Christopher Caliendo
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Christopher[1] Robert Caliendo, born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City on January 6, 1959, is an American composer, conductor, publisher, world music guitarist, teacher, commercial banker, and entrepreneur. Cited as a "wunderkind" by the Los Angeles Weekly, he became the first composer in Hollywood history to re-score an existing film with his original score to Sony Pictures Major Dundee starring Charlton Heston.
His musical compositions include the two-hour sacred musical drama, [2] The Mystic Saints – originally commissioned by the Vatican, which singled him as the first American composer commissioned under Pope John Paul II – over 350 published theatrical works, and numerous television and Hollywood soundtracks.
Early life[edit]
Italian opera and jazz were the favorite musical styles played at home by his father, Jerry Caliendo who introduced the guitar to him at the age of five. His first professional opportunity was performing with the Mike Morris Quintet. By the time he was eleven he was composing chamber music influenced by both jazz and classical styles which he incorporated from listening to his father's records and radio. In his teen years, he was discovered by legendary jazz drummer Charles Moffit who used his guitar and French Horn skills on his recording label, CATS.
After graduating from Suffolk Community College in Long Island, Christopher went to Boston to study modal counterpoint with Joe Maneri and neoclassicism with Malcolm Peyton at the New England Conservatory of Music. After finishing his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Lowell in 1986 he went to University of California, Los Angeles to complete his Master of Fine Arts Degree where he received numerous awards including the Henry Mancini Award for Film.
Film composer[edit]
Television creator and director/writer John Wilder (The Streets of San Francisco and Spencer: For Hire) was introduced to Caliendo's music at UCLA and introduced him to legendary television composer, Jerrold Immel of Dallas, Knots Landing, and Paradise/Guns of Paradise fame.
In 2000, Charles Tabesh, senior vice president for programming for Turner Classic Movies, commissioned Caliendo to score the silent film A Lady of Chance. Caliendo composed the classical-jazz soundtrack with his chamber jazz ensemble. The score was critically acclaimed and garnered the attention of Grover Crisp, head of film restoration at Sony Pictures. In 2001, Grover commissioned a new score for one of their silent films, The Belle of Broadway (1926) directed by Harry O. Hoyt.
Sony Pictures commissioned a new score for the 2005 re-release of Sam Peckinpah's 1965 feature Major Dundee, which earned Caliendo the honor of being the first composer in film history to rescore a major motion picture. Film critic Leonard Maltin declared the score "A great victory!" while Grover Crisp of Sony Pictures said "[The score] is in the vein of Jerry Goldsmith or Elmer Bernstein or Alex North scores for similar pictures: Big where it needs to be, intimate where it needs to be, but really full-bodied and complex, fitting its subject perfectly." The New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis wrote: "This extended version adds just twelve minutes to the extended running time (and a vastly improved musical score by Christopher Caliendo), additions that make the case for the film to be the work of an emerging auteur."[3] The soundtrack was released by Intrada Records on their "signature" series.[4] Numerous trade magazines featured articles on Caliendo's original score such as Film Comment (May–June 2005) by Richard Combs, Variety by Todd McCarthy, 60 Minutes With by Tina, and Today by Glen Abel.
Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker and Sam Peckinpah authority Nick Redman brought the attention of Christopher's Major Dundee score to 20th Century Fox where he was commissioned to be the creative director and composer for two John Ford silent films within the DVD box set, Ford at Fox. The Iron Horse and Four Sons were both reviewed favorably by film critics. Dave Kehr of The New York Times wrote: "Having watched 'The Iron Horse' in the new Fox version, with its excellent orchestral score by Christopher Caliendo, I can say with some confidence that Ford's epic remains an astounding achievement, a suite of embedded narratives that expand and comment each other, as audacious in its way as Griffith's Intolerance."[5] Raphaëlle Costa de Beauregard, a professor of film and literature, wrote an extensive review of the film.[6]
The score won the top ten film scores of 2007 by Film Score Monthly,[7] received the Heritage Award from the National Society of Film Critics; and was programmed into the New York Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival – a first in 20th Century Fox's history for silent film recognition. Caliendo conducted the entire soundtrack to the film at the gala opening of the Irish Film Festival at the National Concert Hall, in Dublin, Ireland.[8] Later he teamed up with Clint Eastwood's son, Kyle Eastman, to be guest speakers at the festival talking about their music for films.[9] The DVD box set, Ford at Fox, was awarded the top DVD box set of the year.[10] Dick Dinman, host of DVD Classics Corner, interviewed Christopher on his approach to composing the soundtrack.[11] That same year, film director Larry Blamire commissioned Caliendo to compose/orchestrate/conduct and produce the main title for his film, Trail of the Screaming Forehead with The Manhattan Transfer.
