Deborah Lurie scores Dear John
Posted on January 25, 2010 by Dan Goldwasser
Last fall, composer Deborah Lurie recorded her score for the new Lasse Hallström romantic drama, Dear John. Based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook), the film stars Channing Tatum as a soldier who falls for a college student (played by Amanda Seyfried) while he’s home on leave.
The Hollywood Studio Symphony performs on Dear John
Conducted by Tim Davies, the tender and emotional score was performed by a string and piano ensemble of the Hollywood Studio Symphony at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers. While Lurie’s score features some contemporary elements, with upbeat guitars pre-recorded by George Doering, the meat of the score is a heart-aching romantic one, featuring multiple themes.
Tim Davies conducts Dear John
The string section
George Doering performs the guitar pre-records
The cello section
Bassists Bart Samolis, Steve Dress and Mike Valerio
In the booth, scoring mixer Casey Stone brought everything together, as Deborah Lurie and orchestrator Abe Libbos provided feedback to the orchestra. Additional arrangements were provided by Zack Ryan, Chris Westlake and scoring assistant Peter Seibert. Music supervisor Season Kent, music editor Nancy Allen and director Lasse Hallström were all in from New York to attend the sessions, and provided additional feedback.
Conductor Tim Davies, orchestrator Abe Libbos and composer Deborah Lurie
Composer Deborah Lurie talks with director Lasse Hallström
The booth
Orchestra contractor Peter Rotter, scoring mixer Casey Stone and director Lasse Hallström (rear)
Music editor Nancy Allen and director Lasse Hallström
Orchestrator Abe Libbos and scoring assistant Peter Seibert
A "jam session" based around the score’s main themes was held during an evening session, featuring Randy Kerber on piano, Mike Valerio on bass, Charlie Bisharat on violin, and George Doering on guitar.
Mike Valerio, George Doering, Charlie Bisharat and Randy Kerber play during a jam session
Pianist Randy Kerber during the jam session
Dear John will sweep into theaters from Screen Gems on February 5, 2010. A soundtrack album will be released from Relativity Music Group on Tuesday, February 2nd, and a score album featuring Lurie’s music will also be available for digital download that same day.
Composer Deborah Lurie, director Lasse Hallström, guitarist George Doering, violinist Charlie Bisharat, pianist Randy Kerber, scoring mixer Casey Stone, bassist Mike Valerio and orchestra contractor Peter Rotter
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