Edwin Wendler
Encyclopedia
Edwin Wendler is an Austria
n composer currently working in Los Angeles
, California
.
and assistant director at the Vienna State Opera
while his mother had a brief career as an operatic soprano
before switching careers to work for the United Nations
), Wendler attended the Vienna Choir Boys
from 1985 until 1989, participating in four tours around the globe, singing in more than 500 concerts and opera performances, sharing stages with José Carreras
, Agnes Baltsa
, and Alfredo Kraus
, and working with conductors such as Colin Davis
and Horst Stein
. After his voice changed, Wendler attended the Theresianische Akademie, from which he graduated with honors, in 1993.
Wendler's passion for film music started at around the age of 10, and by the time he graduated from high school, his collection of soundtrack CD's exceeded 1500. From 1996 until 1998, Wendler wrote, directed, and scored several award-winning short films
for the Austrian
independent film company, Magellan-Film. His work was showcased at several independent, local and international film festivals, including the UNICA Festival.
Wendler earned certificates in film scoring
and screenwriting
from UCLA Extension in 1999. His first concert commission arrived that same year from the University of Ottawa
and its choral director, Laurence Ewashko. The resulting piece, Consolatio, for choir and symphony orchestra, received a standing ovation at its premiere at St. Joseph's Church
, Ottawa
, and was subsequently broadcast on local Canadian television stations. In 2004, the piece was performed at Bridgewater Hall
, Manchester
, by the Stockport Youth Orchestra
and five combined choirs from the area. Philip Mackenzie
conducted.
After composing music for dozens of short films, Wendler landed his first feature film when writer/director Temi Lopez
hired him to score his 2001 movie, Home - The Horror Story, starring Richard Beymer
and Grace Zabriskie
.
In 2003, Wendler scored JoséAntonio W. Danner’s ambitious comedy short film, Wrong Hollywood Number. Collaborators on this project: London Metropolitan Orchestra
, legendary recording engineer Mike Ross-Trevor, and Academy Award-nominated scoring mixer Dennis S. Sands.
In 2004, Wendler was accepted into the prestigious ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop, which concluded with a recording session at 20th Century Fox’s Newman Scoring Stage, with famed scoring mixer Armin Steiner and the Hollywood Studio Symphony
Orchestra.
Also in 2004, film composer Paul Haslinger
asked Wendler to join his team as an arranger, orchestrator, and music programmer, resulting in work on the movies Into the Blue, Turistas
, The Fifth Commandment, and Gardener of Eden
, as well as the second season of the Showtime series, Sleeper Cell. During this time, Wendler also wrote additional music for the NBC
reality
series, Fear Factor
.
In 2007, Wendler was hired to score the internet series, The Interior (soundtrack released by Perseverance Records
as an online exclusive album), and in late 2008 / early 2009, he wrote the music for the U.S. version of the film, Broken Angel
.
In November 2009, artistic director and conductor Christopher McCafferty commissioned a piece for a cappella
choir
from Edwin Wendler. The Illumni Men's Chorale premiered the resulting Winter Medley at its inaugural concerts on December 19 and 20, 2009, in the Seattle area.
Composer John Ottman
hired Wendler as orchestrator on the 2010 movie, The Losers
.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n composer currently working in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Biography
Born into a musical family (Wendler's father, Prof. Dr. Anton Wendler, worked as a tenorTenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
and assistant director at the Vienna State Opera
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is an opera house – and opera company – with a history dating back to the mid-19th century. It is located in the centre of Vienna, Austria. It was originally called the Vienna Court Opera . In 1920, with the replacement of the Habsburg Monarchy by the First Austrian...
while his mother had a brief career as an operatic soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
before switching careers to work for the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
), Wendler attended the Vienna Choir Boys
Vienna Boys' Choir
The Vienna Boys' Choir is a choir of trebles and altos based in Vienna. It is one of the best known boys' choirs in the world. The boys are selected mainly from Austria, but also from many other countries....
from 1985 until 1989, participating in four tours around the globe, singing in more than 500 concerts and opera performances, sharing stages with José Carreras
José Carreras
Josep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
, Agnes Baltsa
Agnes Baltsa
Agnes Baltsa is a leading Greek mezzo-soprano.Baltsa was born in Lefkada. She began playing piano at the age of six, before moving to Athens in 1958 to concentrate on singing...
