Matthew Sweet is joined by multiple award-winning composer A.R. Rahman to explore his extraordinary career in film music, including his best-known score - Slumdog Millionaire. In an exclusive interview, we hear about his relationship with his father, R.K. Sekher who was also a film music composer. A.R. Rahman tells Matthew about his early success in the Indian film industry, and why he decided to remain in the industry rather than become a rock musician. And we hear about his work in Hollywood on the comedy Couples Retreat. A.R. Rahman talks about recently turning his hand to directing with Le Musk, a Virtual Reality film he wrote, scored and co-produced that even uses specially created smells to evoke memories in the viewer. And we hear about his new appointment as Honorary President of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”
2025/6/02
37:16
Joe Hisaishi
Matthew Sweet celebrates the life and work of Studio Ghibli composer, Joe Hisaishi. Tune in for some of his most beloved music, with classic soundtracks including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle.Joe Hisaishi will make his BBC Proms debut this year, performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”
2025/6/02
17:46
Hans Zimmer on the concert platform
This special episode of Sound of Cinema features an exclusive interview with the legendary film composer and record producer, Hans Zimmer.Hosted by Matthew Sweet, this programme dives into the growth of live film music, exploring how scores are reworked for the concert platform.With a catalogue of iconic soundtracks including Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception, and The Dark Knight, Hans Zimmer is a household name. Tune in to find out how he got started in the music industry, where his inspiration comes from and how he prepares for a live performance.Sharing the stage in this episode is Debbie Wiseman, the award winning composer behind the music of Wolf Hall, and Bear McCreary, a composer who is celebrated for his work on Battlestar Galactica, God of War and more.To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema"
2025/6/02
25:09
Wallace & Gromit and the music of Aardman Animations
Evil penguins, chickens on the run and the mischievous sheep of Mossy Bottom Farm. Enter the unique musical world of Aardman Animations as Matthew Sweet celebrates the studio's iconic film scores with the release of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Matthew visits the Aardman Animation studios in Bristol to meet archivist Tom Vincent, where he encounters uniquely Aardman props, puppets and scores - even a real-life Were-Rabbit. Matthew also speaks to those involved in Vengeance Most Fowl at work in Abbey Road studios in London: filmmaker, animator and creator of Wallace & Gromit, Nick Park and the film's composers Julian Nott and Lorne Balfe.To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”
2025/3/06
32:00
And the Beat Goes On: percussion in film
Matthew Sweet bangs the drum for the inventive ways films use percussion. There's Tan Dun's taiko masterclass of a score in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the delicate and lyrical marimba in American Beauty, John Williams' ritualistic drums in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Justin Hurwitz's obsessive kit in Whiplash.To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".
South Africa