Scoring Americana and the Western Sound

The ASA is excited to be joined by composer and orchestrator David Krystal to take a look at Aaron Copland’s Rodeo and how he utilized techniques from it in a cue from his brand new album!

“Tunes in the Key of Hollywood” is an EP release of classic Hollywood-style film tunes recorded with a 70-piece orchestra at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA. Filled with colorful orchestrations, soaring tunes, and drama at every turn, it’s a thrilling adventure that should satisfy all fans of the genre.

David began working with composer Benjamin Wallfisch to orchestrate the Gore Verbinski thriller, A Cure for Wellness, starring Dane DeHaan and Mia Goth. Shortly afterwards, he re-teamed with Wallfisch, legendary composer Hans Zimmer, and world-renowned artist Pharrell Williams as the Supervising Orchestrator of the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures. David has continued working with Wallfisch on DC blockbusters Shazam! and The Flash.

Following the success of Hidden Figures, David went on to orchestrate some of the most successful horror films of all time, including It, Annabelle Creation, and It: Chapter Two. Additionally, David contributed to Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece, Dunkirk, and Ron Howard’s gripping drama Thirteen Lives. David is also a frequent collaborator of composer Trevor Gureckis, whose work can be heard on the 2021 M. Night Shyamalan thriller Old and the Amazon Prime series Hunters.

Other recent projects include orchestrating the Apple TV+ drama series The Crowded Room, orchestrations on Joseph Shirley’s score to Creed III, and orchestrations for Nick Urata on the Awkwafina Hulu comedy feature Quiz Lady. In early 2024 David launched the orchestration company, David Krystal Music Service (DKMS).