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Laura Rossi
Latest News
Laura chosen as a composer to watch by Film Music magazine
Laura is on the panal for the London Film Academy event at Birds Eye
View on 8 March at 16.30-18.00 at the ICA, Brandon Room.
LFA presents: Music for Screened Media. An interactive panel discussion
chaired by multi-award winning composer and sound designer Nic Ryan
and featuring a diverse collection of industry professionals at the
forefront of the British Film and TV music industry, music composers,
producers and sound designers including Olivia Dixon (Screened Music
Network) and Laura Rossi. The panel will be focusing on real world
examples of successful film and television music and revealing some
of the industry's best-kept technical secrets. As sound is an area
of filmmaking where women are still underrepresented come and learn
from our professional panellists how to break into and succeeded in
the film and television industry. There will be opportunities for the
audience to participate with questions for the panel.
Laura will be a guest speaker at the Skillset Screen Academy Wales on Sunday March 8th 9.30am along with other members of the cast and crew of London to Brighton
2008 sees the release of Laura's new score to the famous 1916 film
The Battle of the Somme. The music is performed by the Philharmonia
Orchestra and conducted by Nic Raine. The release of the soundtrack
coincides with the Imperial War Museum’s DVD release of the digitally
restored film on November 3rd, 2008. Laura will be traveling to Pordenone
Film Festival, Italy to present the release of this film with her new
score along with Dr. Toby Haggith of the Imperial War Museum. There
will also be a launch event at the Imperial War Museum, London.
Laura's scores can be purchased from www.virtuosarecords.co.uk
Click here for more information on The Battle of the Somme Project and a full transcription of Laura's great uncle Fred Ainge's WW1 diaries.
BBC Spotlight feature [posted - 12/11/08]
Laura was featured on BBC Spotlight in connection with The Battle of the Somme.
Battle of the Somme Screening [posted - 12/11/08]
16th of November 2008 The UK Premiere of The Battle of the Somme (with Laura's recorded score) will be screened at The Imperial War Museum at 2pm, Free admission.
Battle of the Somme [posted - 03/10/08]
November 3rd sees the DVD and CD release of The Battle of the Somme. There is quite a buzz surrounding this eagerly anticipated release as it marks the first time the film in its entirety has been released on DVD. Below is some info about the DVD and some important events and dates not to be missed!
The
DVD will be available from the Imperial War Museum. Click here.
The CD soundtrack will
be available from Virtuosa Records. Click here.
The Battle of the Somme (1916) remains one of the most successful British films ever made. It is estimated over 20 million tickets were sold in Great Britain in the first two months of release, and the film was distributed world-wide to demonstrate to allies and neutrals Britain’s commitment to the First World War. It is the source of many of that conflict’s most iconic images. It was made by British official cinematographers Geoffrey Malins and John McDowell. Though it was not intended as a feature film, once the volume and quality of their footage had been seen in London, the British Topical Committee for War Films decided to compile a feature-length film.
The Battle of the Somme gave its 1916 audience an unprecedented insight into the realities of trench warfare, controversially including the depiction of dead and wounded soldiers. It shows scenes of the build-up to the infantry offensive, including the massive preliminary bombardment, coverage of the first day of the battle -the bloodiest single day in Britain’s military history - and depictions of the small gains and massive costs of the attack.
As a pioneering battlefield documentary, the very concept of The Battle of the Somme outraged commentators on its release, inaugurating a debate about the on-screen depiction of combat that continues to this day. Its use of a staged sequence to represent the opening of the assault also set the scene for continuing controversy about the ‘truth’ of documentary.
The Battle of the Somme’s importance was recognised in 2005 by its formal inscription in the UNESCO ‘Memory Of The World’ register – the first British document of any kind to be included.
This version features a full digital restoration, and Laura Rossi's newly commissioned orchestral score performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra.
DVD Extras include
- Choice of three soundtracks in both 5.1 and Stereo
options:
- A newly commissioned orchestral score, composed by
Laura Rossi and performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor
Nic Raine.
- A recreation of the medley of light classics, folk
tunes, popular songs and military music that was originally recommended
as an accompaniment to the film on its first release in 1916, performed
by a small ensemble led by Stephen Horne.
- An audio commentary by Roger Smither, Keeper of the
Imperial War Museum’s Film and Photograph Archives.
- On-screen interviews with Roger Smither, Laura Rossi, Stephen Horne and Dr. Toby Haggith.
- Five missing scenes and fragments linked to their originally intended position in the film.
- Booklet with information on the film, its restoration and the two musical accompaniments.
- Weblink to downloadable viewing notes, music details, further reading and teaching resources.
October 10th 2.30pm - Laura Rossi and Dr. Toby Haggith form the Imperial War Museum present the premier screening of the newly restored The Battle of the Somme film with Laura's Rossi's new score at the Poredenone Film Festival, Italy.
November 4th - Press launch of The Battle of the Somme DVD and CD at the Imperial War Museum London. Q+A
November 16th 2pm Laura Rossi and Dr. Toby Haggith form the Imperial War Museum present the UK premier screening of the newly restored The Battle of the Somme film with Laura's Rossi's new score. Q+A
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Broken Lines screenings and award nomination [posted 01/09/08]
October 22nd 2008 18:00 ODEON WEST END 2 Broken Lines is premiered at the London FIlm Festival. The film is nominated for the FIPRESCI Critics Award.
