Musical adaptation / Orchestration / Reharmonisation / Countermelodies / Production / Mix - SIMON ROBERTS

Thanks to John Barry Expert DAVID ARNOLD for some excellent feedback/advice; Drums created by Grime pioneer, SHAUN HEDLEY.

Not actually having a remit for this, but finding it a fabulous project from ITV, I had to imagine one! 

The ITV PR releases regarding the "Ipcress File" remake, describe it as "High-octane." And it has been confirmed that the intention was to use John Barry's original score, at least in part.

So here is my "high-octane" reading of the original score, adjusting, re-writing and adapting where necessary. The Cimbalon IS there, but it's not the "lead instrument," as I fe;lt there was a danger of that 'shackling us" to the iconic original orchestration. I introduced a 'crazed, fluttering tongued solo trumpet put through delay' to evoke the Cold War's atmosphere of brittle paranoia. The trumpet is also intended to capture something of Palmer's forever living on his nerves, unable to truly trust anybody. Includes ideas for psychedelia sequences at the end.

There's a nod in the direction of Jeff Beal's brilliant theme for "House Of Cards," with the little Viola counter-melody in the 2nd phrase of the 1st part, and subtle references to things like Glenn Miller, harking back to the 2nd World War, and the murky legacy that Ipcress tackles.

Shaun Hedley's superb rhythmic writing comes to the fore in the middle 8, and as a pioneer of the Grime movement his drums ensure the theme sound bang up to date, with a "Grime/Hip Hop" groove throughout, which works surprisingly well when juxtaposed with the jazzy swinging harmonies.

The final section features a reprise of Barry's main theme. But I've set that back in the mix, and written some jagged, swirling, jarring countermelodies, that gently, but firmly begin to move the musical focus away from a 'purist' reading of Barry's original, and pave the way for some exciting original writing from me, during the course of the 6 episodes.

I was careful NOT to make it sound too "Bond-like" in this final section, remarking to David Arnold one time, "so whatever you do in the Bond scores, I'm going to do the opposite!"

The final section is designed to slip from the title credits into the drama, and is just one of many ideas I have for the "psychedelic" sequences. 

I stress, I haven't got this job. I might even be too late. But several friends and colleagues urged me to pursue it. And being relatively new to the Mainstream Media Music family, I'm having difficulty in actually pinning down the right executive to send this to. 

So, following Neil Brand's advice, I'm altering the setting of this to "Public," so EVERYONE can hear it. 

And - if anyone from Altitude Films hears, and likes it - would they please get in touch!

Music re-arranged, adapted, re-orchestrated, re-harmonised by:
Simon Roberts
office@classicalbanksy.com

"IPCRESS FILE REMAKE" (ITV) - Demo Title Sequence Theme, with David Arnold and Shaun Hedley

Michael Sheen performing Dylan Thomas' poem, "Do not go gentle into that good night," music by SIMON ROBERTS / CLASSICALBANKSY

This will NOT be for sale anywhere, it's merely intended as a tribute to a great actor, and humanitarian, Michael Sheen, as well as a chance for me to practice my cinematography!

The video version is here:

https://youtu.be/_t37nR8KZj8

"DO NOT GO GENTLE" performed by MICHAEL SHEEN, Music by Classicalbanksy

First in a new collaboration with writer James Anderson. The singer is Andy Williamson.

"I WAS MADE TO LOVE YOU" James Anderson, Feat. Andy Williamson (produced by Classicalbanksy)

Am reposting this - as it is BY FAR my best dance remix!

Work (Masters At Work) Feat. Louise Belfon (Remix Nr. 2 Classicalbanksy)

Featuring soundbites from Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.

"GONE TO THE MOON" - The Race for Space Mix (JK - remixed Classicalbanksy)

New gem of a song by a STUNNING NEW DUTCH ARTISTE, CATHERLIJN GELDERLOOS.

