 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Larry Groupé's skills as a composer, his ability to grab a movie
by its balls and turn it into an artistic endeavor beyond anything one
could previously have conceived of, is uncontroverted. There are just
a few musical cues in The Contender and they therefore stand out—each
one its own charismatic gem. What Larry is able to do is not only take
a scene and help find its emotional rhythm but also make that one cue
part of the film's overall texture. His work is variegated to the degree
that one cannot pigeonhole the specifics of his musical skill. His versatility,
which I hope is evident in The Contender, is what makes him stand out.
I would not say that he has a specific style—for I suspect that
in Larry Groupé's mind, style amounts to self-plagiarism. The
only thing you can be sure of getting when you hear a Larry Groupé score
is that it will be different from anything you have heard before and
that it will serve the master that is the film.
— Rod Lurie • Director/Writer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Search for John Gissing
Larry Groupé's score for The
Search for John Gissing, for me, gets better and better every time I listen to
it. Part of this is the
waft of memories it brings back of working with Larry on the film and
the recording with the Missing Gissing Orchestra. But by and large it's
the appreciation of the music: a jazzy, eclectic, Henry Mancini-meets-Dave
Brubeck-high-on-laughing-gas feel that is strongly peppered with original,
strong, sharp comedic musical tones. This unique sound not only bolsters
the story in the film, but also, while driving in the car or sitting
at home, can't help to force out a smile. With a lot of hard work and
frustrating experimentation Larry has forged a perfect sound which ultimately
lead us to the cadence and timing, heart and soul of the film. Again,
in my opinion, a near perfect score and a fantastic piece of work.
— Mike Binder • Director/Writer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out of the Black
Working with Larry Groupé was awesome. Why? Because Larry understands
the function, art and language of film music. He realizes that film music
should be seen as well as heard. He has a subtle but effective sense
of character motivations, story arches and plot points. All this in addition
to his boundless musical talents. So what did I do? I gave Larry my movie
and told him to feel his way through it. Several weeks later what Larry
gave me was the most inspiring, poignant, exciting piece of film music
I've heard in a long time. I remember thinking just after the live recording
session:"We should submit this for Academy Award contention."
— Karl Kozak • Director
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gentleman B.
I knew I wanted something in the evolution of a classical score that
would allow room to experiment with techno. Our process was fairly simple
and there was little revision. Basically, he got it! The mix of rap,
Christmas and even edgy techno, along with all the live musicians, gave
the score its compelling thread. Larry's music brings attention to the
movie, not the instruments. And yet, there are still wonderful riffs
and sequences which allow the score to explode. There's a rock and roll
editorial to a well designed story-score filled with character themes.
I've always wanted to work with a musical artist who can bring a richness
that is reminiscent of the great composers, but sign it with his own
name. Larry's signature is all over it.
— Jordan Alan • Director
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deterrence
Larry's music does exactly what it must: it raises
the level of a movie’s
game. It doesn’t create emotion, but punctuates it. If you think
about the wide array of emotion in the human spectrum, his ability to
capture a precise sense of joy or tragedy, exhilaration or desolation
is a talent that only the greatest in the business have in their arsenal.
Larry Groupé will soon enough officially enter the pantheon of
the finest composers in the world. An Oscar or two lies somewhere in
his future as will the immortality of some of the most profound music
I have ever heard created for the cinema.
— Rod Lurie • Director/Writer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I Woke Up Early The Day I Died
Larry Groupé's ambient hymns create a melodic melting pot both
scary and funny, sad and ironic, connecting you directly to the splintered
psychology of "The Thief". As I Woke Up
Early The Day I Died was an invitation to dance for a variety of talented artists, Larry rose
to the occasion under the natural parameters and pressures of independent
filmaking. His dedication and great creativity was truly a gift. Thank
you, Larry!!
— Billy Zane • Starring Role/Producer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deviants
The composition on Deviants was a part of the project we were very concerned
about, as a different style of film, we were unsure of what direction
the score would need to travel in. Larry was able to get a true sense
of what I was attempting visually and relate it to the score. I was surprised
at how he was able to grab onto the feeling of the film from the start;
we had very few score changes from that of what was presented.
— Devin DeHaven • Producer/Director
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short Subject Scores, Volume I
Shakin’ All Over
Larry is just like his music: professional, elegant, and dramatic. He
provided a new and important dimension to my film.
— Dominique Forma • Director
4 Second Delay
Larry Groupé is a dream for a director. His music captures any
essence a film's story requires and he does it with a style and verve
that exists at the highest level of music composition. His work is memorable—when
the film is over it is impossible for the melody to escape your mind—but
still subtle enough that it does not threaten to overwhelm any moment
from the movie. Groupé is also a producer's dream. He works with
a speed and efficiency that is so consistent it seems almost impossible.
The best thing that can be said about Groupé's work is that it
is demonstrative not just of a man who loves music, but of a man who
is insanely in love with film.
— Rod Lurie • Director/Writer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raven’s Blood
Larry was instrumental in pulling the entire movie together through
his gorgeous, sumptuous, dramatic score. He was able, through thematic
ideas, to bring focus to a number of different elements in the movie.
I feel his score is one of the highlights and strong points of the entire
film.
— Molly Smith • Director
about larry || credits || current projects || downloads || order cds || contact
© 2003
Larry Groupé. All Rights Reserved.