Cover Ahead of ‘La La Land’ in Concert in Singapore, we catch up with Justin Hurwitz as he shares the magic of bringing the film’s iconic soundtrack to life (Photo: Courtesy of Justin Hurwitz)
Ahead of ‘La La Land’ in Concert in Singapore, we catch up with Justin Hurwitz as he shares the magic of bringing the film’s iconic soundtrack to life (Photo: Courtesy of Justin Hurwitz)
1 / 1
Ahead of ‘La La Land’ Live in Concert in Singapore that’s happening from March 17 to 19, we catch up with the American film composer and television writer as he shares the magic of bringing the film’s iconic soundtrack to life
Since its release in 2016, romance musical La La Land has gained popularity and critical acclaim, receiving 14 Academy Award nominations and winning six Oscars. On top of being praised for its captivating plot, written and directed by Damien Chazelle, and vibrant cinematography that pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood, the film is loved for its iconic soundtrack composed by Justin Hurwitz.
Hurwitz’s journey in Hollywood is deeply intertwined with director Chazelle’s. The two met as freshmen and bandmates at Harvard, laying the groundwork for a long-standing collaboration. By the time Chazelle began working on his first feature film Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench in 2009, their partnership was already well-established. Their creative bond has since flourished across five feature films.
The composer’s breakthrough came with La La Land, which earned him two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. For the iconic soundtrack, he shares how he drew inspiration from everything from French New Wave (a French art film movement) scores to classical music and jazz. “There was some experimentation especially when it comes to the rhythm section of the orchestration,” he adds. For example, he remembers overhauling the arrangement of Another Day of Sun after a test screen to give it more of a jazz drum groove.
In case you missed it: Japanese pianist and composer Hayato Sumino on pushing the boundaries of classical music
Above Hurwitz is set to grace our shores this March for La La Land in Concert (Photo: Courtesy of Justin Hurwitz)
Hurwitz is set to grace our shores this March for La La Land in Concert (Photo: Courtesy of Justin Hurwitz)
1 / 1
This March, Hurwitz is set to grace our shores and bring with him La La Land in Concert. Adding a new dimension to the movie, the concert will see local symphony orchestra Metropolitan Festival Orchestra performing the score live to the film. Hurwitz will take the stage as the conductor, leading the orchestra through the iconic musical numbers synonymous with the film.
“I love conducting the concerts. I love feeling the audience behind me, experiencing the ups and downs of the movie, and I get to relive the story and emotions of La La Land each time,” he shares. The composer always plays around with the music, tweaking and improving various parts.
The live orchestra perfectly synchronises with the film. Hurwitz shares that it takes a fair amount of adaptation to achieve this level of concurrence. As there are improvisational elements tucked into the score, the concert is never the same. While he divulges how he synchronises the orchestra perfectly with the film in this interview with Tatler, he muses: “I’d rather people [seeing the show] believe that it’s magic!”
Above The composer always plays around with the music, tweaking and improving various parts. (Photo: Courtesy of Justin Hurwitz)
The composer always plays around with the music, tweaking and improving various parts. (Photo: Courtesy of Justin Hurwitz)
1 / 1
The upcoming La La Land in Concert in Singapore is one of the latest initiatives by Future Classic, a local presenter that looks to shape the future of classical music in Singapore and beyond. The latest concert not only showcases Hurwitz’s remarkable talent but also highlights the innovative efforts of Future Classic in bridging the gap between Hollywood and Singapore’s music scene.
By bringing top music producers like Hurwitz to collaborate with local musicians, including the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Future Classic hopes to further develop Singapore’s music industry. Beyond Hollywood, the local company also believes in supporting and advancing young musical talents through masterclasses, mentorship programmes and performance opportunities.
Ahead of the highly anticipated concert, we catch up with the composer as he shares his experience in the industry, the evolution of the film’s music and more.
Above The composer’s breakthrough came with ‘La La Land’, which earned him two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Photo: Getty Images)
The composer’s breakthrough came with ‘La La Land’, which earned him two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Photo: Getty Images)
1 / 1
Can you describe your creative process when composing for film? How did you collaborate with Damien Chazelle to develop the musical landscape of La La Land?
I started working on musical ideas as soon as Damien sent me a treatment, which is like a synopsis of the story. As he fleshed it out into a full screenplay and did his many drafts, I worked on hundreds of piano demos until we had the right themes and song melodies.
What is your process when it comes to creating your own compositions?
When I’m composing, I sit at the piano for long hours and make piano demos. It’s the most frustrating part of the process because I never know when a great melody is going to come. Once I get to later stages like orchestrating I enjoy it much more, because I feel like I’m painting within lines that have already been drawn. It’s drawing those lines that are the hardest part.
Above When he composing, he sits at the piano for long hours and make piano demos (Photo: Getty Images)
When he composing, he sits at the piano for long hours and make piano demos (Photo: Getty Images)
1 / 1
How does conducting the La La Land score live differ from your experience composing it?
I love conducting the concerts. I love feeling the audience behind me, experiencing the ups and downs of the movie, and I get to relive the story and emotions of La La Land each time. I also love playing around with the music. I still try to improve on certain things, since I feel like I’m never done with the music.
What were the biggest challenges in adapting a film score for a live concert performance?
It takes a fair amount of adaptation to make sure that it can be performed straight through since in the recording studio, we get one section at a time, stopping and starting. It was also fun to figure out the spots where we wanted the musicians to play the exact notes that are in the recorded score and where they can improvise as jazz musicians do. Because there are improvisational elements tucked into the score, the concert is never the same twice.
Above Hurwitz believes that the story of ‘La La Land’ resonates with people because the notion of dreams and the desire to do something special is a universal experience (Photo: Getty Images)
Hurwitz believes that the story of ‘La La Land’ resonates with people because the notion of dreams and the desire to do something special is a universal experience (Photo: Getty Images)
1 / 1
What’s your favourite moment in the La La Land concert?
The big Mia and Sebastian’s Theme piano solo is always a thrill and it’s nerve-wracking to get through the very fast and difficult material with the pianist perfectly in sync with Ryan Gosling’s hands. My other favourite part is the end credits because it means we made it and I can exhale!
Why do you think La La Land and its music have resonated so strongly with audiences worldwide?
I think the story resonates with people because the idea of dreaming and wanting to do something special is relatable to so many people. The relationship story too is so common, having somebody from our past who changed us and we had a great moment with, but who wasn’t meant to be in our lives forever. When it comes to the music, I worked very very hard to find some melodies that would move people and stick in their memories.
Above ‘La La Land’ in Concert is set to happen in Singapore from March 17 to 19 (Photo: Shutterstock)
‘La La Land’ in Concert is set to happen in Singapore from March 17 to 19 (Photo: Shutterstock)
1 / 1
What are you most looking forward to about bringing the La La Land concert to Singapore?
The Esplanade looks like such a beautiful venue on the water, so I’m looking forward to seeing it in person. I’ve also heard the food is great in Singapore!
What can audiences expect from you in the years to come?
Damien and I are getting ready to make our next film, which will hopefully be out in 2026. I’m also working on the stage musical adaptation for La La Land, which will hopefully be on Broadway and beyond in a couple of years.
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