, and Alfredo Kraus
Alfredo Kraus
Alfredo Kraus Trujillo was a distinguished Spanish tenor of partly Austrian descent, particularly known for the artistry he brought to opera's bel canto roles...
, and working with conductors such as Colin Davis
Colin Davis
Sir Colin Rex Davis, CH, CBE is an English conductor. His repertoire is broad, but among the composers with whom he is particularly associated are Mozart, Berlioz, Elgar, Sibelius, Stravinsky and Tippett....
and Horst Stein
Horst Stein
Horst Walter Stein was a German conductor.- Biography :...
. After his voice changed, Wendler attended the Theresianische Akademie, from which he graduated with honors, in 1993.
Wendler's passion for film music started at around the age of 10, and by the time he graduated from high school, his collection of soundtrack CD's exceeded 1500. From 1996 until 1998, Wendler wrote, directed, and scored several award-winning short films
Short subject
A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all...
for the Austrian
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
independent film company, Magellan-Film. His work was showcased at several independent, local and international film festivals, including the UNICA Festival.
Wendler earned certificates in film scoring
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
and screenwriting
Screenwriting
Screenwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. It is a freelance profession....
from UCLA Extension in 1999. His first concert commission arrived that same year from the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
and its choral director, Laurence Ewashko. The resulting piece, Consolatio, for choir and symphony orchestra, received a standing ovation at its premiere at St. Joseph's Church
St. Joseph (Ottawa)
St. Joseph's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Ottawa, Canada. It is an Anglophone congregation located very near its partner parish, the Francophone Église Sacré-Cœur....
, Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, and was subsequently broadcast on local Canadian television stations. In 2004, the piece was performed at Bridgewater Hall
Bridgewater Hall
The Bridgewater Hall is an international concert venue in Manchester city centre, England. It cost around £42 million to build and currently hosts over 250 performances a year....
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, by the Stockport Youth Orchestra
Stockport Youth Orchestra
The Stockport Youth Orchestra is a group of three Classical Music ensembles for people of up to 21 years of age from the area of Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom....
and five combined choirs from the area. Philip Mackenzie
Philip Mackenzie
Phillip Mackenzie is a British musician and a graduate of Oxford University. He is the founder of the Amadeus Orchestra - a British orchestra dedicated to young musicians and is the musical director of the London Mozart Symphony Orchestra.-External links:**...
conducted.
After composing music for dozens of short films, Wendler landed his first feature film when writer/director Temi Lopez
Temístocles López
Temístocles López is a screenwriter, actor, stage and film director. He has had an eclectic and varied career, often shifting between the classical, the popular and avant-garde...
hired him to score his 2001 movie, Home - The Horror Story, starring Richard Beymer
Richard Beymer
George Richard Beymer, Jr. is an American actor known for playing Tony in the 1961 film version of West Side Story and Ben Horne on the 1990 television series Twin Peaks.-Life and career:...
and Grace Zabriskie
Grace Zabriskie
Grace Zabriskie is an American actress. She has appeared in many popular American films but, she is best known for her work in television. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the television series Twin Peaks, Seinfeld, and Big Love.-Early life:Zabriskie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana...
.
In 2003, Wendler scored JoséAntonio W. Danner’s ambitious comedy short film, Wrong Hollywood Number. Collaborators on this project: London Metropolitan Orchestra
London Metropolitan Orchestra
London Metropolitan Orchestra , founded in 1994, is a London-based studio orchestra whose primary function is to record music for film, television, and other multimedia projects...
, legendary recording engineer Mike Ross-Trevor, and Academy Award-nominated scoring mixer Dennis S. Sands.