She's only 18, just started college in Holland. But watch this space - we'll be working on an EP together over the next couple of years, and I think she might just be "ADELE 2.0"

"You, the Sun" - Catherlijn Gelderloos (produced by Classicalbanksy)

Thoroughly influenced by the great man himself, Trevor Horn, this features samples from Jack Nicholson (The Shining, Batman) and the late, great Pete Postlethwaite (The Omen) with additional vocals by my mate and porn star Brodie Newport! 

What Trevor would say, I have no idea! The 'concept' behind this was - instead of us all weeping and howling, if the Antichrist ever DID show up, what if everyone decided to throw a party instead?!

"Antichrist" feat. Jack Nicholson, Pete Postlethwaite and Brodie Newport

The first piece of music sung by Klaus Nomi I've worked on. I tried to interpret a "glimpse" into this fascinating theatrical icon. His shows were - by the end of the 70s - the hottest ticket in town in NYC.

But you cannot escape the tragedy of it all. Klaus died of complications due to AIDS in August 1983: the very EVE of the MTV era - an epoch for which, you could argue, he was made. But Fate had other, crueller plans, and he was taken away from us, too soon, and too awfully. He died at a point when it wasn't even known as AIDS: it was being referred to as GRID - "Gay-Related Immune Deficiency." That disastrous, and bigoted assumption of a direct correlation between AIDS and "being gay" would lead to literally hundreds of thousands of needless casualties. And I've yet to hear any kind of apology from "the Conservative Right" on the point. 

And as we humans tend to do, when confronted with an issue that has become impossible to put right, we've just walked away, hoping it would "sort itself out," and that "time would heal." 

I'm not sure it will on this one, however. HIV/AIDS was the greatest threat to Humanity since the Black Death in the Middle Ages. And because we failed to deal with it in a balanced, and enlightened manner, a manner we would like to think we possess, when in fact we don't, we ended up massively exacerbating the problem. To such an extent that even today - over 30 years later - HIV is not considered "just" a long-term manageable medical condition, oh no. Still today, for many, it is an excuse to pejoratively judge one's presumed lifestyle, and more readily as an opportunity for condemnation of a presumption of one's sexual promiscuity. That's how "enlightened" we are in reality. That's how far short of what was needed we fell. And I think for these reasons, we should be ashamed of ourselves.

Thankfully, I derive more inspiration and creativity by focussing not on our historical social shortcomings, but on the legacy of this remarkable artist, Klaus Sperber, better known as Klaus Nomi. 

I'm slowly evolving ideas for an opera about him. I think that - as an ex-opera singer myself, whose opera career was also cut short by HIV - is the best way I can celebrate and appreciate what he gave us.

And because is IMPORTANT, and about an IMPORTANT artistic icon - I'll write that opera on my own terms, and in my own time...

Cold Song (Klaus Nomi) - Classicalbanksy Remix

This is Ray's original track. I've also included on here my 2015 remix of Futureblind, which Ray adored.

"Futureblind" (original track by Ray Tarantino)

This was done for a competition - www.newretrowave.com/contests-and-competitions/

Wish me luck!

'85 Again (Robert Parker, Feat Miss K, remixed by Simon Roberts)

"America is good... And if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great..."

This was the first track I released commercially.... 

Love and thanks to my college mates, "The RAM Boys:" 

Andrew Keeping - Guitars (keepingmusic.co.uk)
Oliver Preece - Trumpets
Justin Thorogood - Trombone

Thanks too to Jonathan King for some savvy advice about the title! 

And thanks to you, for taking the time to listen to it. 

The album "Transgenre" will be out in Feb 2022..

Simon (Classicalbanksy) xx

"The American Dream?" (2021 mix)

I composed both theme and incidental music for The Manorial Society of Great Britain's "Magna Carta - Tyranny and Absolute Rule." 

This is one of the episodes (Episode 12 of 24). I took the opening trumpet fanfare from John Barry's 1968 film-score of "The Lion in Winter," which Robert Smith references in his script, added  harmony, then used the resulting harmonic sequence at various points during the episode. 

