At the 25th World Soundtrack Awards held on October 25, 2023, in Ghent, Belgium, German composer Volker Bertelmann was honored as the Film Composer of the Year. His recognition stemmed from his exceptional scores for Edward Berger‘s “Conclave” and James Hawes‘s “The Amateur.” This marks Bertelmann’s second win of this prestigious award, having previously received it in 2021 for his compositions in “War Sailor,” “Memory of Water,” and his acclaimed Oscar-winning score for “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
Although Bertelmann could not attend the ceremony, he expressed his gratitude through a video message, acknowledging the creative freedom offered by his directors. He stated, “I recognize it’s so nice to have directors who let you do your thing when you can stretch the boundaries and experiment a bit more. It’s a collaborative process, but ultimately you have to find your voice.”
Celebrating New Talent and Established Legends
British composer Daniel Blumberg, recipient of this year’s Academy Award for Best Original Score for “The Brutalist,” was awarded the Discovery of the Year accolade at the event. The ceremony featured numerous other awards, including Theodore Shapiro, who won Television Composer of the Year for his work on the critically acclaimed series “Severance.” Shapiro expressed appreciation for the show’s unique approach to integrating music, thanking producer Ben Stiller for allowing music to play an essential role in the narrative.
This milestone event served not only to reward current talent but also to pay homage to the legends of the industry. The World Soundtrack Academy celebrated the contributions of Philip Glass and Michael Nyman, both of whom received Lifetime Achievement Awards. Their influence on film music has been profound, and they were further honored with a special concert titled “Minimalism in Motion: Glass, Nyman and Beyond.” This concert included performances of their works alongside contemporary composers like Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and Martin Phipps.
Unique Celebrations Marking a Quarter Century
The 25th edition of the World Soundtrack Awards included a special release of a triple album commemorating its history. The album features new recordings by Debbie Wiseman, known for her prolific contributions to film and television, and an expanded reissue of Craig Armstrong‘s first album. Additionally, a limited-edition vinyl set highlights over two decades of memorable performances.
Among the other notable winners, Laetitia Pansanel-Garric received the Public Choice Award for her work on “Hola Frida,” while Lorien Testard won the Game Music Award for “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.” The Belgian Film Composer of the Year title went to Ruben De Gheselle for his compositions in “Young Hearts” and “There Was, There Was Not.”
Young composer Bongseop Kim received the award for the Best Original Composition by a Young Composer, showcasing the fresh talent emerging in the film music industry. The event, rich in history and talent, underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in the field of film scores.
As the World Soundtrack Awards celebrates this significant anniversary, it continues to highlight the evolving landscape of film music, reflecting both tradition and modernity in its diverse offerings.