In 2010, the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed segments of Caliendo's soundtrack to picture to celebrate Fox's 75th anniversary as a film studio at the Hollywood Bowl, conducted by film composer David Newman.[12] Footprints, written and directed by Steven Paros, and featuring a score composed by UCLA Alumnus Caliendo quoted that this was “One of the greatest strengths of this film is (Caliendo’s) score,”[13]
Filmography[edit]
Television as orchestrator/composer[edit]
Year | Title | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987–1991 | Dallas | Multiple episodes as orchestrator/composer with Jerrold Immel | |
1988–1991 | Paradise/Guns of Paradise | Multiple episodes as orchestrator/composer with Jerrold Immel | |
1989 | Knots Landing | Orchestrator main title | |
1999 | Lakota Moon | Written by John Wilder, orchestrator under Jerrold Immel | |
2001 | Secrets of San Simeon | Albert Fisher | Produced by Fisher/Merlis Television |
Films as a composer[edit]
Year | Title | Director | Studio | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | The General | Buster Keaton | Veridion Productions | |
2000 | A Lady of Chance | Robert Z. Leonard | TCM | recorded with Chamber Jazz at Local 47, Hollywood |
2004 | Major Dundee | Sam Peckinpah | Sony Pictures | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2006 | The Unspoken | Marc Clebanoff | Independent | recorded at Waymo Music Studios |
2007 | Trail of the Screaming Forehead | Larry Blamire | Independent | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2007 | The Iron Horse | John Ford | 20th Century Fox | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2007 | Four Sons | John Ford | 20th Century Fox | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2008 | City Girl | F W Murnau | 20th Century Fox | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2008 | Lucky Star | Frank Borzege | 20th Century Fox | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood | |
2009 | The Undying | Steven Peros | Independent | recorded at Firehouse Studios, Pasadena, California |
2009 | Dark and Stormy Night | Larry Blamire | Independent | recorded at Firehouse Studios, Pasadena, California |
2011 | Footprints | Steven Peros | Independent | recorded at Firehouse Studios, Pasadena, California |
Documentaries as a composer[edit]
Year | Title | Director | Studio | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | What If | Walter Koenig | Waymo Studios | short film written and directed by Walter Koenig |
2007 | Becoming John Ford | Nick Redman | 20th Century Fox | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2008 | Borzege, Murnau at Fox | Nick Redman | 20th Century Fox | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
2016 | Life Is Love | Halfdan Hussain | Cinequest | recorded at Capital Studios, Hollywood |
Animations[edit]
Year | Title | Director | Studio | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | The Balloon | September Singh | Cartoon Network | Recorded at Local 37 – Hollywood |
Theatrical composition[edit]
In 2021, compositions for the theatre include collaborating with illustrator Gary Gianni, chosen illustrator for George R. R. Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" series and the Phoenix Brass Collective conducted by Jeff Quamo, "The Four Jewish Pieces" for flute and piano commissioned by flutist Daniel Shineberg and the University of Missouri as the subject of his DMA dissertation the 3 Ukrainian pieces for flute and piano, and "7 Psalms" – a musical drama for 3 soloists, 2 narrators, 8 winds in pairs, full choir, harp, percussion, and strings. Caliendo's extensive theatrical catalog contains 2 flute concerti, 2 string symphonies, 2 symphonic suites, 5 works for concert band, 49 flute and guitar works, 11 classical jazz solo guitar works, solo piano, a cello concerto, 2 violin sonatas, 2 French Horn sonatas, 1 oboe sonata, 2 works for 2 piccolos and piano, 1 clarinet sonata, 14 flute sonatas, 12 solo flute compositions, 2 clarinet concerti, 12 works for flute choir, 4 works for flute orchestra, 2 quartets, 1 quintet, 1 piccolo concerto, 5 works for 4 flutes and numerous mixed chamber pieces. Hard copies of Caliendo's flute/guitar and flute/piano music are distributed by Astute Music, based in England.[14]
Caliendo World Music Publishing (1998)[edit]
Caliendo began his entrepreneurial career as a self-publisher composing and publishing world music for classical musicians under the name Caliendo World Music Publishing (CWMP). Anticipating sales of his music at the convention, he chose to initially publish the ten American tangos recorded on Torbellino CD. Over 150 CDs were sold, and three distributors aligned themselves with CWMP including Flute World, Carolynn Nussbaum Music, and Just Flutes. The second collection of American Tangos was recorded in 1999 under the title, Ardiente.