October 27th 2008 20:45 PHOENIX Broken Lines is screened at the London FIlm Festival
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The Cottage CD release [posted 01/06/08]
Laura's score for the Paul Andrew Williams feature The Cottage is released on CD on June 3rd 2008 and is available from MovieScore Media
~
Archive News
The Cottage
Laura has recently scored this film by director Paul Andrew Williams
to be released on 14th March 2008. It features Laura's orchestral
score played by the Chamber Orchestra of London and was recorded
at Angel Studios.
Broken Lines
Laura has recently scored this film directed by Sallie Aprahamian starring
Paul Bettany. Due for release in 2008
The Battle of The Somme
This score was recorded by the Philharmonia Orchestra in November 07.
Due for release in 2008.
LONDON TO BRIGHTON
DVD and CD (sony) release date 30 april 2007
Laura's music for the award winning film London to Brighton is released
by Sony along with the DVD released by Vertigo on April 30th 2007
Buy
it here
Shooting Shona CD release
Laura Rossi’s dark and disturbing score for the independent thriller
Shooting Shona, directed by filmmakers Abner and Kamma Pastoll is released
on soundtrack label MovieScore Media on March 27, 2007. The score for
Shooting Shona is written for a handpicked selection of musicians with
a string quartet, piano, percussion and solo woodwinds creating the
ominous mood of the film.
http://www.moviescoremediashop.com
http://www.moviescoremedia.com
Monday 23 April – ‘Silent Shakespeare’ at
the Globe – FREE
A collection of silent film shorts of Shakespeare’s works will
be projected on to the exterior walls of the theatre, with live musical
accompaniment from composer Laura Rossi and the Fourth Dimension String
Quartet. Come and watch from Bankside as images from the past light
up the white walls of the theatre by arrangement with the British Film
Institute. Films include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night
and The Merchant of Venice and date back to 1899.
Film showing times are: 8.00pm – 10.00pm (with 20 minute interval)
For further details, please visit www.shakespeares-globe.org/theatre/specialevents/
www.shakespeares-globe.org
Arctic Circle gig, Wednesay 30th May
Laura performs her scores with a small ensemble including music from
the newly released London to Brighton as part of the Arctic Circle
new monthly night at THE SPITZ in East London.
http://jointhecircle.net/
http://myspace.com/jointhecircle
THE SPITZ 30/05/07 (new monthly residence)
109 COMMERCIAL STREET OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET E1 6BG
7 - 11pm
4 rooms to explore
Venue: Ellis Island Sound, Oblong & Laura Rossi
plus dj tench (expanding) with visuals from Bad Hand Film
Gallery: Hybernation, Seven Sang & Rothko (DJ set) plus video instillation
from Nick Hornby
Bistro: Clark Hammond Duo
Spare Oom: a night of poetry currated by Sundown Multimedia
Entry Price £6
BUY TICKETS:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/17415
Masterclass
Laura has been asked to do a masterclass on writing music for film
and television at Strathclyde University on March 19th at 12 midday.
Jazz Piano Grades
Laura has writen pieces for the new London College of Music Jazz Piano
syllabus Jazz Piano Handbook 2 (Grades 6-8) which will be available
in May from http://www.music-exchange.co.uk/lcmmusic.php
Masterclass
Laura has been asked to do a masterclass on writing music for film
and television at Liverpool Hope University on November 21st at 2pm.
BBC Breakfast
Sunday 22 October 2006
Laura was featured on BBC breakfast talking about her music for the
Battle of the Somme
Blasts from the Past
Saturday 21 October 2006, 3:00 pm
Purcell Room
Laura Rossi in conversation on the orchestral composition she has just
completed for The Battle of the Somme, which is premiered at the Queen
Elizabeth Hall on 22nd October
Music plays a crucial role in enhancing the experience of cinema, from
its early function providing sound effects and drowning out projector
noise to its current role as one of the most sophisticated and powerful
tools that a filmmaker can use. Drawing on examples from the First
World War era, British amateur cinema and propaganda films scored by
luminaries such as William Alwyn, Francis Chagrin and Ernst Meyer,
curators and musicians explore the ways that music has been used to
influence the emotions and attitudes of the viewer.
'The Battle of the Somme - Queen Elizabeth Hall (added
- 10/10/06)
22 October, 7.30pm
At the end of June 1916, two newsreel cameramen were allowed to record
the opening stages of the Battle of the Somme. The resulting 80-minute
film mesmerised audiences, being seen by half the population. Recently
inscribed in the UNESCO 'Memory of the World Register', the Imperial
War Museum has prepared a re-mastered version for the 90th anniversary,
which for this screening is to be complemented by the premiere of an
orchestral accompaniment composed by Laura Rossi and performed by the
Philharmonia Orchestra.
Tickets £20 / £17.50 / £15 / £9
Box office 0870 382 8000 or book online at www.rfh.org.uk
Sao Paulo Film Festival (added - 11/7/06)
Laura was invited to present 'Silent Shakespeare' at the 2006
Sao Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil. She played two concerts
at the Cinesec Cinema.
Photos here
New Work Commissioned (added - 9/6/06)
Laura has recently been commissioned to write a wind quintet
piece and a song cycle for the Demos ensemble.
London to Brighton (added - 5/6/06)
'London to Brighton' was written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams.
Laura's score for the film was recorded by the Prague Filmharmonic
Orchestra. The film was premiered at Edinburgh film festival on 18th
and 19th August 2006 and released by Vertigo Films later this year. London
to Brighton website here