Telling the story of aspiring drummer Andrew, who’s pushed to his limits by an abusive instructor, the 2014 film Whiplash is a powerful and unforgettable psychological drama. But anyone who’s seen it will remember the extraordinary soundtrack written by Justin Hurwitz. Now, in what’s sure to be an unforgettable performance, Benoît Sourisse and André Charlier’s brilliant Multiquarium Big Band will play along in perfect synchronisation with the film, facing the same challenging task as Andrew.
We caught up with Hurwitz to hear about the hard work behind this incredible concert and film.
What inspired you to put this live show together?
I had been conducting La La Land in Concert around the world for a few years and love the live-to-film format so much. It's a great way to watch or revisit the movie, while also experiencing a great concert. I started thinking that Whiplash would also make a great film concert, so I built the live version, even though it had all sorts of extra challenges like the drum solos. It's a thrilling film concert to see live.
What effect does seeing this incredible soundtrack played live have on audiences?
I think people can really appreciate what kind of musicianship it takes to pull off the soundtrack. The big band jazz is very technical, and the drum solos are crazy. When people see that all happen, all of those solos live on stage in perfect sync with the movie. I think it's mesmerising.
What challenges do you and the performers face when it comes to the show?
The challenge with any film concert is keeping the music in sync with the picture, and with how hard the music is in Whiplash, with the drum solos and whatnot, it’s a bigger challenge than your average film concert. Also the movie is about perfectionism and a drive for greatness, so that adds more pressure.
Looking back, what was it like creating this incredible soundtrack?
The process is always such a blur in retrospect. Long hours and little sleep, and this was a decade ago; it’s the ten year anniversary of Whiplash this year. I think this movie was more of a whirlwind than usual because it’s the first time that Damien [Chazelle – director] and I made a “real” movie – meaning not a student film – so everything was new and confusing and I remember having to learn on the fly. It was my first time in a professional recording studio working with professional musicians. It was my first time at a real mix (or “dub” as we call it). I was incredibly green and it's a miracle that everything turned out well, but we worked hard.
Whiplash - In Concert, Summer Jazz Series, 4 July, Hall
Words by James Drury
