In part two of Garry’s conversation with composers Eímear Noone and Craig Stewart Garfinkle. They discuss the art of film scoring, the influence of Irish folklore, and the challenges of live orchestral performance. Highlights include Eímear’s haunting Royal Albert Hall composition inspired by the banshee, Craig’s award-winning documentary about solo sailor Enda, and their thoughts on AI’s impact on music. The conversation weaves together personal stories, creative collaborations, and reflections on preserving cultural heritage in a rapidly changing industry.

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Opening and Introductions (00:00:00)
Podcast introduction, sponsor mentions, and setting up the episode’s guests and main topics.

Iconic Songs vs. Original Scores in Film (00:00:22)
Discussion on directors like Scorsese using iconic songs instead of original scores, and the impact on film cohesion.

Composing and Scoring Techniques (00:03:34)
Exploring how composers collaborate, interweave themes, and sculpt music to serve the film’s narrative.

Jazz, Harmony, and Musical Perspective (00:05:10)
Craig discusses hearing everything as jazz, vertical vs. horizontal musical thinking, and orchestral reading.

Complexity of Orchestral Scores (00:07:32)
Explanation of reading and conducting orchestral scores, and the challenges of synchronizing musicians.

Live Performance Challenges (00:09:42)
Handling mistakes during live shows, rehearsal limitations, and the conductor’s role in maintaining cohesion.

Orchestral Rehearsal Realities (00:13:00)
Realities of limited rehearsal time, the skill of orchestral musicians, and the importance of the conductor.

Awards and Irish Filmmaking (00:16:00)
Craig’s Irish citizenship, recent film festival awards, and representing Ireland as a filmmaker.

The Galway Man Documentary (00:17:14)
Story of Enda, the solo sailor, the making of the documentary, and its impact on audiences.

Sailing, Storytelling, and Editing (00:18:13)
Craig’s sailing background, film screenings, and the process of editing the documentary for clarity.

Technical Sailing Feats in the Film (00:22:05)
Describing Enda’s technical sailing challenges and the need for visual storytelling in the film.

Living and Creating in the West of Ireland (00:24:41)
Discussion on how living in the west of Ireland inspires creativity and imagination.

Composing the Scariest Piece in the World (00:26:43)
Eímear’s process for writing a scary piece for the Royal Albert Hall, drawing on Irish folklore.

Irish Folklore and the Banshee (00:28:34)
Exploring the traditions of the Banshee, keening women, and incorporating these elements into music.

Royal Albert Hall Ghost Concert (00:30:24)
Details of the ghost-themed concert, special effects, and audience reactions at the Royal Albert Hall.

East Galway’s Creative Richness (00:37:52)
Reflection on the untapped diversity and storytelling potential of East and West Galway.

Local Folklore Research (00:39:14)
Craig’s research into local folklore, interviews with historians, and the influence of Ireland’s geography.

Upcoming Projects and Collaborations (00:41:35)
Eímear and Craig’s upcoming works: books, symphony performances, and international collaborations.

Animated Musical with Kirsten Sheridan (00:43:36)
Craig’s animated musical project with Kirsten Sheridan, themes of AI in music, and the story’s development.

AI and the Future of Music (00:47:38)
Concerns about AI-generated music, its impact on creativity, and the business motivations behind it.

Closing Remarks (00:49:03)
Host wraps up, thanks guests, and closes the episode.