Congratulations to the team – 2 Bafta wins for Editing and Best Specialist Factual.
Category: News
World Made By Women
A 4-part history of woman’s role in society in the last 3000 years. Presented by Amanda Foreman.
Grayson Perry – Who Are You?
June-August 2014 Another great art documentary series with Grayson Perry, culminating with an exhibition of his portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Album Recording
May 2014
Started album recording at Air – string ensemble conducted by Clarissa Farran and sound engineered by Olga Fitzroy.
Love For Sale • Channel 4
April 2014
A very interesting 2 episode doc about prostitution with a candid approach by presenter Rupert Everett.
Still available on 4oD if you missed it.
As always a real pleasure to work with Niel Crombie from Swan Films and editor Jake Martin.
Lecturing At Focal Basel, Switzerland
Avshalom is invited to give a series of talks about music in film and documentaries, composer-director communication and the process of producing a soundtrack.
The seminar will take place in Basel, Switzerland this coming weekend as part of FOCAL a foundation for professional training in cinema and audiovisual media.
BBC The Story of the Jews • 5 Episode series
Sept-Oct 2013
Simon Schama’s The Story of the Jews is on air this month over BBC 2.
This 5 hours of beautiful documentary was a fantastic and challenging project to score with string recording in Berlin and more recording of vocalists, soloists and mixing at Air Studios in London.
At least fifty percent of the music was written before the editing stages and the rest of the music was written during the edit.
The series will be broadcasted next in the US and later on many TV channels around the world .
Taste • BAFTA win!
MAY 2013
Congratulations Neil Crombie, Grayson Perry and all the team for winning BAFTA for Best Factual.
Special thanks to editor Jake Martin for your great ideas and involvement with the music.
It was great fun to be part of this project!
BBC series • Air Studios recording
FEBRUARY 2013
More recording for the BBC series, this time in the Hall at Air. Collaborating with two wonderful musicians – Clara Sanabras on vocals, guitars and harmonium and Samy Bishai on violin. Olga Fitzroy engineering and mixing for us. A big thank you to all at Air for a great few days!
BBC series • Berlin recording
DECEMBER 2012
Just back from recording in Berlin for this new 5-part BBC series. Berlin was chilled and snowy (see snowed-under bikes..), studio was nice and warm and we were graced with fantastic musicians from the Berlin Chamber Players. Will post some music when ready..
BBC series • with Simon Schama
NOVEMBER 2012
About to start work on this BBC series, presented by Simon Schama. This should be a really enjoyable project and will be ready in a few months. I’ll be composing for string ensemble plus a few soloists, and electronics. Most likely will be heading to Berlin for the recording in a month or so…
Best Music Award • Shanghai International Film Festival
JUNE 2012
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Av won the Golden Goblet Award for best score at the Shanghai Film Festival 2012 for the Spanish film ‘De tu ventana a la mia’ (‘Chrysalis’).
A big thank you to everyone involved in the production of the music and all the wonderful musicians and singers that took part in the recording –
And a very special thank you to the director Paula Ortiz.
Here are some tracks of this soundtrack:
Grayson Perry
JUNE 2012
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‘ALL IN THE BEST POSSIBLE TASTE…WITH GRAYSON PERRY’
CHANNEL 4
Av finished composing the music for this fascinating series presented by Grayson Perry. The programme is getting amazing reviews! Directed by Neil Crombie.
Special thanks to the film editor Jake Martin who was a great help in the creation of the music. You can still watch it on 4oD here
Live in Tel-Aviv
FEBRUARY 2012
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CONCERT SERIES IN ISRAEL – PERFORMING WITH CARMELA GROSS WAGNER
Av is in Tel Aviv, rehearsing for a set of five reunion concerts with Carmella Gross & Wagner after 17 years since their last recordings.
Katya Sourikova
JANUARY 2012
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Av is in Berlin working and recording with pianist Katya Sourikova on some piano arrangements of his orchestral film music works, produced by Clarissa Farran and Michael Avery.
