Fly On The Wall Film Of A Large Orchestral Session At Air Studios

With permission from ITV, Christian kindly invites us into the control room at Air Studios to witness in real time how quickly you can record orchestral players in London. With an enormous amount of material and just three hours, will they get to the finish line?
Download and follow along with the scores: we.tl/t-yBxcfkCJRr
To access 100's of hours of composing tutorials, tips and tricks, check out www.spitfireaudio.com/academy
#SpitfireAudio #InspireAGenerationOfComposers

[@michaelkelly6583]

Ummm. I’m 67 and have tinnitus and am just getting started ... it’s my retirement project. No expectations, no prospects, just a superb audience of 1. Me. I love this stuff.

[@sleepysundaymorning5034]

God bless you

[@topoulos]

Damn Right.

[@Lasher500]

I’m 66. Have been writing for community theatre for probably 15 years. Stay the course mate, stay the course.

[@snesmocha]

Man I’m only 15 and I’m starting on all this, good luck

[@nickmuzekari6124]

that's awesome, I'm 48 and just now starting to dabble, I really love this stuff too!

[@michaelowens5394]

Is anyone else impressed and touched by how polite, how friendly and cordial, everyone is? Simply delightful.

[@musitecture.vienna]

an admirable example of British professionalism and politeness

[@landof8294]

@@musitecture.vienna or just the presence of the camera

[@shawnnau7226]

Hadn't been back to the UK in a long time before last year, and the overall polite-ness was one of the first things I noticed. Even my rental car's GPS (satnav) was incredibly nice to me when I missed an exit at a roundabout.

[@JackRubyish]

Don't Be fooled. Great actors. Bigots most of them. See. It's down to the privileged blood line they all come from what makes the opportunity available for THEM. CLASS SOCIETY.

[@musitecture.vienna]

atomic bombs? that escalated quickly...

[@shanej.stever1413]

Shout out to Fiona, an incredible engineer.

[@M_Lopez_3D_Artist]

SHE SO AWESOME

[@JPDC624]

Totally has the session under control and clearly knows that desk. Every composer getting to this level needs a Fiona.

[@skankamusic]

Came here for this... She's fantastic!

[@jaywright9924]

