Christoph Zirngibl: Film composer

Christoph Zirngibl is an award-winning German film composer who has composed music for over 120 films as well as many TV series including the Apple TV+ series Where’s Wanda. It often strikes me that even with something as specific as some of Christoph’s advice about work flow for fellow film composers, that it can apply more broadly to all of us, whatever our pursuits.. You’ll be hearing a few clips from some of his projects in different musical styles, as well as his reflecctions on his formative student years, the strengths of the apprentice system and his interest in many aspects of filmmaking. I have previously featured a few film composers on this series, and some of these episodes are linked directly in the show notes for you. It’s such an interesting career path, and I find that each of these composers have unique musical backgrounds.

Like all my episodes, you can also listen to the podcast on many platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website

Christoph Zirngibl Website

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Adam Blau

Anze Rozman and Kara Talve

Kat Raio Rende

Pat Irwin

EmmoLei Sankofa Colin Aguiar

J. Walter Hawkes

Sandro Morales-Santoro

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) John Williams inspiration

(05:41) childhood Germany

(11:13) Flight of Bryan

(13:47) clip of Flight of Bryan

(14:47) Where’s Wanda, composing process

(22:35) clip of Where’s Wanda score Ralf Wengenmayr

(23:18) apprenticeship

(29:39) life balance and productivity for film composers

(32:02) other episodes you’ll like and how to support this series

(32:57) workflow organization

(37:12) the Unexpected Journey, love of orchestras

(42:04) life balance

(46:09) Hero of Centopia

(48:47) clip from Hero of Centopia

(49:50) filmmaking, reading

(55:35) Finis Terrae, Konstantin Ferstl

(58:18) excerpt from Finis Terrae score

(59:28) writing for voice, Finis Terrae, stollen

Photo: Steffen Rauschert