Pauline Adamek
Alexandre Desplat made his North American conducting debut at the Hollywood Bowl last Tuesday night, leading the LA Philharmonic through an evening of highlights from his movie scores. The audience was positively rapt throughout the concert, entitled The Cinematic Scores of Alexandre Desplat.
It was one of those perfect summer evenings under the stars at the iconic Hollywood Bowl. Two-time Academy Award-winning composer Alexandre Desplat is known for his exquisitely crafted film scores that have graced everything from The Grand Budapest Hotel to (Best Picture winner) The Shape of Water. Desplat proved equally masterful on the podium, delivering a concert that was both technically impeccable and emotionally transcendent.
Leading the LA Phil with graceful authority and cinematic flair, Desplat curated a program that offered a panoramic view of his rich and diverse career. Each piece was rendered with precision and warmth, underscoring why his music has become synonymous with elegance, narrative depth, and emotional subtlety. The orchestra responded beautifully to his baton; fluid, responsive, and fully attuned to the dynamic shifts and tonal colors that define Desplat’s signature style. While I was hoping to watch scenes from each film, screened visuals were not a part of the concert (just movie posters that were displayed briefly to indicate the title of each piece).
The evening began with dramatic and dynamic movements from the 2014 version of Godzilla, followed by the main theme from The Imitation Game. The very pretty themes from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – “A New Life” – were followed by whimsical yet poignant excerpts from Wes Anderson’s movies, including Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch.
Lush, romantic themes featured in “Suite Royal” with music from The Queen, The King’s Speech and The Lost King. The music was further elevated by the Bowl’s state-of-the-art acoustics and the palpable energy of an audience captivated by every note. Harp and cimbalom were featured instruments, with many exquisite solos from flute, clarinet and oboe. Brass section and percussion brought power and drama when required.
Desplat’s presence on stage was humble yet commanding. He occasionally spoke between selections, offering brief but illuminating insights into his compositional process. Hilariously, he began by saying, “Sorry to disturb you…” in a charmingly self-deprecatingly fashion. His rapport with the orchestra and audience made the vast amphitheater feel intimate.
More than just a showcase of cinematic favorites, this concert was a celebration of Desplat’s unique ability to fuse classical tradition with modern storytelling. His conducting debut not only reaffirmed his stature as one of the great film composers of our time, but also revealed a new dimension to his artistry—as a conductor of poise, vision, and soul.
In a city where film and music intertwine like nowhere else, Alexandre Desplat’s debut at the Hollywood Bowl felt both historic and deeply personal. A standing ovation was inevitable, and richly deserved.
