Julius Dobos

Julius Dobos
Julius Dobos

Julius Dobos in 2010
Background information
Born 27 June 1976 (1976-06-27) (age 35)
Origin Budapest, Hungary
Genres Electronic music, Instrumental music, Ambient, New Age, Film scores, Orchestral music
Occupations Composer, producer
Instruments Synthesizer, Piano, other electronic instruments, recorder
Years active 1994–present
Labels EMI, Periferic Records, JDSP, Creative Shop Music
Website www.juliusdobos.com

Gyula Julius Dobos (born June 27, 1976 in Budapest, Hungary) is a composer and music producer, best known for his electronic and orchestral music releases worldwide, and for his film scores amd music used in major motion pictures and television programs in Europe and in the United States.

With Mountain Flying, his most popular album up to date,[1][2] Dobos became the first Hungarian composer of a large-scale orchestral-choral-electronic music project to receive international attention.[3][4][5] With seven album releases, including a platinum album, countless film- and television scores, Dobos is one of the prominent living music composers/producers with a Central European origin.[6]

Dobos’ distinct musical style is characterized by emotionally deep, haunting melodies and monumental instrumentation, unique sound textures and the extensive use of synthesizers and other electronic musical instruments. Although classically trained, the composer generally disregards the formal rules of music composition.[7][8] Dobos has been influenced by a wide range of musical styles and other art forms, however his works do not follow the trends of popular musical genres. Currently living in the United States, he primarily composes instrumental electronic music, exploring the uncharted territories of melody and sound.

Contents

Early life and education

Dobos started playing the piano at the age of five and writing music at nine.[1][9][9] After winning several district piano competitions, his interest turned towards composition. It was in these pre-teen years, when his father introduced him to the 70's and 80's electronic music. The young Dobos was greatly influenced by the sounds and musical worlds created by electronic music pioneers like Jean Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield, Vangelis, Rick Wakeman and the visual nature of Isao Tomita's Pictures at an Exhibition.[7] Following his dreams of creating musical worlds, or “visible music”, he found himself spending more time with composing than practicing the piano, and also obsessed with his new interest: learning about electronic musical instruments. He recorded his first collection of music pieces titled Mars in his parents’ living room with a very modest Yamaha synthesizer, borrowing his father’s two-track Teac X-7 reel-to-reel tape recorder.[10]

After quitting his piano classes, Dobos studied composition and film score composition at various institutions in Europe, including the Weiner Leo Music School in Budapest and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart in Germany, but never obtained a formal degree in composition. In a later radio interview,[11] Julius expressed his beliefs about Europe's classical music training methods and music education system in general: “These ideas including solmization are greatly beneficial for performers, but severely narrowing the vision of composers and limiting the development of their personal style to its full extent. They are restricting their personal artistic freedom to creating original music without having to obey the formal rules”. After selectively learning the composition and orchestration techniques he found beneficial for his personal approach, Dobos started composing music for radio and TV commercials, mainly in Hungary.

The first few local successes and his involvement with the electronic instrument-maker Roland Corporation, whose newly introduced synthesizers he composed music and designed sounds for, enabled him to build his modest home recording setup, consisting of only two synthesizers and a computer. This is where, at the age of 19, he composed the early "demo" version of Mountain Flying – the music that brought him international success three years later with the album of the same title.

Mainstream success: 1997–1999

Connecting Images

Dobos made his first appearance on Hungarian State Television 1,[7] performing his piece Mountain Flying on synthesizers. Although he received great feedback from the viewers, neither this television performance, nor later radio broadcasts of Mountain Flying raised the interest of record labels.

In 1997, Dobos met Zsolt Menesi, Regional Marketing Director for Nokia. Menesi was immediately impressed by the young composer’s original musical style, unique vision, warm personality yet rather strong opinion about the mainstream music scene of the time. Instead of a sponsorship he was initially looking for, Dobos was offered the opportunity to produce a promotional / for-sale Nokia-sponsored album about communication, styles of self-expression and of course, mobile phones. Albeit the topic was challenging to put into music, the resulting album, Connecting Images, featured Dobos’ own, distinct musical style, catchy melodies, monumental instrumentation, a 50-piece choir and Grammy® Awarded vocalist Márta Sebestyén on the track Connecting People. The album was exceptionally well received by listeners, to the satisfaction of Nokia. It was also a wakeup call for the country’s record industry, which had previously believed that there was no popular demand for music that did not belong to the mainstream or jazz or classical music category. The album reached platinum status in Hungary.[12][13]

Mountain Flying

The success of Connecting Images was followed by the large-scale realization of Mountain Flying, the expanded and revised version of the compositions from Julius Dobos’ teenage years. The main supporter of the project was Nokia. After 7 months of production, Mountain Flying was released in November 1999. The album, which was the first ever large-scale electronic-orchestral music production by a Hungarian composer,[3][4][5][13] featuring an 130-piece symphonic orchestra and choir, multitude of synthesizers evoking the sonic world of snow-capped mountains, and once again Márta Sebestyén on the track New Pangea, was an instant hit. The success of Mountain Flying quickly spread across Europe and taking advantage of early online distribution channels, reached the fans of electronic and modern orchestral music worldwide.