Caliendo World Music Publishing's catalog contains three publications that became subjects for DMA dissertations: The Clarinet Concerto No. 1, DMA Jeff Quamo[15] – the University of Arizona, Flute Sonata No. 8 (the Ghost Sonata), and Four Jewish Pieces for Flute and Piano – DMA Daniel Shineberg – University of Missouri. Flute Sonata No. 6 was commissioned by Robert Langevin, principal flutist for the New York Philharmonic, and became the subject of Melissa Hulett's Junior recital at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. The diversity of world music[16] publications is featured in such popular collections as Tango Americano, Gypsy Americano, Flamenco Americano, Chamber Jazz, World Music, Sacred Music, Western Music, Classical Jazz, and Film Music.
In the ensuing years, other flute artists such as Laurel Zucker recorded Caliente, a collection of ten original world music tracks by Caliendo that met with rave reviews from Keith Hannaleck of Gramophone magazine, who described Caliendo's music and guitar playing as... "one fantastic guitar player... simply masterful and as fluid as humanly possible...". Nicola Mazzanti recorded 4 Gypsy Pieces, Christopher Lee – Bailar Contigo features 5 world music tracks, Pamela Stahel recorded Sonata for 2 Piccolos and Piano. Caliendo World Music Publishing partnered with flute manufacturer, Miyazawa flutes to produce the CD release, Miyazawa Plays Caliendo the first recording of Caliendo's Flute Sonata's 1, 2, and 3. The CD featured Miyazawa-endorsed virtuosi, Laurel Ann Maurer, Jill Felber, and Clare Southworth.[17] In 2019, Christopher recorded his first 13 flamenco compositions with Dr. Brian Luce at the University of Arizona – Tucson under the CD title, Flamenco Americano. The performers were featured on The Life Changes Show to promote the new release.[18] A future CD release titled Travl'n will feature Latin Grammy Awards winner, flutist Néstor Torres.
The company transitioned into an all-digital online platform in 2017. In 2004, Caliendo extended his world music catalog by introducing Gypsy Americano. The National Flute Association again highlighted the Caliendo Trio (flute, guitar, and cello) as a featured performing group. The company extended its retail presence to 40 stores domestically and 8 internationally. Future categories were added such as World Music, Western music, Chamber Jazz, Classical Jazz, Film music, Sacred music, and most recently, Flamenco Americano.
Soundtracks[edit]
- Major Dundee, Intrada Records 2005 Signature Series
Awards[edit]
- Artin Arslanian Music Scholarship for Composition[19]
- Leonard Goldberg Music Scholarship for Composition
- Music Now Award
- Twice winner of the Heritage Award from the National Society of Film Critics[20]
- Henry Mancini Award for Film
- Peabody Grant for Humanities
- Wilma Drama Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities
- Decorative Scroll from the County of Los Angeles commemorating the distinction as the first American to be twice commissioned by the Vatican's "Encounters of Sacred Contemporary Music Festival" in Rome, Italy, where The Mystic Saints, a two-hour drama based on four of the Catholic church's most enigmatic pioneers in Western spirituality debuted.