To the best of my knowledge, having researched thoroughly, the Te Deum heard towards the end of the episode IS the same one that was sung in Rome at the time.

"Magna Carta - Tyranny and Absolute Rule"(music by Simon Roberts), episode 12

My Composer Assignment 2, from the Hans Zimmer Film Score Masterclass - "Sherlock - Sudden Realisation Theme"

Hans Zimmer Composer Assignment 2 (Sherlock)

This track is dedicated to Manchester, where my Dad's family hail from, with all my love. 

I wrote this within 48 hours of hearing Tony's extraordinary performance of his poem "This is the Place" at the memorial event, the day after the Manchester atrocity in May 2017. I can honestly say I wrote this music with tears pouring down my face. 

I got in touch with Tony Walsh, and offered to release the track in aid of the victims and their families. Tony had been deluged with music from all over the world. It seemed I wasn't the only musician who reacted by doing what musicians do best - writing music! 

He told me they'd chosen another version as the official charity record, and so couldn't - at this point - grant me permission to release my track. Since then, Tony has been wonderful, in understanding how important a piece is to as young(fish) composer just starting out - and in fact has retweeted this link on several occasions on Twitter, for which I'll be forever grateful to him. 

If you would like to donate to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, to help the families of those injured and bereaved, Please - for the love of Manchester, go to www.redcross.org.uk/manchester. call 0300 456 4999 or visit the M.E.N’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westandtogethermanchester

On behalf of Tony, myself, and everyone in Manchester - THANK YOU AND MUCH LOVE xxx

"This is the Place" (feat. poet Tony Walsh)

Bringing back this great remix of a classic McCartney love song, I did a couple of years ago. Think Paul sounds GREAT in Bollywood, don't you?!

"WATERFALLS" (Paul McCartney) Classicalbanksy Remix

When Alan Bailey played me this track, I was hoping he would ask me to remix it. After finally managing to get Ian McKetty (pictured) into a studio to re-record the vocals, I was able to finish the Classicalbanksy remix of "Kill." I reimagined Ian's original idea of a serial killer, in order to explore the notional psyche of ISIS Jihadis returning from Syria, so anaesthetised by war, they were unable to stop killing. The original song, penned by by Richard Hall, Alan Bailey and Ian McKetty is here https://soundcloud.com/mcal27/kill and we'll release this as single in early 2018.

"Kill" (Classicalbanksy Remix)

Love, awe, gratitude and pride at the involvement on this track of vocalist Andrew Watts, guitarist Andrew Keeping and Flugelhorn Oliver Preece. It was composed by Yours Truly, and I decided to invite Klaus' original MD, Man Parrish to mix the final version.

This track is going to be available from World AIDS Day, December 1st 2018 on iTunes, Spotify and all other platforms.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sei-il-mio-nomi-single/1447251286


And we're doing this because we wanted to enable anyone who lost Loved Ones to the AIDS epidemic, to download this track, as an act of Remembrance. From the 1st December, all proceeds will go to nominated AIDS Charities Worldwide. 

Please help us to help those affected by AIDS, by downloading and sharing this link, and encouraging everyone who falls in love with this track, as we have done, to come back and buy a copy, so we can help heal some of the wounds of that terrible human catastrophe.

Much love to All, Simon, Manny, Andrew, Andrew and Oliver.

And finally, a very Special Thanks to Cathy Newman, Amelia Jenne and all at Channel Four News and ITN in the UK for their encouragement and support!

"SEI IL MIO NOMI" - Feat. ANDREW WATTS, ANDREW KEEPING and OLIVER PREECE

A unique George Michael tribute - a song written "from his perspective." 

“In Memoriam” The George Michael Tribute Song

Apple / iTunes:

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/in-memoriam-single/1496975711?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Spotify 

https://presave.to/pCLBA00DB1

(Mastered by Mike Hillier at www.thisismetropolis.com, Distributed by Kate Hendry at Absolute Services)

"IN MEMORIAM" - a song "from" George Michael - by CLASSICALBANKSY
Lyrics:

The Look was good, The Songs were right,
(I was)Enchanted, It’s granted -
You’d have made the same mistakes, 
Had you been me my friend.