For anyone following along with the score here are the timestamps for each cue 1:09 2m06 Take 1 4:42 2m06 Take 2 7:10 1m01 Take 1 10:50 1m01 Take 2 12:25 1m01 Take 3 13:30 1m02 Take 1 16:25 1m02 Take 2 18:50 1m07d Take 1 21:45 1m07d Take 2 23:45 1m08a Take 1 25:00 1m08a Take 2 25:30 1m08a Take 3 27:10 1m09 Take 1 28:20 1m09 Take 2 29:40 1m09 Take 3 31:00 1m10 Take 1 33:45 1m10 Take 2 35:15 1m12 Take 1 37:15 1m12 Take 2 37:35 1m12 Take 3 38:55 1m13 Take 1 40:25 1m13 Take 2 40:40 1m13 Take 3 41:05 1m13 Take 4 42:20 1m11b Take 1 44:20 1m11b Take 2 46:25 2m01 48:15 2m02 Take 1 49:20 2m02 Take 2 51:05 2m03 Take 1 53:45 2m03 Take 2 55:40 2m03 Take 3 56:50 2m04 58:55 2m04a Take 1 1:00:30 2m04a Take 2 1:01:45 2m04a Take 3 1:03:25 2m07 1:06:05 2m08 Take 1 1:07:50 2m08 Take 2 1:09:35 2m10 Take 1 1:12:25 2m10 Take 2 1:14:30 2m14 Take 1 1:15:30 2m14 Take 2 1:16:00 2m14 Take 3 1:17:30 2m14 Take 4 1:20:00 2m14a Take 1 1:21:40 2m14a Take 2 1:23:30 2m15a 1:24:45 2m16 1:28:10 2m17 Take 1 1:29:30 2m18 Take 1 1:30:45 2m18 Take 2 1:32:05 2m19 1:34:25 2m20 Take 1 1:37:50 2m20 Take 2 1:40:40 2m20 Take 3 1:41:40 2m20 Take 4 1:45:10 2m21 1:47:00 1m07c Take 1 1:49:15 1m07c Take 2 1:52:50 1m08 Take 1 1:55:30 1m08 Take 2 1:57:50 1m08 Take 3 1:58:25 1m08 Take 4 2:00:00 1m07 Take 1 2:00:40 1m07 Take 2 2:02:00 1m05 2:04:25 1m06 Take 1 2:05:50 1m06 Take 2 2:08:05 2m13 Take 1 2:10:25 2m13 Take 2 2:12:30 2m12 Take 1 2:13:25 2m12 Take 2 2:15:15 1m04 Take 1 2:16:00 1m04 Take 2 2:16:50 1m04 Take 3 2:17:30 1m04 Take 4 2:18:15 1m02 Take 3 2:22:55 2m17 Take 2 2:24:50 2m17 Take 3 2:26:20 2m17 Take 4 2:27:35 1m03 Take 1 2:29:10 1m03 Take 2 2:30:35 1m03 Take 3 2:32:00 1m03a Take 1 2:33:10 1m03a Take 2 2:33:55 Finishing Up Alternatively, if you want to follow the cues in order 7:10 1m01 Take 1 10:50 1m01 Take 2 12:25 1m01 Take 3 13:30 1m02 Take 1 16:25 1m02 Take 2 2:18:15 1m02 Take 3 2:27:35 1m03 Take 1 2:29:10 1m03 Take 2 2:30:35 1m03 Take 3 2:32:00 1m03a Take 1 2:33:10 1m03a Take 2 2:15:15 1m04 Take 1 2:16:00 1m04 Take 2 2:16:50 1m04 Take 3 2:17:30 1m04 Take 4 2:02:00 1m05 2:04:25 1m06 Take 1 2:05:50 1m06 Take 2 2:00:00 1m07 Take 1 2:00:40 1m07 Take 2 1:47:00 1m07c Take 1 1:49:15 1m07c Take 2 18:50 1m07d Take 1 21:45 1m07d Take 2 1:52:50 1m08 Take 1 1:55:30 1m08 Take 2 1:57:50 1m08 Take 3 1:58:25 1m08 Take 4 23:45 1m08a Take 1 25:00 1m08a Take 2 25:30 1m08a Take 3 27:10 1m09 Take 1 28:20 1m09 Take 2 29:40 1m09 Take 3 31:00 1m10 Take 1 33:45 1m10 Take 2 42:20 1m11b Take 1 44:20 1m11b Take 2 35:15 1m12 Take 1 37:15 1m12 Take 2 37:35 1m12 Take 3 38:55 1m13 Take 1 40:25 1m13 Take 2 40:40 1m13 Take 3 41:05 1m13 Take 4 46:25 2m01 48:15 2m02 Take 1 49:20 2m02 Take 2 51:05 2m03 Take 1 53:45 2m03 Take 2 55:40 2m03 Take 3 56:50 2m04 58:55 2m04a Take 1 1:00:30 2m04a Take 2 1:01:45 2m04a Take 3 1:09 2m06 Take 1 4:42 2m06 Take 2 1:03:25 2m07 1:06:05 2m08 Take 1 1:07:50 2m08 Take 2 1:09:35 2m10 Take 1 1:12:25 2m10 Take 2 2:12:30 2m12 Take 1 2:13:25 2m12 Take 2 2:08:05 2m13 Take 1 2:10:25 2m13 Take 2 1:14:30 2m14 Take 1 1:15:30 2m14 Take 2 1:16:00 2m14 Take 3 1:17:30 2m14 Take 4 1:20:00 2m14a Take 1 1:21:40 2m14a Take 2 1:23:30 2m15a 1:24:45 2m16 1:28:10 2m17 Take 1 2:22:55 2m17 Take 2 2:24:50 2m17 Take 3 2:26:20 2m17 Take 4 1:29:30 2m18 Take 1 1:30:45 2m18 Take 2 1:32:05 2m19 1:34:25 2m20 Take 1 1:37:50 2m20 Take 2 1:40:40 2m20 Take 3 1:41:40 2m20 Take 4 1:45:10 2m21

[@TPekel]

Thank u :)

[@MrYouTuba]

Thanks - where can I get the score?

[@jaywright9924]

@@MrYouTuba there should be a link in the description

[@MrYouTuba]

@@jaywright9924 oh thanks. I missed that.

[@WorldOfArtWorld]

This should be pinned.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I love Christian's face when he hears his music performed by the orchestra for the first time. Clearly a buzz that never gets old.

[@MLazyHunt]

Alex Ball ikr! I compose scores using my computer, if i ever hear my music being performed by a real orchestra i would lose my mind 😍😍

[@Rhythmicons]

That is a good feeling when musicians in a band write their own parts separately and you hear them all come together at practice.

[@420wizdumb6]

he looks stressed out to me, like "if this doesnt work I'm ruined" lol

[@ViolaGMidi]

I captured Alex Ball in the comment

[@WinterGibbs]

I love that I stumble across you on this video :)

[@SideshowTim1]

Incredible recording engineer. I really loved seeing such a relaxed and confident person controlling such complex session.

[@terrygray7465]

No room for "hot heads" at this level. It serves no purpose and time is money...

[@shanefiddle]

I was also very impressed by her unflappable professionalism. Impressive, even in comparison to all the impressive people gathered in that room.

[@harounel-poussah6936]

Orchestra stuff is less complex to record than a metal band.

[@joshgledhillaudio]

@@harounel-poussah6936 I mean come on, the amount of mics in that room to check are in phase and people to keep happy. Isn't a walk in the park tbh!