Goya nomination
JANUARY 2012
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Avshalom has received a nomination for Best Original Song at the Spanish Film Academy ‘Goya’ Awards. The song is part of the original score he composed for the film ‘De Tu Ventana a la Mia‘ (‘Chrysalis’). The ceremony will take place in Madrid in February.
‘Taste’
DECEMBER 2011
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Av continues to compose for ‘Taste’. In this new Channel 4 series, artist Grayson Perry confronts one of the elephants in the room of British culture – the relationship between taste and social background in today’s Britain . Produced by Seneca Productions and directed by Neil Crombie.
‘Lost and Found’
NOVEMBER 2011
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‘LOST AND FOUND’ – WINNER OF THE 48-HOUR FILM CHALLENGE
Well done director Sam Washington for winning this years’ competition!
Great to be involved in this challenging project.
Here’s a link to Sam’s blog and to watch the film:
‘Smoke & Mirrors 48 hours film challenge’
NOVEMBER 2011
Av is providing the score for director Sam Washington’s short film ‘Lost and Found’, as part of SMOKE & MIRRORS 2011, the 48-hour film challenge… See what happens in the next 48 hours…
Seminci Film Festival
OCTOBER 2011
De Tu Ventana a la Mia has been selected for the Official Selection at the Seminci Film Festival in Valladolid, Spain, and will premier on 28th October. Here is the trailer:
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Composing for Grayson Perry’s ‘Taste’
SEPTEMBER 2011
Av is working on a 3 part series for Channel 4 produces by Seneca productions and directed by Niel Crombie. This series will also be a part of an exhibition which will take place early next year at the Victoria Miro gallery.
Ventana Recording
JUNE 2011
DTVALM – RECORDING AND MIXING AT AIR STUDIOS
We recorded the soundtrack for ‘De Tu Ventana a la Mía‘ at Air last week. It went really well – musicians were fantastic (contracted by Hilary Skewes). Music was produced by Clarissa Farran, and recording and mixing taken care of by Jake Jackson & Fiona Cruickshank.
‘De Tu Ventana a la Mía’
APRIL 2011
Av is composing the score and original song for this beautiful Spanish feature film directed by Paula Ortiz Alvarez and produced by Amapola Films.
RTS Awards 2011
FEBRUARY 2011
RTS AWARDS 2011
Congratulations to all!
The Genius of British Art is nominated for best art documentary.
At Home with the Georgians is nominated for best historical documentary.
Annie Lennox called off…!
NOVEMBER 2010
Unfortunately the concert with Annie Lennox has been called off!
‘At Home with the Georgians’
NOVEMBER 2010
3 Episode docu-drama is to be broadcast this month on BBC 2
Annie Lennox Christmas Concert
OCTOBER 2010
Av is working on orchestral and choral arrangements for a special Annie Lennox Christmas Concert – BBC Sessions – to be recorded early November and will be broadcast in December. More details to follow…
The Genius Of British Art
OCTOBER 2010
THE GENIUS OF BRITISH ART
The 6 x 1 hour series will start broadcasting on Channel 4 on Sunday 3rd October, 7pm (and same time on each consecutive Sunday). Accompanying the series will be a set of talks at the National Gallery hosted by each presenter as part of the Friday Lates programme – see link below for further details.
New BBC commission
JULY 2010
Having completed ‘Genius of British Art’ for Channel 4 Av is working on ‘Behind Close Doors’ a new BBC commission due out in October 2010.
‘The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister’ is out…
MAY 2010
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THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS ANNE LISTER
UK Broadcast date: 31st May 2010, 9pm BBC2.
The film is enjoying success in film festivals around the world. In London screenings have taken place at BAFTA and at the opening of the 24th BFI LLGF Festival 2010.
Berlin/London – Recording the music for ‘The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister’
MARCH 2010
February saw the recording and mixing of the score to Anne Lister. The string orchestra was recorded in Berlin and the overdubs and mixes back in London.