For my Mother’s Pride, I tried to hide,
And put in place - some innocent and foolish face.
How could anyone have known - that this would be my end.

Then, like a gift from God - an Angel came my way,
To Whom I could give my heart, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
But the deadliest of irony, that took him away from me - 
It was plain to see, Would come back for me.
I had no choice, I could not bear my destiny -
Without the Angel who loved me,
I wanted to be with the Angel who loved me.

***Instrumental***

Now that we’re worlds apart, it’s easier to say:
I know that I should not have walked away,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
(Yeah) I must apologise, I was too scared to recognise,
Didnt realise I was paralysed.
So grateful that you heard me without prejudice.
But I just couldn’t love me.
I have always loved you, but I just could not love me.

(Words and Music copyright 2019 Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy / Lyric Media Group)

"In Memoriam" - a song from George Michael, by Classicalbanksy

OUT NOW across all streaming platforms, and via iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/futureblind-single/1424744936

If you like the track, PLEASE - click the link, buy yourself a copy to keep forever, and help me to complete the album TRANSGENRE - for YOU, which I just know you will just LOVE! Pop, Opera, Hip Hop, Grime, Trap, Classical, Progressive Dance, QUALITY MUSIC that brings these forces together like no one has EVER done before!

My sincere thanks to Ivo Grasso at Massive Arts Milano for his acquiescence on Ray's behalf, but most especially to the two musicians who just make this remix of mine something very, very special: 

Of course - Ray Tarantino - for a GEM of a song in the first place - it was a delight to work with you, thank you for letting me 'do my thing!'

And to my wonderful mate, and occasional musical partner in crime, Andrew Keeping, for some sumptuous ad lib guitar playing the quality and beauty of which are just out of this world, and which grab me every time I listen to this track.

And to Simon Napier-Bell, who didn't know me from Adam, but who was gracious enough to have a listen, and commented that Futureblind was:

"... a massively rewarding listen. A massage for the ears..."

He didn't know it at the time, but that was a big deal for me, as he was the first seriously influential music industry figure to comment publicly on my work. Simon - thank you x

Futureblind (Ray Tarantino, remixed by Classicalbanksy)

Opening section of "The OA Suite" - music  based on, and inspired by, the hit Netflix series, "The OA."

THE OA SUITE 2019 - Opening

My musical depiction of how The OA and her father might meet again..

THE OA SUITE 2019 - Papa's Theme

My vocal 'revisiting' of the main theme from "The OA."

THE OA SUITE 2019 - "Let My Key Be C" - Vocal Adaptation

My "OA Suite 2019," taking both established music from the hit Netflix show, and mixes it in with new material I have composed or in some places adapted, in the hope that it develops and enhances the musical smorgasbord on offer, in this totally unique and exquisite piece of entertainment.

THE OA SUITE 2019 - Renata

OUT 10th JUNE 2019 - IF YOU DON'T BUY IT, WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN!!!

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC, ENJOY THE SOUND… THINK OF NAZANIN SAGHARI-RATCLIFFE AND HOPE FOR HER SPEEDY HOMECOMING, 

And, if you like and appreciate this track, then PLEASE - SHARE IT, TALK ABOUT IT, RETWEET IT, REMIND PEOPLE OF IT… Help me make it FLY! 

Thank you, and God Bless, Classicalbanksy xxx

"Go Boris, Go!" NOT a Tribute Song!

My Metapop.com competition submission, remixing Mary Droppins and Schroeds' "Granny Panties."

