Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Ricky Ho Spent Two Months Finding Four Notes for The Violinist
The Violinist is an animated film about a woman searching for her lost love after they are separated during World War II.
Much of the story takes place during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, and the woman’s violin music is central to the film.
Composer Ricky Ho said he spent two months revising the opening of “Sunset Sonata” before settling on four notes he felt were right for the film.
The directors needed to know the notes as Ho composed them because characters write the sonata in the story.
Ho said the music represents the couple’s connection and love, making it an important thread through the film.
Co-director Raul Garcia said 2D animation suited the story’s timeless look and scope, which he said could not be made in live action on the available budget.
The panel video was expected to be posted on Monday.
Ricky Ho said he spent about two months developing the first four notes of “Sunset Sonata,” a central piece in the animated film The Violinist.
The film follows a violinist searching for her long-lost love after they are separated during World War II.
Ho composed the score with Isabel Latorre, and the sonata is a plot point that characters write in the film.
Co-director Raul Garcia said the filmmakers and Ho went back and forth because scenes required the notes to be known.
The story includes the Japanese occupation of Singapore, and Ho said the sonata represents the leads’ connection and love.
- Who
- Composer Ricky Ho, who worked with Isabel Latorre on the film’s score.
- What
- Ho spent about two months finding the first four notes of “Sunset Sonata.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- At Deadline’s Contenders Film Los Angeles panel, where Ho discussed the composition.
- Why
- The sonata is central to the story, and scenes show characters writing its notes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ho wrote, set aside, revisited and changed notes while developing the beginning of “Sunset Sonata.
Ho, co-directors Ervin Han and Raul Garcia joined a panel at Deadline’s Contenders Film Los Angeles event.
- Composition time
- About two months
- Notes developed
- Four
- Film
- The Violinist
- Sonata
- Sunset Sonata
- Other composer
- Isabel Latorre
What people are saying
In the end, I find these four notes are the perfect notes for the film.
It represents their connection, their love together.
We had this back-and-forth because Ricky was composing his music.