James Horner is gone, leaving us stunned, incredulous and inconsolable.
Throughout increasingly frequent meetings with James in recent months, a relationship of trust had been established. Since the beginning, he promised us an interview for each new album. I submitted the idea of a semi-annual magazine to disseminate these exclusive interviews and articles focusing on his musical universe.
He was excited about a return to paper. A magazine that is tangible, to be shared…it is real, unlike a website. Additionally, a digital version had also been planned.
He was excited about a return to paper. A magazine that is tangible, to be shared…it is real, unlike a website. Additionally, a digital version had also been planned.
Everything was ready for distribution during the summer. We had to submit the model and conduct the interview on Wolf Totem and Collage. His coming to Paris for Titanic Live on June 26 seemed like the perfect time to realize it …
On June 22, everything collapsed. We lost an amazing person, a unique artist. Completing the Allegretto project seems meaningless to us now as we face this immense loss and emptiness that presents itself before us. Despite the shock, fear, sadness, and on occasion denial, JHFM team will attempt to continue his work. Our mission remains the same: to share with the world information about the incredible music of James Horner.
Many new publications are already planned:
– For the Maestro's birthday on August 14, pull out your best pen, and we will publish your texts and tributes. Send your submissions by mail.
– For the Maestro's birthday on August 14, pull out your best pen, and we will publish your texts and tributes. Send your submissions by mail.
– Unpublished interviews with James Horner in English will be published in the coming months.
– We are also working on a full biography in parts.
– We are also working on a full biography in parts.
Finally we will gradually publish all content online that was scheduled for the first issue of Allegretto:
– A Wolf Totem dossier consisting of three articles.
– A Collage dossier with an interview with the horn player David Pyatt and conductor Jaime Martin.
– A Stavanger dossier including interviews with musician Eric Rigler, singer Clara Sanabras, orchestra conductor Torodd Wigum and the magnificent trio of James Horner, Mari and Hakon Samuelsen.
Below you can read the editorial which was scheduled to open this first issue:
One day, at the age of 10 years, James Horner came home from school completely bewildered. He had just heard a piece of music he already knew but that had left him baffled that particular day. In the evening he listened to it twenty times over. This musical sock he still remembers clearly today, because it marked the moment when he decided he was going to be a composer. The piece is called Allegretto, the second movement of Beethoven's 7th Symphony.I would probably never have heard of James Horner’s music if my grandfather had not led me to discover the beauty of classical music. I vividly remember the moment he introduced me to his favorite piece. I can still see him humming and mimicking the conductor’s movements, his face lit up with happiness. Whenever I listen to this movement my thoughts go back to that life-changing moment. The piece is called Allegretto, the second movement of Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Allegretto. I needed no further signs to settle on a name for this magazine. Moreover, the word allegretto is a tempo in a musical work that refers to the French word "allégresse", meaning elation, glee, just the kind of emotion we get time and again from James Horner’s music.Wolf Totem, Pas de Deux, Collage. An original soundtrack and two concerts works, one couldn’t ask for a better way to begin the Allegretto adventure. An adventure that I hope will be long and rewarding.The aim of this magazine, which is an extension of our website, is simple: provide clear and accurate information on maestro Horner’s current and upcoming projects. It’s not about shouting to the stars how James Horner is the greatest, it’s not about creating or addressing controversy, it’s only about supplying you with articles, interviews and background material whose sole intent is to inform the reader, to provide new details and to delve deeper, all while maintaining a tone that is neutral, objective and respectful to the musical world of the composer.This first issue is the culmination of a great deal of effort and fruitful collaborations. I would like to extend a warm thank you to all the people who are mentioned on this page and who have contributed to this crazy project. We hope to find the resources to offer you a second issue around the end of December, as we will no doubt have a full slate with plenty of exciting new stuff: Living In The Age Of Airplanes, Southpaw, The 33 … Of course, this will depend in no small measure on your response to this magazine.And finally, credit where credit is due: a particularly heart-felt thank you to James Horner for his trust, kindness, and the great many hours he has gracefully spent with us.Enjoy reading and we’re looking forward to our next rendez-vous at the end of 2015!Jean-Baptiste Martin
Good morning to you all. Thank you so much for your news today. I am truly grateful if you will kindly carry on the marvelous work you have been doing. Allegretto sounds wonderful and I cannot wait to read it. Like yourselves I still cannot believe James is no longer with this world. Since that dreadful day in june I have now got two cds I never had before, also Pas de Deux, and I cherish on Friday 3rd july, which I spent in Stavanger, Norway – mostly inside the magnificent concert hall where this beautiful music was recently played with James there. Regrettably I couldn’t be there for that concert. The concert hall assistants were very helpful, told me it was one of their best ever concerts, and kindly gave me her only copy of the advertisement book. They didn’t have any programmes left for me to buy. I actually took some lovely photos of the Hall if I can possibly share them with you some time. You are doing an amazing job of continuing his wonderful works. Maybe, just maybe, we will get to hear Collage again and possibly Romeo and Juliet recorded at Abbey Road.How I would have given anything to be able to go in there and watch a cd being recorded by James….the next best thing was a marvelous seat at Royal Festival Hall on 27th March with James in attendance for his Collage premiere. Thank you all so much, with great sadness for his family. Pamela Read
Your website has proven to fill that space that was otherwise devoid of good, objective information, interviews and reviews of James Horner’s music. I love reading the articles and seeing the photos, videos and updates every week. I eagerly look forward to more information about his concert work Collage and like Pamela sincerely hope that Romeo and Juliet will someday soon be released.
I would certainly purchase a copy of Allegretto and support you all to the fullest in keeping the life, legacy and music of James Horner alive. He was a remarkably gifted, prolific composer that will be wholly missed by this fan of his work. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Although I am not on Facebook, I have looked up JHFM facebook page…only to see all those people who are “getting together” musically on this special Friday. What a lovely idea and I shall be joining them. I love the picture of the lit candle, and that is what I will be doing at St Albans Cathedral, which is quite near to me, to light a candle in remembrance of James on his Birthday. Remember Me from TROY, yes we will, always. Pamela.