" Mountain Flying is an adventure in your fantasy, a movie score without a movie. It is the musical expression of feelings like freedom, openness and respect for nature" - the CD booklet reads.[14] Dobos often describes the project as an album “made without much of a compromise”,[3][8] referring to Nokia’s conceptual influence in Connecting Images and the resources and time the major production required.

Movie scores and other works in Europe

Dobos wrote his first major film score at the age of 22,[1][15] for the action-adventure movie Europe Express. Subsequently, he was named The Youngest feature film music composer in Central and Eastern Europe.[15][16] Although the movie was a moderate success, the score was praised by both movie critics and audiences. Pest Est (leading program magazine of Hungary) called the score "exceptional and atom-professional"[17] and Filmvilag (World of Film), Hungary's artistic movie review magazine wrote "Dobos' score would easily work in Hollywood superproductions".[18] No live orchestra, but a great number of electronic instruments and a large choir were used for the score, which featured several character themes and electronic soundscapes for various scenes.

In the following two years, Dobos composed more original music scores, including those for the movies Thend and Black Strawberries , a Balkan War-themed radioplay, as well as Musique concrète pieces for exhibitions and movie theaters.

Music production in the United States: 2000–2006

Television scores and Epic

Motivated by the creative possibilities of motion pictures and music, and at the encouragement of Black Strawberries director Marion Stuart, Dobos relocated to the United States in 2000.

Before getting more involved with the American film- and television industry, the orchestral-electronic piece Peter's Flight was born. The music commissioned by Aerobatics World Champion pilot Péter Besenyei for his musical stunt program at the World Championship of Aerobatics (2002) was produced in a rather unique way. The first time in the sport’s history, the pilot and composer reversed the order of production; it was not Besenyei who followed a chosen music track with his flight, as it is customary among pilots, but Dobos scored the video recording of Besenyei’s preferred aerobatic program, following musically every move, similarly to a film score. The instrumental music enthusiast pilot, and the composer whose favorite theme has been flying, became friends during the uniquely creative process.

In the following years, in association with a local music production company, Dobos composed music and programmed sounds for several popular television shows. His work can be heard on Dragon Ball Z (as part of Bruce Faulconer's team of arrangers), at the time number one anime show on Cartoon Network, an award-winning claymation series Red Planet Blues, for The Reality of Speed and Your House & Home television series.

In 2003, under the wings of his music production company, JDSProductions (later The Creative Shop ), Julius produced the high-energy electronic music album, Epic , which includes nine instrumental electronic tracks and five trance-pop songs. Although the music of Epic can be considered Dobos’ most mainstream album, the tones and sounds reveal a great attention to detail with original sound design and synthesizer programming. Epic was well received at its official premiere[19] at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, Florida in 2004, but due to the rapid changes in the music industry that resulted in lack of funding for promotion by major labels, the album became a limited edition release.

Feeling disenchanted by the absence of a truly creative process and the increasing use of ghostwriter composers in the film- and television music industry, Dobos looked for opportunities to satisfy his hunger for original music composition without forced artistic direction, and to return to his true, personal compositional style and the use of electronic instruments.

Electronic music library projects

Also in 2003, Dobos composed music for a music library project, and titled the album Tekno Chemistry . The sixteen rhythmically driving tracks (fourteen originals and two alternate mixes), features catchy melodies and custom-programmed synthesizer sounds. They are all themed around the distinct character of fourteen elements of the periodic table. The music from Tekno Chemistry has been used in various television shows and advertising.

ElectroScapes , another music library project followed soon. In an electronic music journey through space, every track of the album evokes a unique setting, a distinct sonic and musical environment of an "electronic landscape". Produced with extensive sound design and synthesizer programming, Dobos’ haunting melodies and textures make ElectroScapes a groovy yet ambient album with a unique character, making it easy to visualize the imaginary landscapes. The album was also the first major work of the composer that did not feature large instrumentation, rather it relied on multi-layered sonic textures.[20]

Independent years: 2007– current

Music in major movies

Re-organizing his production company and composition studio, The Creative Shop , Julius Dobos took a fresh approach with his music composition, focusing exclusively on producing various styles of electronic music.[21] He created music for use in such international blockbusters as Adam Sandler’s You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) and Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009).

Throughout 2009 and 2010, Dobos also wrote several individual pieces of electronic and ambient-electronic music, constantly evolving and altering his production approach, while keeping the characteristics of his compositional style.