In 2004, Wendler was accepted into the prestigious ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop, which concluded with a recording session at 20th Century Fox’s Newman Scoring Stage, with famed scoring mixer Armin Steiner and the Hollywood Studio Symphony
Hollywood Studio Symphony
The Hollywood Studio Symphony is the credited name of the symphony orchestra behind many major soundtracks, including The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sucker Punch, Jurassic Park 3, Last Samurai, Pirates of the Caribbean, We Are Marshall, Spider-Man 2, Lost and The...
Orchestra.
Also in 2004, film composer Paul Haslinger
Paul Haslinger
Paul Haslinger is an Austrian-born composer and musician currently based in Los Angeles, California.- Life and career :...
asked Wendler to join his team as an arranger, orchestrator, and music programmer, resulting in work on the movies Into the Blue, Turistas
Turistas
Turistas is a 2006 American thriller film directed and produced by John Stockwell. In some regions of the world, such as France, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and the UK, the film has been released under the alternative title Paradise Lost.-Plot:Three young American tourists, Alex , his sister...
, The Fifth Commandment, and Gardener of Eden
Gardener of Eden
Gardener of Eden is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Connolly. It stars Lukas Haas, Erika Christensen and Giovanni Ribisi.- Plot :...
, as well as the second season of the Showtime series, Sleeper Cell. During this time, Wendler also wrote additional music for the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
reality
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series, Fear Factor
Fear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
.
In 2007, Wendler was hired to score the internet series, The Interior (soundtrack released by Perseverance Records
Perseverance Records
Perseverance Records is a record label which releases film scores on CD and online. Releases are usually accompanied by extensive, well-researched booklets...
as an online exclusive album), and in late 2008 / early 2009, he wrote the music for the U.S. version of the film, Broken Angel
Broken Angel (film)
Broken Angel is an adaptation of the novel 'Windy City' , the film tells the real life story of Ebru, a Turkish girl who came to America in the 1980s and fell prey to the image of fame and fortune. It is produced by Warner Bros. and is to be released on 14 March 2008.-Plot:A young Turkish girl...
.
In November 2009, artistic director and conductor Christopher McCafferty commissioned a piece for a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
from Edwin Wendler. The Illumni Men's Chorale premiered the resulting Winter Medley at its inaugural concerts on December 19 and 20, 2009, in the Seattle area.
Composer John Ottman
John Ottman
John Ottman is an American film editor, composer and director.He is best known for his collaborations with film director Bryan Singer, acting as film editor and composing the scores for The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns and most recently...
hired Wendler as orchestrator on the 2010 movie, The Losers
The Losers (film)
The Losers is a 2010 American action based on the adaptation of the Vertigo comic book series of the same name by Andy Diggle. Directed by Sylvain White, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans....
.
Solo
- Azureus Rising (OST, 2010) on Westwood Music Group (WEDD-1182)
- Cheshire Adventures (OST, 2009) on Westwood Music Group (WEDD-1179)
- Home - The Horror Story (OST, 2009) on Westwood Music Group (WEDD-1178)
- The Interior (OST, 2008) on Perseverance RecordsPerseverance RecordsPerseverance Records is a record label which releases film scores on CD and online. Releases are usually accompanied by extensive, well-researched booklets...
(PRDI-025) - Wrong Hollywood Number (OST, 2008) on Westwood Music Group (WEDD-1169)
Arranger/Programmer/Orchestrator for John Ottman
- Unknown (OST, 2011) on Varèse SarabandeVarèse SarabandeVarèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
- The Losers (OST, 2010) on Pale Blue Ltd.
Arranger/Programmer/Orchestrator for Stephen Trask
- Little Fockers (OST, 2011) on Varèse SarabandeVarèse SarabandeVarèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
Arranger/Programmer/Orchestrator for Paul Haslinger
- Sleeper Cell: American Terror (OST, 2007) on Lakeshore RecordsLakeshore RecordsLakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment . They started out as WILL Records.Will Records were started by Skip Williamson in the early 90s...