The film has been chosen to open the 24th BFI LLGF Festival 2010 (screening at the Odeon Leicester Square on 17th March) and will be on some big screens around London.
The BBC2 TV broadcast date is still TBC. Will most likely be sometime in May..
The Genius of British Art
MARCH 2010
Avshalom is now working on a landmark series for Channel 4 celebrating four centuries of British Art. The 6 x 1 hour episodes will be broadcast in late summer.
BBC2 Period Drama
JANUARY 2010
THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS ANE LISTER
After 2 months of traveling around India (!) Avshalom is now back and ready to work on the music for this BBC2 drama. James Kent directs this production written by Jane English and starring Maxine Peake.
BBC Electric Proms 2009 – Great gig…
OCTOBER 2009
BBC ELECTRIC PROMS 2009
The gig at the Roundhouse on 22nd October with Doves and the London Bulgarian Choir was a great success and received very good reviews. Here’s some of what they wrote about Avshalom’s arrangements:
‘On Kingdom Of Rust …they added Ennio Morricone-esque gravitas or Catch the Sun where they were as uplifting as Polyphonic Spree, the Bulgarians made already fine songs even better, transforming the good to great, the earthbound to celestial.’ Evening Standard
‘The unique phrasing techniques used by the choir perfectly enhanced Doves soaring post Dance melodies, creating real moments of transcendental beauty on tracks like Kingdom of Rust and The Last Broadcast, and on final track There Goes the Fear pushed the band’s famous supersonic Samba wig out to a new zone.’ Julie Cullen, BBC Radio 6
‘…having Avshalom Caspi re-work some of the band’s tracks to incorporate the 40-strong London Bulgarian Choir. Third track ‘Firesuite’ was the first to receive this treatment, which served to emphasize the cinematic and epic nature of some of the Doves music.’ EMI
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BBC Electric Proms 2009
OCTOBER 2009
Great short film by Holly Murray documenting the creative process that went on in preparation for the Electric Proms gig.
Rehearsals with Bulgarians and Doves in full swing
OCTOBER 2009
Avshalom and the choir have been rehearsing the material the last couple of weeks. Yesterday, the band and choir came together for their first rehearsal at Angel Studios in Islington. This is going to be one great gig – the combination of the two is amazing. Doves are a great band…
BBC E.Proms 09 – Doves & the London Bulgarian Choir!
OCTOBER 2009
Avshalom has teamed up with Doves and the London Bulgarian Choir, and is composing vocal arrangements for the choir to sing at Doves’ Electric Proms show at London’s Roundhouse on 22nd October 2009. The arranging work on this project is a challenge, the aim being to compose material for the choir which will remain true to the Bulgarian style of singing whilst still fitting within Western-style harmony and song writing structures. The combination is fantastic! Really enjoying this one…
‘Noitcelfer’ – commission for ensemble, electronics and voiceover
SEPTEMBER 2009
Avshalom has been commissioned to compose Noitcelfer (‘reflection’ backwards) a piece which explores the idea of reflection – whether it be physical or metaphorical – through the means of music, sound and image. Written for string quartet, piano, harp, voice-over and electronics with visuals by artist / designer Assa Ashuach. To be performed on 12th September 2009, 8.30pm at the NNLS Hall in London.
9/11 Phonecalls from the Towers
AUGUST 2009
9/11 PHONECALLS FROM THE TOWERS
Av is commissioned to compose the music for ‘9/11 Calls’. A documentary film about some of the many voice messages that were left by the victims who were trapped in the Twin Towers and how their families are living with their loss, the memories and grief. He will be recording the score with a string orchestra in Berlin at the end of August. TX on 6th September ’09, Channel 4.
My Life in Verse BBC 2
JANUARY – APRIL 2009
Part of the BBC’s Poetry Season ’09, Avshalom has completed the score for the BBC documentary series ‘My Life In Verse’ of 4 episodes, 1 hour each, about British poetry. Episodes presented by Sheila Hancock, Rob Webb, Cerys Matthews and Malorie Blackman. Directed by Ian Macmillan, James Kent, Mark Halliley and Mark Bates. To be broadcast from Friday, 29 May 2009 – 19 June 2009 on BBC2.
