Hansel and Gretel - The Soundtrack Album

Getting 40+ of New Zealand's best classical musicians to play on your first orchestral album is no easy feat, but with the help of the NZSO, and YOU it's possible!

Hansel and Gretel is the first full length ballet production in NZ to have an entirely original orchestral score, composed by a female composer. I'm very proud of the work, and thankful to Royal NZ Ballet for commissioning it. BUT...there is currently no recording available for public release. I've got my friends at the NZSO rosining their bows and warming up.. I just need you to help make it happen.

I am raising funds for the conductor, production and engineering of the actual recording. The process will take 6 days of recording with the orchestral sections and 6 days of editing, mixing and mastering. The aim is produce a very high quality album with a brilliant filmic sound, and who better to deliver on this than John Neill, head of sound from Park Road Post.

Below is an outline of my costs for the project:

Musicians fee: Sponsored by the NZSO

Park road post production & Engineering: $18,000

Piano tuning/Misc admin costs: $400

Travel expenses: $500

Production assistant: $1,200

Video documentation: $3,000

CD Manufacturing: $2,250

I am setting my base cost at $19,800 and if I make this well before the deadline I will stretch the target to include some of the 'nice to have' costs that will fast-track the Album's release such as manufacturing of CDs and the opportunity to film the recording and make 'music videos'.

If you donate to my campaign, I can keep in touch with you so that you'll be the first to know how to get your sticky mitts on the album itself! I can't wait to share this music with the world!

Thank you for all of your support to make my dream Album come true.

Here are some glowing reviews of the score:

“Much of the production's success is owed to the eclectic and inventive score specially commissioned from Claire Cowan. It is full of danceable tunes derived from the era of great Hollywood musicals.”
- Christchurch Press

“This all said, the absolute triumph for me in a great collaboration is the music - a first as the first commission by the RNZB by a female composer! Claire Cowan has written a score to lift spirits and to admire.”
- Theatreview Auckland

“The music is cinematic, lively and superbly narrative. Its incorporation of different rhythms and some unusual instruments (bicycle horn, animals bones) strike the right balance between feeling fresh and contemporary, and remaining accessible for classical choreography. Leitmotifs for the major characters and Cowan’s clear emotive intention enable the audience to connect quickly with an unfamiliar score. On opening night adults clap along in Act Two, a sure sign of success.”
- Theatrescenes Auckland

Image credit: Stephen A'Court
Video footage credit: Jeremy Brick & Seven Sharp