- Turistas (OST, 2007) on Fox MusicFox MusicFox Music is the music arm of 20th Century Fox. It encompasses music publishing andlicensing businesses, dealing primarily with Fox Entertainment Group television and film soundtracks...
Solo
- Christmas With A Capital CChristmas with a Capital CChristmas with a Capital C is a 2010 Christian-themed film directed by Helmut Schleppi. The film's plot was based on a song of the same name by Christian band Go Fish, which in turn was inspired by one of actor Brad Stine's stand-up comedy routines...
(2010) - Broken AngelBroken Angel (film)Broken Angel is an adaptation of the novel 'Windy City' , the film tells the real life story of Ebru, a Turkish girl who came to America in the 1980s and fell prey to the image of fame and fortune. It is produced by Warner Bros. and is to be released on 14 March 2008.-Plot:A young Turkish girl...
(2008, U.S. Release: 2011) - Wrong Hollywood Number (2003)
- Home - The Horror Story (2001)
Arranger/Programmer/Orchestrator for John Ottman
- Unknown (2011)
- The Resident (2011)
- The LosersThe Losers (film)The Losers is a 2010 American action based on the adaptation of the Vertigo comic book series of the same name by Andy Diggle. Directed by Sylvain White, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans....
(2010)
Arranger/Programmer/Orchestrator for Paul Haslinger
- The Fifth Commandment (2008)
- Gardener of EdenGardener of EdenGardener of Eden is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Connolly. It stars Lukas Haas, Erika Christensen and Giovanni Ribisi.- Plot :...
(2007) - Sleeper Cell: American TerrorSleeper Cell (TV series)Sleeper Cell is a one-hour drama on the Showtime network that began airing on December 4, 2005. The tagline for the first season was "Friends. Neighbors. Husbands. Terrorists." and the tagline for the second season was "Cities. Suburbs. Airports. Targets." The series was nominated for an Emmy award...
- Television Series (2006) - TuristasTuristasTuristas is a 2006 American thriller film directed and produced by John Stockwell. In some regions of the world, such as France, the Republic of Ireland, Malta and the UK, the film has been released under the alternative title Paradise Lost.-Plot:Three young American tourists, Alex , his sister...
(2006) - Into the Blue (2005)
Reviews, Interviews, Articles
- Composer Spotlight on the Daily Film Music Blog
- Azureus Rising and Wrong Hollywood Number Soundtrack Reviews on Original Score
- Azureus Rising Soundtrack Review on ScreenSounds
- Azureus Rising Soundtrack Review and Interview on mfiles
- Azureus Rising Soundtrack Announcement on German World
- Cheshire Adventures Soundtrack Review on Film Score Click Track
- Cheshire Adventures Soundtrack Review on Sounds Of The Cinema
- Cheshire Adventures Soundtrack Review on BSO Spirit
- Home - The Horror Story Soundtrack Review on BSO Spirit
- Cheshire Adventures Soundtrack Review on MainTitles
- Cheshire Adventures Soundtrack Review on ScreenSounds
- Cheshire Adventures Soundtrack Review on Randall Larson's SOUNDTRAX
- Composer Spotlight on ScoreNotes
- Home - The Horror Story Soundtrack Review on ScreenSounds
- Home - The Horror Story Soundtrack Review on Film Music And More Besides
- The Interior Soundtrack Review on PopMatters
- The Interior Soundtrack Review on Soundtrack Geek
- The Interior Soundtrack Review on Randall Larson's SOUNDTRAX
- Wrong Hollywood Number Soundtrack Review on ScreenSounds
Collaborators
- Mike Ator
- Sandro Friedrich
- Autumn Kramer
- London Metropolitan OrchestraLondon Metropolitan OrchestraLondon Metropolitan Orchestra , founded in 1994, is a London-based studio orchestra whose primary function is to record music for film, television, and other multimedia projects...
- City of Prague Philharmonic OrchestraCity of Prague Philharmonic OrchestraThe City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra is a professional, philharmonic symphony orchestra, over 61 years old, predominantly it is composed of Czech and Slovak classical and jazz musicians...
- Leonardo Tucherman