Later… With Jools Holland + Snow Patrol
OCTOBER 2008
You can catch Avshalom waving his arms, conducting his brass & choral arrangements on BBC’s Later… with Jools Holland with Snow Patrol and members of the Exmoor Singers of London on Friday 17 Oct.
Bafta nomination for Meta4orce!
OCTOBER 2008
Well done guys for getting the series nominated!
Snow Patrol’s ‘A Hundred Million Suns’
AUGUST 2008
WORKING WITH PRODUCER JACKNIFE LEE ON SNOW PATROL’S ‘A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS’
After working on Bloc Party’s album. Avshalom is teeming up once more with producer Jacknife Lee, composing brass and choral arrangements for Snow Patrol’s new album, A Hundred Million Suns. With the Exmoor Singers of London and a great brass section put together by Hilary Skewes. Recording at Olympic Studios in Barnes sometime in late August. Album release date 28 October ’08.
Meta4orce on BBC2
APRIL 2008
META40RCE
Composing the score for this BBC 2 futuristic animated detective series directed by Alex Norris and scheduled for June 2008.
Arrangements for Bloc Party’s new album ‘Intimacy’
MARCH 2008
After the success of their collaboration in the Electric Proms last October, Avshalom has been composing choral and brass arrangements for Bloc Party’s next album, Intimacy, produced by Jacknife Lee.
Release date 27 October ‘08
Collaboration with artist Assa Ashuach – State of Consonance
DECEMBER 2007
‘State of Consonance’
Avshalom is collaborating with artist / designer Assa Ashuach working on the audio-visual piece ‘State of Consonance’ to be exhibited at the Italian Cultural Center in London from the 24th Jan 2008 until 14 March 2008.
Av joins Yasmin Levy at Ronnie Scott’s
NOVEMBER 2007
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RONNIE SCOTT’S
Av. was invited to play as a guest at Yasmin Levy‘s recent gig at Ronnie Scott’s in London, marking the launch of her magical new album Mano Suave, on which Avshalom has arranged the song Como La Roza.
BRICK LANE and CHAOTIC ANA premiere in London
NOVEMBER 2007
BRICK LANE and CHAOTIC ANA, two films on which Av. has orchestrated/produced the music together with composer Jocelyn Pook, premiere in London in a few days. Go see these movies if you can – they’re both very good!
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NOVEMBER 1 – LONDON FILM FESTIVAL – CHAOTIC ANA
Directed by Julio Medem.
NOVEMBER 3 – LONDON FILM FESTIVAL -BRICK LANE
Directed by Sarah Gavron
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BBC Electric Proms 2007 with Bloc Party – the crowd went mad for it!
BBC Electric Proms 2007 – Interview with Bloc Party’s Matthew Tong
OCTOBER 2007
Here is a short video of an interview with BLOC PARTY’s drummer Matthew Tong – speaking of the upcoming collaboration with Avshalom and the choir once we’d all got into rehearsals.
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BBC Electric Proms 2007 with Bloc Party
OCTOBER 2007
Avshalom is currently working on choral arrangements and compositions for a special performance of Indie-Rock band BLOC PARTY. The concert will take place at the BBC’s Electric Proms festival (27 October). On this exciting project Av is collaborating again with the wonderful Exmoor Singers of London.
Great Wall of China
SEPTEMBER 2007
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THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
Composing the soundtrack for a 120 minutes documentary film about the story of the building of the Great Wall of China. To broadcasted on the 1st October 07on UK’s Channel 4 and Discovery Channel worldwide..
Chaotic Ana Orchestrations – Julio Medem / Jocelyn Pook
JUNE 2007
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CHAOTIC ANA / JULIO MEDEM / JOCELYN POOK
Orchestrating the soundtrack for the film Caotica Ana together with composer Jocelyn Pook. A beautiful piece by Spanish director Julio Medem.
Avshalom Caspi • Composer 