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| Defiant Jews music to Joshua’s ears | |
And it was this fact that convinced top violinist Joshua Bell to perform on the film’s score. He said: “We all have this image from the Holocaust of Jews being led to their slaughter. So it’s good to have another view of what went on and the Bielski partisans were an incredibly brave group. “I was shocked that I’d never heard this story — it was eye-opening for me. “I would have performed on the score even without having my own Jewish connection because it is an incredible, very compelling story.” Joshua’s maternal grandparents, Gertrude and Maurice Levine, were Jewish and his grandmother actually lived in Belarus as a child, not far from where the story takes place. His mother, Shirley, is Jewish, although his father is non-Jewish. “I didn’t grow up in a religious family,” he said. “But I always felt very culturally Jewish and most of the family I knew while growing up were from the Jewish side. “I have always felt connected to Judaism.” Before reaching the studio, Joshua, of Manhattan, was sent a DVD of the film without any music and “was so impressed” he “jumped on board immediately”. He said: “The composer, James Newton Howard, decided the violin would be a good thread through the film because of its close ties to Jewish heritage. “He knew I liked doing music for films if the project interests me enough and asked if I’d do it. “The violin is so central to Jewish tradition in that part of Europe and it’s also a sound that goes straight to the heart.” He added: “What James and I worked on was a balancing act to strike just the right tone — powerful but not melodramatic. “The music in the film is sad and soulful, which is very true of much Jewish music. “The violin is a very touching instrument and the way it is used in the film is very moving.” He continued: “The music was brought to me completed, although there were things we had to change and juice up a bit in the studio. “There is an element of having to get the timing right with the film, but the basic music-making is the same as when I’m normally in a studio.” Joshua has previously recorded a Gershwin album with film-scores legend John Williams, who he calls a “brilliant guy”, and has also worked on the soundtrack for Ladies in Lavender. In addition, he performed the solo on the Oscar-winning soundtrack for the film The Red Violin. “Recording a score is a fascinating process,” he said. “It’s a real skill for composers to know when to use music and I enjoy seeing how it is all put together. “I’ve been to one screening so far where I got to meet many of the actors.” He continued: “I’ve not yet met Daniel Craig, who I think is a wonderful actor. “Its good to see his serious acting side after watching him as James Bond.” Joshua’s latest CD is Vivaldi — The Four Seasons (Sony Classical). Watch the trailer for Defiance...
Defiance album on iTunes... Click on the links below to listen to mp3 clips from Defiance...
1. DEFIANCE MAIN TITLES
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Joshua Bell