Adolescence is often filled with tales of woe. I can remember sitting in the Hoyts Midcity Cinema in the early 1980’s with tears welling up in my eyes as Sigrid Thornton played, or pretended to play, Jessica’s theme in The Man From Snowy River. Weeping in a movie was highly unusual for a boy in his late teens, especially when it was just a person playing a piano that caused such an emotional response. The humiliation of a row of high school students jeering, ‘look at him! He’s crying’, stays with you for some time.
Who would have imagined, some 30 years later, I would again shed a tear induced by the very same piece of music, this time however, played not by an actor, but by the composer himself…Bruce Rowland! The tears were the same. The humiliation I felt as a high school student was replaced with elation and an overwhelming sense that I was privileged to be in the presence of genius.
I am sure Bruce would be the first to say that ‘genius’ is a bit over the top. However, when you consider his body of work over the years, I can’t think of another word that does him justice.
The music Bruce composed (in only three weeks!) for The Man From Snowy River is so timeless in its appeal and has become so strongly etched in our musical psyche that there is a tendency to forget that this is now a thirty year old work and was, in fact Bruce’s first score for a feature film. Ask Bruce what he’s most proud of and he’ll tell you, “it’s not the Man From Snowy River, it’s my most recent work.”
At the risk of appearing to be clinging to the past, we couldn’t resist asking Bruce to play Jessica’s theme. Bruce graciously agreed and given that every budding pianist at some time plays Jessica’s theme (there are countless versions on YouTube) you simply can’t beat seeing and hearing it played by the person who created it! Watch the video below and hear Bruce describe how he composed Jessica’s Theme.
Bruce and his wife Maria have lived in the Yarra Valley for over 40 years. Due to work commitments in the United States Bruce also spends time in Los Angeles where he has a house and studio.
Bruce and Maria enjoy many of the restaurants and wineries in the Yarra Valley. If you would like Bruce’s recommendations for his Top 3 places to visit – here they are…
Some of Bruce’s awards include:
- AFI Award – Best Score: The Man From Snowy River (1982)
- AFI Award – Best Score: Phar Lap (1983)
- AFI Award – Best Score: Rebel (1985)
- APRA Award – Best Score: The Man From Snowy River (1984)
- APRA Award – Best Score: Phar Lap (1985)
- APRA Award – Best Score: Return to Snowy River (1989)
- APRA Award – Best Score: The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello (2005)
- APRA Award – International Achievement Award (2005)
- ARIA Award – The Man From Snowy River Arena Spectacular (2003)
It was great to actually see Bruce Rowland playing that lovely song. He seems like such a nice, down-to-earth guy too.
Thanks, Joan
Thanks for your comment Joan. We agree you can’t beat seeing the composer play his own work and yes, Bruce is a delightful man. A real gentleman.
Genius is right!! Where can I find the jingles he’s done? A whole listing of his works in one place. How about a medley of jingles? I’ve been addicted to Bruce Rowland’s music since the Snowy River music. I practically pass out when I listen to the Snowy River soundtrack (from emotion!) which is on a weekly to daily basis still. Andre is great too. Never can get enough of them. I have watched so many hit movies since then and wished that Bruce Rowland had done the scores (Dances with Wolves, Titanic, and so on). Congratulations and THANK YOU Bruce Rowland – my life has been absolutely enriched because of your music. Whoa!!
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Thank-you Bruce for yet more of your lovely music in the latest movie The Cup. We are so proud to have men of your talent living in our neighbourhood!
I am bringing 35 people from Phillip Islnd Probus to healesville for a week 11th November, is their anyway we can get to meet you and hear your beautiful music. kindest regards Kaye Cannin
I grew up in the same town as Bruce and Maria. They are the loveliest people and we were always proud of our Bruce!!
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