[@harounel-poussah6936]

@@joshgledhillaudio : usua way to record a symphonic orchestra is with an Y-pair of Schoeps microphones for stereo or with more for 5:1 etc purpose to merge you into the orchestra... Most of legendary classical music records were made with an Y-pair, sometimes even with cheaper stuff than the Schoeps, e.g a pair of AKG C414 which is one of the main all-purposes mics for the recording studio. This is useless and time consuming to record every instrument or even section separately... Unless your syphoning money from the producer????? You obviously never recorded classical music! As a sound engineer, your job is to keep it the most faithful as what your ears receive. The purpose of putting mics everywhere is very different, and it's the way you record rock/pop bands, not orchestras!

[@caitiffchoir]

This guy being self taught, and starting a career at this later in life, certainly inspires me to keep at it. I'm 29 and feel like my opportunity has passed, but this gives me encouragement to keep working at it :)

[@Sellouth]

oh, 29, you're so old :p (irony inside)

[@MyNameIsND]

:D i´m 26 and think that i´m too old because there are tons of younger people making great music :D

[@brokeniphone9698]

I'm 19, music producer and Im at the edge of my career, about to quit sooner or later! lol

[@PaulEastham]

IM 36 and I am just getting somewhere :)

[@TheSteveSteele]

There are many composers that got a late start in this profession. 29 is nothing, especially if you have a good skill set and know how to network. You’d be surprised where you could be in a couple of years if you put your mind to it. We live in a competitive but very opportunistic time. Go west young man!

[@JeffDaytonMusic]

I'm only 11:00 in and my mind is already blown. Priceless experience that I'd have gladly paid $100 to sit in on. Thank you Spitfire!

[@jksaw]

This is why sight reading & ear training is taught in music schools. I can’t stress the importance of this if you want to become a professional musician of this caliber.

[@SolarMumuns]

Jim Kucharski Yes but Christian isn't a reader! So it's not always essential.

[@braunhausmedia]

Immensely complicated music is not necessarily better music.

[@bassinblue]

Times have changed. Our tools are better and can 'communicate' the music for us. We're just left with our own creativity. Paul McCartney or Hans Zimmer both can't sight read music, yet both produced the most eloquently phenomenal music in recent history. If music is in your soul, then nothing should stop you.

[@helloworldstudios412]

@@moderatemind355 it takes a lot of practice and patience. Having to sit there for 3 hours straight is even a exhausting!

[@ImmersionaudioLTD]

Wrong

[@martinbennett9578]

her gentle voice (here it comes) sounds lovely. never mind the score

[@chrissop]

As an arranger myself, there’s nothing more magical than an orchestra who brings your notes alive. It’s a pleasure to see Christian being the professional producer and simultaneously savor his music in such a fantastic way.

[@clarkremains]

Thank you thank you THANK YOU for finally doing what no one else will do.... give a glimpse at how it really works. Thanks Christian!!!! Great work!!

[@semanticsamuel936]

I know this is an old comment, but I just found this video. I really appreciate the real-time nature of this. It's only switching between a few cameras and that's it. So often you see these things heavily edited and you get very little idea as to how it actually works. This is like virtual work experience.

[@friesiamans1966]

yes, agreed!

[@friesiamans1966]

@@semanticsamuel936 yep, it´s very seldom you can watch the work like here - one thing that impressed me before was the making of "the incredibles" (pixar film), where they decided to record with a real big orchestra, that was where i saw the work for the first time plus a lot of the background preparations that had to be done - as a little self taugh hobby musician i´m really impressed and delighted... :-)

[@helloworldstudios412]

People think that music synchronization is a quick and easy process, and in many cases it is and it's selected from a library. While that is one way of synchronizing, this is the best way and the most successful if you want a memorable, one of kind, score that is unforgettable!

[@tadypetr]

I'm amazed. You don't have a opportunity very often, to look inside of such a huge and famous studio. Watched the whole session. Also I love Christian's music.

[@Bigricky06]

I have no words to Express how i truly feel about that video for the amount of work, professionalism and beauty I'm seeing......just marvelous.

[@skroll71]

Bigricky06 Inwas thinking the exact same thing. This is amazing to watch!

[@garycitro1674]

Indeed, it will be a sad day when soundtracks stop getting recorded by a team of humans this way.

[@Bigricky06]

@@garycitro1674 yes indeed.

[@G_Force_27]

Gary Citro I don’t think the good ones will ever stop this human element.

[@OKmusic21]

In my 83 years,while listening and viewing, I am feel lightheaded with inspiration. This video brings back memories of many recording sessions in any studios such as this and yes,the exuberant fee,link of hearing my own music being played and recorded. Similar feeling when I saw my first born sun

[@rollomaughfling380]

45:17 How nice! So excited to see his dad.