Mary Droppinz X SCHROEDS - Granny Panties (Remixed by Classicalbanksy)

Am a big fan of Gabriel's, and am really happy with how this 'reimagining' of Mercy Street has come out. By using harmonic techniques such as "Picardy 3rd" and reharmonising some of the passages, I've brought my own take on this superb track together. Listen out for the very end - how the "sun comes out" when he's "with the father, out in the boat... xx

Mercy Street - Peter Gabriel (Classicalbanksy Remix)

Created using 8Dio's Hybrid Sample Libraries

Hybrid Heaven (using 8Dio Sample Libraries)

You are the first Art Critic I've ever dedicated a dance remix to...!!

MISERERE (Allegri, CB Remix) - for Sister WALDEMAR JANUSZCZAK

With lyrics written from recollections of the last time I saw him, in 2012, just before he passed away...

"Father's Eyes" - from "Transgenre" Album (demo mix 3)

I came across Waldemar's EP this Autumn, ( https://zczfilms.com/zcz-editions/ ) and asked if I could do an arrangement of one of the songs. 

It might have been quite intimidating, offering to work for an Art Critic, and I have to admit, I did get a little obsessed with this track, endlessly returning to it again and again, like a neurotic painter, never quite sure if his creation is finished or not. 

But I think Waldemar likes it... I think he does... Yes, I'm sure I think he does....! :-)

WALDEMAR JANUSZCZAK (Singing Art Critics) - Rogier van der Weyden

Cantor Jonny Turgel sang this Prayer so beautifully at the BBC's 2020 Holocaust Memorial Concerts, I just HAD to orchestrate it. Thinking slightly of Ariel Ramirez, and "Misa Criola."

"El Malei Rachamim" - Cantor Jonny Turgel (Arranged and Produced by Classicalbanksy)

https://about.me/classicalbanksy (photo by Ki Price)

2020 marked Simon Roberts’ mainstream debut as Media Music Composer, with a nomination from ITV, for a Royal Television Society Crafts and Design Award for his score for “Return to Belsen,” directed by Simon Broughton, and written and presented by Jonathan Dimbleby. Simon teams up with MultiStory again in 2021, for the follow-up, “The Cellist of Auschwitz,” featuring Anita Lasker-Wallfisch.

"Return to Belsen" - broadcast 7th April, 2020, ITV1:

https://youtu.be/UKzQm-eeSRw

An early successful Opera career, which saw him managed by Luciano Pavarotti and living in Italy, Simon was forced to prematurely retire from the opera stage for health reasons, and the enforced convalescence that followed, gave him time to consider new professional directions. 

Having worked as an opera agent for a while, he decided to pursue a career as composer, inspired by Gian-Carlo Menotti, for whom he worked as PA between 2003-2005. 

Following a year of study under Hans Zimmer, a string of media music credits followed, including film scores for Will Rogers' "Bloodline,' Rachel Kelly’s “The Colour of Torment,” alongside scores for the small-screen documentary "Tyranny and Absolute Power - How Magna Carta Happened," for the Manorial Society of Great Britain, and most recently the award-nominated "Return to Belsen” for ITV/MultiStory. 

With 5 singles so far commercially released as “Classicalbanksy,” all eyes are now on the debut album, "Transgenre." The release date has been put back to early 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and boasts a stellar line-up of guest artists. 


Simon Roberts’ Audio Showreel:
https://rcrft.co/reel/Classicalbanksy/audioshowreel
Simon Roberts’ Audio/Visual Showreel:
https://vimeo.com/291702413/45d9502ac3
________________________________________________________________________
The American Dream? features on the following compilation:
Mattrix Mixtape Vol 30 download:
https://www.slacker.com/album/various-artists/mattrix-mixtape-volume-30
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy website:
https://classicalbanksy.com
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy iTunes Page:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-american-dream-single/id1205870917 
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy at CD Baby:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/classicalbanksy
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/classicalbanksy
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy on Vimeo:
www.vimeo.com/classicalbanksy
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJi_qgZ8FY4NLT4wTrL3Lw?view_as=subscriber
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/classicalbanksy
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Classicalbanksy
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/instaclassicalbanksy/
Simon Roberts / Classicalbanksy on Google+:
https://plus.google.com/109399724123763346878

Classicalbanksy

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks