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Maria Molinari

Composer for the Screen and the Concert Stage
ABOUT

About

Trained as a classical guitarist, Maria Molinari began her composing career writing concert music for soloists, chamber groups, ballet and orchestras until her love of film, storytelling & collaboration drew her to film scoring. A melodically driven composer, Maria’s love of film scores began with the tuneful, soaring themes of John Williams and the haunting harmonies of Thomas Newman. She cites among her strongest influences the music of Prokofiev, Debussy, Stravinsky, Arvo Pärt, Jerry Goldsmith and Dario Marianelli.

 

Maria recently composed the score for the bold critically acclaimed anthology film TO THE NEW GIRL. Based on playwright Samantha Macher's celebrated female-driven stage production of the same name the award-winning film features an all-female creative team & cast. Her music can been heard in the score for the feature film END OF DAYS, INC. starring Mark O'Brien (CITY ON A HILL) and the theme for the forensic series MOTIVES & MURDERS: CRACKING THE CASE. She has provided additional music for the MARVEL COMICS based sci-fi syndicated series MUTANT X and the retro musical comedy series GETTING ALONG FAMOUSLY. Maria’s screen projects have enjoyed international broadcast as well as winning awards and playing at celebrated festivals including TRIBECA, VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL, BLOOD IN THE SNOW FESTIVAL and the CANADIAN FILM CENTRE WORLDWIDE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL. 

Critically acclaimed violinist MOSHE HAMMER, the VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA dancer/choreographer Stephanie Hutchison have premiered Maria’s concert works. Her prizewinning setting of ‘Willow Song’ from Shakespeare’s OTELLO in the STRATFORD FESTIVAL OF CANADA’S Composition Competition for Young Composers; an arrangement of the song for symphony orchestra and soprano soloist was subsequently commissioned and premiered by the GUELPH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Maria’s virtuosic three movement violin and piano work TRE PEZZI PER VIOLINO E PIANOFORTE has been performed internationally; its exciting movement DANZA has been released by the piano and violin MATHIEU-CHUA DUO on the Centrediscs/Centredisques label.  Occasionally the film and concert music worlds collide as they did in a commission to compose original scores for the classic silent films THE PAWN SHOP (Charlie Chaplin) and MIGHTY LIKE A MOOSE (Charley Chase).  Performed live by the CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF MISSISSAUGA the scores were received enthusiastically at a live performance to screenings of the films at the MISSISSAUGA LIVING ARTS CENTRE.

 

Maria studied composition at the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO with Alexander Rapoport, and film scoring at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES with iconic film composers ELMER BERNSTEIN, LEONARD ROSENMAN, DAVID RAKSIN & CHRISTOPER YOUNG.  

 

Maria is both a Canadian citizen and a citizen of the European Union.

MUSIC
TESTIMONIALS
“[End of Days, Inc.'s] total package is bolstered by a quirky musical score from collaborators Maria Molinari and Rohan Staton.” 
 
 - TwitchFilm.com
“Maria has great skill as a composer and on top of that she's terrific to work with. She's highly professional and her goal, first and foremost, is to help you realize your vision.”
 
- Jennifer Liao, Director/Producer: End of Days, Inc., Blood & Water
“This has been an incredible experience from start to finish. You gave us an incredible (Olympic) effort! The score exceeded our expectations in so many ways." 
 
- Stephanie Law, Director/Writer/Producer: Little Miss Jihad, After the Quake
“Maria's work has elevated Hellbox to a whole new level. I can't imagine anyone else scoring this film. In fact, if I can swing it, I will never work with another composer.” 
 
 - David Scott, Director/Writer/Producer: Hellbox, Abhorrent; Owner: Form & Dynamics
“The camera work, editing, score and creepy settings blend flawlessly to create something truly atmospheric and utterly evil.” 
 
 - Nevermore-Horror.com review of Abhorrent
“The music is one of my favourite things about the movie!” 
 
 - Laura Hunter Drago, Producer: To the New Girl
“I couldn't imagine C.E.O. with any other score.” 
 
 - Sandy Kellerman, Producer C.E.O.End of Days, Inc.
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