[@oddjobkia]

This is why the arts are essential.

[@saratoga123321]

MorbidManMusic yeah honestly. If anything it's a testament to the impressive amount of work that goes into productions like these. For Jamie over here, the arts...take it or leave it...at this level of proficiency are to be respected to the utmost degree

[@robertw.1499]

Jamie Rollinson ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@spikespa5208]

Every time you go to see a movie, give pause and thank who or whatever that there are so many fine composers, musicians, and technical personnel who work for hundreds of hours on the film scores we love. Arts *are* essential.

[@shawnmuench]

I agree! Some might say it's a "luxury" and disparage musicians for wanting fair compensation schemes-- but: I can think of many material industries that should go away before we give up music. If music is a luxury, then what about the junk sold at dollar stores? Lots of things are useless and shouldn't exist. Music isn't one of them.

[@glenesis]

This is phenomenal, Christian! I'm a retired engineer in NY the USA, and I've always wanted to see inside Sir George Martin's Air London. I'm not disappointed!

[@robertparkerpiano]

This is such a gift. I was thinking the other day, "I sure would like to be a fly on the wall of a big session". And less than a day and I find this. Almost like this life is a simulation and once in a while, I get to direct. I'll take it.

[@Slynell1]

or google has access to your mind.

[@joeypatrickmullan9921]

This has got to be one of the most inspiring videos I've watched on KZbin. Loved every minute of it. Thanks for taking the time Christian.

[@Nakidim75]

I remember that I cried at my first strings session. I was 24, my first score and that was emotionally too strong... but one of my best experiences!

[@garycitro1674]

So, could you or someone else quell my curiosity by giving an estimate of how much money each of these wonderful musicians would have earned for this 3 hour session? Seems like the greatest job in the world for those who have the talent!

[@kamowoj]

Gary Citro fhhuhhh’Ckllkj

[@DavidLeeGrossmanMusic]

Gary Citro In both Seattle (where a lot of US film scores are being recorded nowadays for small and medium budget films) and under the table non-union sessions in LA and NYC, the base rate would start at $60/hour for a minimum three hour session, first chair for each instrument would be time or time and a half ($90/hour, and if you only have one instrument per section, each one is considered a first chair) with union sessions always being time and a half, and the concertmaster and conductor would typically be double ($120/hour), with some conductors going as high as triple ($180/hour). On smaller sessions in Seattle the concertmaster can also be plain time and a half, but for a session this size will probably be double. I don’t know the exact rates for current union work in LA or sessions in London, but the most recent I have (from 2017) range from $75-100/hour for the base rate depending on the budget in LA and $78-120/hour in London. At the same time, if you record with some of the session orchestras that are popping up across Europe in places like the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, it could be as low as $20-30/hour base, but you wouldn’t be able to get as much music recorded per hour and the musicians can normally only handle classical/romantic style scores (nothing too jazzy or modern sounding, so even something like the more well-known John Williams scores would be pushing the limits of what they can do). Doubles for non-union sessions can be extra or not depending on the musician and what instrument they’re doubling to, but for union work in the US each additional instrument adds to the cost - an extra 50% of the base rate for the first double, 35% for the second, and 20% each for anything past that (so if you have one union woodwind player playing clarinet, bass clarinet, and two saxophones, that one musician would make 255% of the base rate, or at least $153/hour, meaning $460+ per three hour session). So for this session or a session like this in London today, each musician would probably make anywhere from $110-130/hour, the first chairs would be $160-190/hour, and the concertmaster and conductor would each be at least $220-260/hour.

[@karlmadsen3179]

@@DavidLeeGrossmanMusic Great information.

[@vamvra5498]

I was 12, Symphony Fantastique Berlioz - first time I played my Cello in a full orchestra was magical.

[@bobgreene2892]

Stumbling upon this video, I intended to sample it briefly, but ended completely involved. The "fly on the wall" format is much more informative about the entire process-- from frustration and tedium of actual production, to moments in which the music channels the composer's creative ear.

[@shawnmuench]

It's so valuable to see reality rather than reconstructions. I hope more content follows suit. I'm interested in people and a people oriented internet.

[@rolfedrengen]

@@shawnmuench That's a perspective I've never thought of before! The internet is shaping the world, so the world needs a people oriented internet.. or.. uhm.. a people oriented KZbin. Which I belive directed me to this content :-) I'm interested in subjective content too. As long is there's strong evidence :-)

[@watcheroftheskies66]

Brilliant. I could watch that over and over. I find it staggering how the musicians can play everything so well, having not seen the score before. Makes me feel very humble about my own musical ability.

[@DoctorShocktor]

I understand your awe, but it’s mainly based on your lack of knowledge and experience in reading and playing music. The music is very simple, the musicians have so much muscle memory and read music as you would read a foreign language that you have mastered. So the task at hand is actually easy, what the professionals bring to it is precision and feeling or tone. The musicians are bouncing between boredom, thinking about their paychecks, and focusing on delivering a quality result in every take, there is no concern over the “difficulty” level or reading the music.

[@10314347]

@@DoctorShocktor True. These musicians have been doing this for so long that they can take one glance at a cue and nail it note wise on the first take. If they couldn't do this, they wouldn't be sitting in those chairs. I have played with many symphony orchestras (percussion) and if you have difficulty sight reading, you don't get called. Period. You're basically on a short list of players that can nail this, or you are not.

[@tvoommen4688]

Did you notice that each individual musician's part is very simple, but when played in concert mode, it sounds as a complex piece.

[@bassaroo]

TV Oommen Yep, just like the music of Brahms, Beethoven, etc...

[@harounel-poussah6936]

@@DoctorShocktor : and these musicians are often very likely to envy others' capabiliy to improvise/create, those who toured with Yes were stunned about the way Yes' musicians had all their parts in such a complex music fully memorized... Just dig this : it took more than 15 years to violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuin to start playing Indian music... With two years, jazzman John McLaughlin had put up his own top notch Indian classical music band named Shakti and they were praised by Indian top notch musicians.

[@daztaylor]

As a twelve year old boy, I was introduced to music that comprised mainly of overdriven power chords, thunderous drums and roaring vocals. Heavy metal was my religion for many years after and still is to this day. I am now in my fifties and I'm a recent convert to orchestration of this kind and a deep appreciation for these musicians, composers, engineers and everyone else involved has now formed. I never learned to read music. I never learned music theory. I never learned to train my ear outside of recognising the standard tuning of a guitar. I have missed out on so much. I now find myself listening to film and TV scores and marveling at the subtle change of chords underneath a melody to invoke certain feelings and emotions. This film is a great insight into that world and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Great job Christian.

[@rolfedrengen]

It is ok to have several religions I think. For the time being my gods are gypsyjazz (Django, Moignard, Rosenberg, Stephan, Bergera), modern pop-jazz (Dirty loops, knower, snarky), Flying Colors, J. Collier, some of my friends and so on. I mean.. if you want it you can get whatever you want and need in the world of music! Try picking up an instrument. After a while, music will never be the same! And.. it's FREE!

[@openreels]

That is a ton of expensive microphones. Great engineering work, it sounds beautiful, even coming via KZbin. Really nice, interesting writing (and kudos to the orchestrator as well). But let's not forget the great work of the video crew and post-production bringing this to life! Lots of fun and quite illuminating, thanks Spitfire!

[@darkseiid]

Im Canadian. I am one of Calgary's orchestra composer, i have to say these people are connected to each other like they're one body.

[@ephjaymusic]

I'd like to see how the man behind the Apple organizes the Pro-Tools session, whilst managing to organise clicks, frames, multiple takes etc. Must be brain wrenching!

[@Wasaia]

Yeah, would love to see that too.

[@bhishmamusic]

Yeah.. that'd really need a skillful person.

[@Nullllus]

You can run a click track and kill certain bars with automation. And, of course, all takes are recorded in certain spots where the clips and prerecorded tracks (such as vocals and woodwings) already laid and labeled. Multiple takes can be managed with playlists. That's how I would do it anyway.

[@shanefiddle]

And then if the computer freezes, or overheats, or just crashes... oops! I imagine they have an auto-backup system making copies of everything in realtime?

[@shelovessway]

Markers my friend . 5 .

[@VFXCommander]

My GOD those Cellos at 1:43 !!! Such warm and heartfelt sound

[@shanefiddle]

Yeah, the cellos in this session were EPIC.

[@JPDC624]

What string library is that? 😆😂

[@whoisthispianist01]

Great to see Christian realising his dream here. Must have been so exciting for him.

[@dpomberger]

In tears and sobbing ... 52 years old :) ... and no I'm not ashamed ... oh god, do I love orchestral music. Thank you so much for sharing! Great work, Christian and all the people that were involved! And yes, I'm 3 years late :)

[@psy0rz]

Isnt it amazing how good they are??

[@dpomberger]

@@psy0rz Yes, indeed

[@burnmic]

Sorry to spam this post with the last 3 comments, but bloody hell... 1h34m.. I must have played this cue 10 times already... 1h36m20s... just awesome.. the look on Christian's face where he looks around and I'm sure is thinking "what the **** just happened!" - Best piece of music I've heard in a good while.. awesome :)

[@weny5953]

1:34:00

[@angelojayproductions]

1:36:20

[@Jokrono]

Awesome stuff. I'd love to see more full sessions like this. Thanks for all parties involved for sharing!

[@burnmic]

Alarm went off, kettle went on, and coffee was born... from there I haven't been able to pull myself away from the screen picking up from where I left off yesterday. It would be really great to see you working on writing a section of this same score behind the scenes.. kind of like a before and after from demo to live recording on a section... Perhaps something for the next journal :)

[@qcole469]

Your like a kid again Christian, I instantly got chills like I wrote the music. Such beautiful music.

[@watcheroftheskies66]

Also I love the way that Christian is clearly blown away by the music several times. Must the incredible having your music brought to life like that.

[@erichkohl9317]

This really is amazing stuff. As an amateur musician myself, I would give anything to witness this process in person.

[@markemanuele1929]

This is so different from when I took my film scoring and conducting class back in 1976. WOW! I would mark the film up with a grease pencil to get the hit points and have the film reverse projected behind the orchestra.

[@ModFoz]

Starting at 1:34:30 - I don’t know what it is but that composition is absolutely phenomenal. Makes my hair stand on end.

[@Squares1960]

Yup I had that experience too ! Takes your breath away !

[@sassulusmagnus]

It's awe inspiring watching such a collection of consummate professionals work together to turn sound into emotion.

[@jithendravs]

Beautiful score and well played !

[@rastAsia]

This was incredible. 24:40 and her call for retake due to siren at the start was spot on. THE DISCIPLINE and beauty to the score, with able musicians in the room is spectacular to watch.

[@jmasked5082]

I can't hear any siren at the start of that take..

[@rastAsia]

J Masked You can hear it faintly at 23:45 just before the start at Bar 10

[@jmasked5082]

@@rastAsia You're right, I wasn't listening loud enough to catch it!

[@rastAsia]

@@jmasked5082 Many wouldn't have noticed it like Fiona did. Even Christian didn't. But that's part of our job as audio engineers.

[@nentihaiudittu]

the level of professionalism, the incredible timing, hitting each note in perfect combination with each other and to think that all these instruments are fretless leaves me speechless every time

[@GavinMorris1]

And this is music they've never seen before. Makes me feel like a total charlatan.

[@BRINGYOURSONG]

What a great idea ... the real work of recording displayed so professionally. Wonderful.

[@nicebluejay]

this was brilliant!!!!!! "and here it comes....."

[@jerryclement5289]

This is AMAZING to watch!

[@briangriffin8000]

i'd be crying in that room no matter what session, strings really pull on the heart strings

[@stukennedy195]

I was in that live room when Narnia was recorded, just behind the conductor, full orchestra, tears falling down my face.

[@craigberry4051]

Many years ago i was an assistant engineer on a few of these kinds of sessions. Brings back memories! Thank you for sharing this video!

[@waxwingflock]

Fascinating stuff! Thanks Christian for letting us see this!

[@geraldtir]

WHAT A SOUND. BRINGS ME TO STILL !!!

[@ephjaymusic]

This video is GOLD! 💗💗💗 Thank you so much!

[@shotgunstrin4626]

Just like to say how awesome those opening strings were, genuine shivers

[@ToeShimmel]

Thanks for this!

[@swiftbot]

Really love this. I'm so glad you posted this.

[@e.g.systems6146]

Truly amazing to see talent at work - the composer, the studio engineers, the musicians, all so professional, and patient. What I wouldn't give to sit in on one of these sessions!

[@oig40203]

I have been in Air Studios before. That big room sounds great when you are just talking!

[@jabf123]

wow, this is amazing! thank you so much for sharing this!

[@PaBlikMM01]

I´m so loving it!!! Thank you for this! :)

[@benpit2762]

Let’s not forget the amazing orchestration work by Ben Foskett.

[@HollywoodVirtualAudio]

@@pete3816, the "Orchestrator" handles the business end of the score. (Chris) composes the score, then hands it and it's budget to the orchestrator; Who decides exactly how many and which instruments play each part. Just because Chris may be using Zimmer Strings in Logic, doesn't mean the networks budget will allow for that many players.

[@alio2269]

@@pete3816 orchestrator is going to mean arranger in this context

[@DavidLeeGrossmanMusic]

Pete In the film and TV world, the composer will normally produce a score on the computer using various sample libraries for the director to approve each piece of music, and the orchestrator’s responsibility is to take that Logic/ProTools/Cubase/etc session and any scores or sketches from the composer and turn it into the music that actually gets recorded by the musicians, producing the full score that’s then sent to the copyist who produces the parts for the musicians. That could be as simple as taking a string chord from the demo sent to the director and splitting it out to the string section or expanding any notational shortcuts used by the composer (much more common in the past with handwritten manuscripts than today, but still done occasionally), as complex as reassigning parts depending on the budget (for example, if the composer wrote a six voice chord for the woodwinds but there’s only a budget for five woodwinds, the orchestrator needs to figure out where that extra note is going to go), or even as creative as writing additional lines/fills/textures beyond what was included in the materials from the composer to make the music fuller or richer. Some orchestrators could be given something as sparse as a three staff piano score with a few indications of what instrument the composer wants playing melody or accompaniment and have to almost finish the composition themselves (one example that comes to mind is the Richard Rogers score for Victory at Sea, where he composed the themes and a few short sketches of music that would be used in different situations, and the orchestrator had to turn those themes and ideas into the entire score before orchestrating, effectively doing more actual nuts-and-bolts composition than Rogers did), or could be given extremely detailed short scores for each piece and all they’re responsible for is turning those sketches into the full score for the copyists and musicians and occasionally adding a few additional things in for color (runs/fills/etc) like what normally happens in John Williams scores. What also commonly happens nowadays is an orchestrator could be brought on to a project to compose/arrange as a ghostwriter if the project needs a certain piece in a musical style that the composer doesn’t know well enough to write in. In those situations, the composer will have written the theme and the orchestrator will take that along with the music from the rest of the film (to get an idea of the musical language and the music’s role in the film) and write a piece in the needed style. You also have orchestrators as ghostwriters for projects where the director wants a pop artist to ‘compose’ the score but the artist in question may not know how to write/read music or write for an orchestra, so the orchestrator will take the themes and whatever musical material the composer provides and turn that into the score (like in the Victory at Sea example above). The orchestrator role nowadays is probably one of the most diverse on the creative side of the film music scene in terms of their responsibility, ranging from full ghostwriting to arranging to transcribing audio files to the more traditional orchestration that you’re talking about. It basically depends on the available time in the project for the music to be written, composer’s skill or knowledge, or composer’s preference as to how the music is written and produced. In this particular situation, the orchestrator’s role is probably leaning more toward the arranging and cleanup/score preparation side than the strictly traditional orchestration side, but it all depends on how Christian wrote the music and what was delivered to the orchestrator.

[@praestant8]

Pete It is extremely rare that a composer for any media project be it film or TV has the time to actually write out the orchestral parts to the score even as they compose. They simply don’t have the time to be that detailed in their composition work to do the notated score. If a composer works with complete orchestral mock ups and proofs for a director it always gets handed to someone else to take midi data and produce the engraved score. Yes at that point it could be considered more arranging. For less gifted composers that cannot handle a complete orchestral pallet, an orchestrator will definitely be doing all the heaving lifting.

[@shanefiddle]

@@pete3816 So you are disagreeing with the film industry's use of the job title "orchestrator". It is just a job title. This person will appear in the credits after "orchestrated by". There are a million credits that scroll by after a good film: how many of the job titles do you think are completely accurate every time?

[@NickHintonMusic]

to see this for the first time after an emotional day is quite a treat. And to see the great Nicky Henson walk in and share some of it with you is just golden. Thanks Christian and everyone who put this fly on the wall.

[@SoundgramPost]

Amazing stuff Christian, also putting it up in full, thanks so much!

[@Arawashj]

That's just amazing to watch and experience live.

[@GermonoToussaint]

This is absolutely gorgeous.

[@checkmate545]

Christian, this is probably one of the most delicate pieces of work I've ever heard in my life. You are my new hero composer and yet like you, I can neither write or read music lol, however you seem to be doing fine looking at your composed notes :-)

[@Wasaia]

He's just faking it for the video :-). Puns aside, you gotta love the guy. So fun to watch him do his vlogs too.

[@wyshwood]

This is astonishing and wonderful. My dream to have an orchestra like this.

[@JohnMassari]

Splendid! Wonderful being there.

[@GeorgeStreicherMusic]

I can only imagine how much fun this is. It's my dream to do this some day soon!

[@flavourgregory]

I absolutely dig the composer's happy face at around 24 minutes. He had something beautiful in mind and now he hears it for real for the first time. It's stunning how the live strings mingle with those I believe pre-recorded French horns ? For a composer it's sometimes difficult to keep his fully concentrated/focussed cool while such beautjiful things are going on. Great video! Wow!

[@DeniseYoungMusic]

YES! It's like a bit of Heaven for him and us. :-)

[@upsidedown8512]

OMG, thank u guys for sharing this

[@newguy6935]

Incredibly inspiring.

[@jameshebb2143]

I really enjoyed this. One of the highlights of my life was sitting in on a session like this for a film. Just sat on the floor and soaked it all in. Lovely!

[@vleevision7787]

Seven movements recorded in three hours !!! AWESOMENESS!!! thank you Christian!!! So glad for your sharing man!!!

[@anxiousmindmusic]

Watching your score being performed like that must be incredible. I would probably be in tears tbh

[@prosper7452]

This was absolutely brilliant! Thank you so very much for putting this up

[@bellum128]

I would not even have a water bottle near that mixing console, that thing is probably worth more than two houses combined!

[@ClefferNotes]

Absolutely stunning! The score is beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@voenigs612]

Ordinary film music. For a trained classical musician a Sunday walk.

[@TreyM_channel]

@@voenigs612 Complexity != Good. Music either sounds excellent or it doesn't. Emotional impact > technical complexity. Even if this comment is nearly a year old, feel free to take your BS elitism up your rectum.

