receive a score of this caliber. The Red Canvas is easily one of the best scores I've heard this year and I can't wait to hear more from this incredibly talented up and coming composer! He reminds me of a younger Michael Giacchino. Full of talent, promise and has a clear understanding and appreciation of classic symphonic film music.
Thank you Mikael for releasing this! Without you this score would not have seen the light of day. And for those that are bored with modern day film music and are looking for something that reminds you of why you fell in love with film music in the first place - symphony orchestra and memorable themes - then I highly recommend this score! Actually, I recommend this score to everyone. Simply brilliant!
BTW, the bonus "Moving Images Suite" is a wonderful tribute to film scores of past and present!
Same here. If PEterson continues to get more work I will change my stance on the state of film scoring. He's definitely one to listen for as he certainly knows his way around the orchestra.
That is, hands down, one of the best film music cues I've heard in years.
For those interested, his complete 21-minute "Moving Images Suite" is available on his website, as well as extensive clips from this socre: http://www.jamespetersonmusic.com/
Where? I'm not hearing any streaming music or seeing a link to this anywhere on his site.
FYI- Mr Peterson actually just joined a thread on this forum when a fellow member who knows him pointed out the attention his music was getting. Pretty damn awesome IMO
I guess you read his length reply to my questions eh? I think it's actually terrific that he was nice enough and candid enough to espouse all those things on a music tech board that's populated by MV wannabes. There are actually some fine musicians on that forum actually but it's still nice to hear a composer with as much skill as Peterson talk frankly about the state of filmscoring today. And I like that he's got the chops to back up his position.
I urge all you music fans to check out this score. Promising career ahead for this composer.
I guess you read his length reply to my questions eh?
I certainly did - and it was refreshing to hear some assertively voiced negative opinions rather than the usual bland interview responses. This guy has something to say, both musically and extra-musically, and I'll be listening!
And if you don't mind me saying so, David, you currently bear a striking resemblance to one Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev.
As well as Pandorum and House of the Devil 
