Composer Spotlight: Rachel Portman
Rachel Portman, the renowned, Oscar-winning composer behind the scores of numerous award-winning films, has released a new album titled Beyond the Screen – Film Works on Piano. Released under Sony Classical, this album is a beautiful collection of piano suites that delve deep into the emotional themes of her most memorable scores and showcase her incredible talent for creating captivating melodies. From the romanticism of Chocolat to the passion of The Cider House Rules, and the drama of The Duchess, the album is a journey through Rachel’s vast and varied repertoire.
Fresh of her new album release, Rachel joins us as this month’s Composer Spotlight guest to share some of the songsthat have resonated with her over her career. Ranging from the haunting melodies of George Frideric Handel and Philip Glass to more recent works from Kurt Vile and fellow film scoring veteran James Newton Howard, the selection offers a glimpse into some of Rachel’s musical inspirations.
On her choices, Portman says “This playlist contains some of my most cherished songs – some that have inspired me, some that I turn to when I need to come back to myself, and some that I find curiously interesting. Lots of these songs feature the piano, but I guess that’s not surprising given it’s my writing companion and constant friend. I hope you enjoy them.”
Take a listen below!