CDs[edit]
- Flamenco Americano – a collection of 13 Flamenco Americano compositions featuring flutist Dr. Brian Luce – University of Arizona, Tucson
- Chamber Jazz
- Torbellino – a collection of 10 American Tangos for flute and guitar featuring flutist, Sheridon Stokes
- Ardiente – a collection of 11 American Tangos for flute and guitar featuring flutist, Sheridon Stokes
- Gypsy Americano – a collection of 8 American Gypsy compositions for flute, guitar, and cello
- Caliendo World Music Hits – 10 original world music titles recorded for flute, guitar, and cello
- Miyazawa Plays Caliendo – the first 3 flute sonatas recorded by Miyazawa artists featuring Clare Southworth, Laurel Ann Mauer, Jill Felber
- Caliente! – 13 world music recordings for flute and guitar featuring Laurel Zucker – recorded at Skywalker Ranch
- Major Dundee – the original soundtrack from the major motion picture distributed by Intrada records
- Steps Through the Centuries – violinist Yury Revitch records Violin Sonata No. 1
- Piccolo Encounters – Pamela Stahel – records Sonata for 2 Piccolos and Piano with Nicola Mazzanti
- The Woodlands College Park High School Woodwind Choir & Chamber Ensembles – records La Milonga for Flute Choir
- Gypsy Inspiration – Vicent Morello records The Little Gypsy
- Departures – United State Air Force records Ender's Game (3) mvts
- Above and Beyond – Los Angeles Flute Quartet records Chovihano
- Stroke of Twelve – Los Angeles Flute Orchestra records New York and All that Jazz, I'll Stop, I'll Look but I Won't Stare and Swing and Sing
- American Art – Amy Porter records Flute Sonata No. 3
- Bailar Contigo – Christopher Lee records Tristeza, Impulso, Caliente, Contigo, Mistero
- Muse – the flute music of Christopher Caliendo – Amanda Friedhoff and Rhonda Winter
- NRG! Duo – Tina Beaton and Sherry Finzer record Caliente, Jal, Amor Perdido, and Ardiente
Podcasts[edit]
- Profitable Happiness Ep.110 – "The Power of Transferable Skills"
- Orange County Catholic Tower Podcast Ep.74 – Music from the Tower
- Enhance Life with Music Ep.105 "The Top Three Skills Desired by Corporate Recruits"
- Business Side of Music Ep.161 – "How to Follow Your Course, and Let Others Do the Talking"
- Porter Flute Pod Ep.14 – "The Stories of Christopher Caliendo"
- Talking Flutes! Ep.34 "Follow your Course, let others Talk"
- It's Your Life Podcast – "Highly Acclaimed World Music Composer"
- Leaders Labyrinth Ep.25 – "Kindling Your Sacred Fire, Mastering Your Purpose…"
- Flute 360 Ep.34 – "An Interview with Christopher Caliendo"
References[edit]
- ↑ "A study of selected clarinet works by Christopher Caliendo".
- ↑ "Musical Road to Rome".
- ↑ "Peckinpah's Messy Vision, a Little Less Truncated". New York Tiimes. April 8, 2005.
- ↑ "Major Dundee: The Extended Version Review by Bruce Eder".
- ↑ "Respect in a Box: Giving John Ford the Major American Artist Treatment".
- ↑ "John Lanchbery, Christopher Caliendo and Film Music History: A Comparison between two Modern Scores (1997 and 2007) for John Ford's 1924 Silent Epic Western, The Iron Horse".
- ↑ "FILM SCORE - Volume 10, Number 2 - Page 28". March–April 2005.
- ↑ "John Ford Ireland Film Symposium Offers Star Studded Line-Up".
- ↑ "Eastwood and Caliendo for John Ford Festival".
- ↑ "DVD Talk - Major Dundee - The Extended Version".
- ↑ "Dick Dinman Interviews Christopher on "The Iron Horse"".
- ↑ "The Big Picture at Hollywood Bowl Celebrates 75th Anniversary of 20th Century Fox 9/5". Broadway World.
- ↑ "Alumnus leaves his mark in music". Daily Bruin.
- ↑ "Composer - Christopher Caliendo". Astute Music.
- ↑ "A study of selected clarinet works by Christopher Caliendo".
- ↑ "What Is World Music? Origin, Types, Artists & Examples". promusicianhub.com. 2021-09-21. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ↑ Miyazawa Plays Caliendo by Christopher Caliendo, 2007-08-31, retrieved 2022-12-15
- ↑ "Find Love, Keep Love, Be Love, with Guest Arielle Ford; and Musical Guests, Christopher Caliendo and Brian Luce, on "The LIFE CHANGES Show,"".
- ↑ "Concert to feature guitarist Caliendo with Elon faculty member April 17". Today at Elon. 2005-04-05. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
- ↑ "Past Awards". National Society of Film Critics. 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
External links[edit]
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