A warm breeze, a full moon, and the unmistakable shimmer of strings, there are few better places to spend a Tuesday night than under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl, especially when you’re in the company of one of cinema’s great modern composers. French maestro Alexandre Desplat took the stage (and the baton) for a rare and lovely evening conducting his own work, bringing his signature dry wit and self-deprecating charm along with him.
The Scores of Alexandre Desplat moved through Desplat’s vast, elegant filmography (some of it familiar, some not), but all of it distinctly his. Delicate and driving selections from The Imitation Game stood out as a clear highlight, as did the quiet tenderness of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A royal suite weaving together themes from The King’s Speech, The Queen, and The Lost King brought a regal grace to the night without ever tipping into pomp.
There were no film clips, no distracting visuals, just the music. It was a refreshing reminder of how powerful a film score can be when given room to breathe. The Bowl’s classical Tuesday approach let Desplat’s compositions shine on their own terms, showcasing the intricacy and emotion embedded in every note.
See Also: Concert Review: Scored Stiff – A Night of “Jaws” at the Hollywood Bowl
The encore, a personal favorite, was the waltz from Birth, the haunting film led by Nicole Kidman, whose score, in my opinion, is one of Desplat’s most mesmerizing. Hearing it live was pure magic.
What a gift to witness a composer not only share his work but shape it in real time. Desplat doesn’t just write music; he sculpts emotion, and for one night in Hollywood, he brought that craftsmanship to life right in front of us.
Similar themed nights coming up are:
- Maestro of the Movies: The Music of John Williams on Aug 22nd-24th
- Jurassic Park in Concert on August 8th and 9th
For information on upcoming events and tickets, visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.
