It's been a great month for playing on film scores here in NYC. I'm still always surprised at the amount of great film that's being produced here in the city. Somehow the little boy in me still thinks it's all out there in Hollywood. Anyhow, I had the great honor of playing solos and ensemble cello on 'A Walk in the Woods' starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson and 'The Experimenter' starring Peter Sarsgaard and Winona Rider. Also, a documentary- 'How to Dance in Ohio.' 'Walk' was scored by Nathan Larson (The Skeleton Twins) and also features my buddy Maxim Moston on violin. 'Experimenter' and 'Dance' were scored by Bryan Senti, a wonderful young composer. All three films are headed to Sundance this year. 'Walk' was filmed in a tiny studio here in Williamsburg and 'Experimenter' at the venerable Avatar Studios in Hells Kitchen. Hey NY!
So stoked that The Skeleton Twins has received an extended theatrical release here in the States and is now opening in theaters globally as well. And recently Bill Hader was nominated for Best Actor Gotham Award for his performance. I played cello solos on the beautiful soundtrack by Nathan Larson. Its especially exciting because I love both of these actors and I think the film carries a very important message. See it!
Congratulations to my student Ari Goldman on the publication of his new book The Late Starters Orchestra by Algonquin Press. The book includes anecdotes about my teaching and involvement in his life as a cellist. I also served as technical consultant for all things cello during the writing of the memoir. In LSO, the author discovers a group of supportive and funny adult beginners meeting in New York (and worldwide) to rehearse and perform orchestral music. Publisher's Weekly has called it one of the best ten music books of its season. I highly recommend the book to anyone who is interested in taking up an instrument as an adult or as a gift to anyone you know who loves music and a good tale. Available at bookstores and on Amazon.
Ari is a contributor to the New York Times, The Washington Post and other publications, is professor of journalism at Columbia and the author of several bestsellers including The Search for God at Harvard.