[@DoctorShocktor]

TreyM Lol, tense much. A bit over the top for a simple comment response.

[@ttrack9089]

The whole thing...Out of this world TALENT!

[@gooderdrums]

This video is sooo inspiring! Thank you to everyone who was involved in having this video made available

[@burnmic]

Incredible stuff... beautiful composition. From somebody who's primarily "in the box" this is both massively daunting and ridiculously inspiring in equal measure! I can't imagine what it must feel like to stand there hearing your own composition like that... and those celli.... bloody hell, gorgeous. I'm curious, how long did it take to write the score for this whole thing? As always, a real inspiration.. keep it up!

[@dougle03]

He says in the video that he's lived with it for 6 month to this point.

[@thirdfiddle3652]

This is an incredible experience. Thank you so much for sharing it. It reminded me the great scores of the fifties and sixties with an accentuated "mysterious" romanticist twist to it.. Beautiful...

[@kaspahauser]

amazing!!!

[@JpgeersingNl]

Wow Christian, thank you so much for sharing this. Stunning score, great people!

[@piipelipaapeli]

There are musicians and then there are Musicians. Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[@bhishmamusic]

RiB I got it.

[@soulfabuk]

Just one word Christian...awesome! Loving the score, the musicianship, the atmosphere it creates and most of all, the chance to watch the magic happen!!!

[@jbrupam8749]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year wishes to all. Thanks to one of the most loveliest & resourceful live orchestral recording video session done for a film-track : that what I always needed to see & learn from. I felt like i was looking at the scores for the entire 2 hours inside the Studio. Thanks to all who are directly and indirectly associated in making this GREAT VIDEO available to us.

[@Ty_N_KC]

Im super fresh into orchestra... I've always kind of enjoyed it but as i age I've really grown to appreciate it more. Watching this team throw down has been fantastic. Thanks for sharing!!

[@rahulborah7964]

A million thnx for uploading

[@violinhunter2]

Brings back memories. The chairs and floor are important - the mics pick up everything. These players are not only good technicians, they are superb readers. There is precious little time to rehearse anything. I'm guessing (if this is a day session) that players from the various London orchestras cannot be used since they have rehearsals to go to? Doing recording work is a little like exploring new worlds if you took a voyage to unknown parts of the world. You are hearing things for the very first time - giving birth to a new creation. It's quite different from rehearsing and playing the Beethoven 7th symphony for the fortieth time.

[@violinhunter2]

For the strings, recording often eliminates the need to bow everything the same. It's so nice that if something goes awry, you know it can be done again until it's near-perfect. The splicing technology nowadays is magnificent.

[@violinhunter2]

At 20:08 he asks for more ostinato and at 22:22 you can clearly hear more ostinato. It does make for a better balance with the rest of the orchestration.

[@shane_taylor]

This is as fascinating as it is educational. Christian's like a kid in a candy store here. I can feel his excitement. Love it!

[@tutubeos]

Amazing!

[@HarmonicaMustang]

I remember working on a 48 channel Neve 88D console during my audio production studies, it was a little brother of the console they use at Air Studios. Although I work in IT now, seeing a recording session makes me nostalgic and longing to work in a studio again. Sure, the 88D was a pain to configure and you needed to really think about your DSP resource distribution to avoid a bottleneck, but once setup and everyone is ready for a take, it was the most fulfilling and rewarding feelings one can experience. Nothing beats the feeling you get when everything works, the musicians are in their zone, and the mix blows you away.

[@malcolm75kemp]

Fiona is so cool!!Love her...

[@jemmahooper7415]

I'm so impressed by the clarity and precision of Christian's communications feedback to the conductor and players. That level of knowledge of the techniques of individual instruments and the ear to hear the difference between a take in the can and something needing rework is something I aspire to.

[@mtchampion3011]

Watched every second of it. Thank you.

[@dirkbrouns5293]

Many thanks - what an excellent display of professional recording at the top of the game. Really love the vibe in the CR also - clearly these professionals know how important a relaxed atmostphere is under this kind of pressure. Sounds amazing!

[@markgregory9238]

The clarity and thickness of sound is jaw dropping, the arrangement is haunting and powerful, the musicians are first class. I wonder if the Studet tape was the reason of thickness of sound? Bravo, brilliant!

[@juancan123]

Absolutely incredible

[@Obosii]

Amazing stuff!

[@drilldsindo]

29:49, what an amazing crescendo and a big improvement

[@allanblack294]

Very good thanks for posting this. Takes me back, I used to engineer sessions like this in Sydney. What immediately stands out, she says “Here it comes” I used to say, “Here we go” They were the days.

[@GuitarKitchen]

Amazing thanks for sharing!

[@WesleyWestMusic]

Just WOW! So cool! Thank you so much for sharing this!