Transitions

Under his label, Creative Shop Music, a new compilation album titled Transitions was released in December 2010, featuring many of Dobos’ individual music pieces written between 2005-2010. The title referring to the stylistic metamorphoses of the composer and his musical environment throughout the years, as well as the story of his transition into the film music industry and back into his career as a solo artist, the album features 19 (plus one hidden) tracks in styles ranging from electro-orchestral music (e.g. Fly Away, a piece reminiscent of Dobos' Mountain Flying album) to progressive electronic music (e.g. Electrohymn to Progression, a track showcasing Dobos' ambient-electronic side and sound design work).[22]

As the tracks of Transitions are arranged in chronological order based on their time of creation, the composer's darker period is identifiable by several unexpectedly aggressive titles such as Big Break and Reality, and can be placed between the years 2005 and 2008. The booklet of Transitions also confirms these dates with various adjectives and related track titles shown around a graphical timeline.[23] One can observe that this period matches the years of Dobos' negative experiences and general disappointment with the limited creative freedom allowed by the film- and music industry. [24]

Dobos deliberately chose the release date of December 27, right after Christmas, to make a point about not creating music for sale (as most labels strive to put out releases before the holidays), but publishing music that is not influenced by the typical routines of the film- and music industry.[24]

Hymn to The Fukushima 50

Following the events related to the Fukushima I nuclear accidents of 2011, Dobos composed a powerful musical tribute, titled Hymn to The Fukushima 50, to honor the Fukushima 50, the men and women making a great sacrifice by performing work in abnormal levels of radiation at the damaged reactors, and the survivors of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Having a personal connection with nuclear catastrophe victims as his grandmother had lost her life due to the effects of the Chernobyl disaster, Dobos was eager to raise awareness about the Fukushima 50, and to support the relief efforts by inspiring donations. He achieved the latter by publishing a 5-minute video, which features the Hymn to The Fukushima 50 music, precisely edited together with the video (not unlike the way film scores work), and asking viewers to donate to the Japan relief efforts through their choice of charity organization. In exchange for donations, Dobos offered a free download of the Hymn to The Fukushima 50. [25]

The emotional, powerful piece received highly positive feedback on YouTube, where the video was published. The piece received over 10,000 views in the first week, and over 30,000 views within three weeks of its launch. The concept of inspiring donations also worked, as on April 4, 2011, The Creative Shop reported approximately $10,000 in inspired donations.[26]

The Hymn features Dobos' typical mix of monumental electro-orchestral and electronic instrumentation, as well as thunderous percussion and sound design elements, and following a positive, uplifting feel, it ends with a mysterious sound and lack of happy ending. In the composer's words: "For those who have showed the word what being a patriot truly means, the Fukushima 50 Hymn expresses their heroism, the pain of Japan and celebrates the spirit of its people."[26]

Works in Progress

Having returned to his musical past, distinct composition style and the preference of analog, digital synthesizers and various other electronic musical instruments over the use of traditional orchestra, Dobos is currently at work on a new electronic concept album, which is expected to be released in 2011 or 2012.[10]

Musical style and instrumentation

Influences

The influence of the early electronic music pioneers including Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Isao Tomita, Kraftwerk, John Carpenter, and some contemporary the works of 20th Century composers such as Béla Bartók, Michael Nyman, Wendy Carlos, Karl Jenkins, Ennio Morricone,[3] combined with his strong desire for originality enabled Dobos to free himself of the strict rules and classical teachings of the conservative music education system, and forge his own, distinctive style.

Dobos’ music clearly reveals his European roots, his haunting melodies and chord structures instantly create deep, intense emotional experience for its listeners regardless of their cultural or social background.[4][5]

Instrumentation and sound design

Dobos’ music is well known for its monumental instrumentation. This is achieved by his use of a large number of textural and melodic layers, micromelodies and countermelodies, with the instrumentation often involving the combination of electronic, traditional western and ethnic instruments. The extensive and creative use of analog and digital synthesizers and software play a major role in adding both emotional depth and sonic complexity to his works. As the composer stated:

“The sound design work is an essential part of the music creation process. Using traditional instruments, you end up focusing on the notes and rhythm. But synthesizers add a new dimension to the music: sounds. With them, you start thinking in terms of tones, textures, feelings, moods – which are often more important than the melody itself.” (Julius Dobos)[10]

Dobos is known to use a wide array of synthesizers, music software, effect units and experimental techniques to create new sounds. These receive a prominent role in his album ElectroScapes , which features extensive sound design and sound programming work. In terms of equipment, studio photos[27] reveal the use of vintage analog synthesizers, such as the Minimoog, Crumar Spirit, Oberheim Matrix, Sequential Circuits Pro-One, and several modern virtual analog and digital synthesizers.

Discography

Studio- and compilation albums:

  • "Connecting Imges" (1998)
  • "Mountain Flying" (1999)
  • "Applied Moods – Selected Works of Julius Dobos" (2000)
  • "Tekno Chemistry" (2003)
  • "Epic" (2004)
  • "ElectroScapes" (2005)
  • "Transitions" (2010)

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b c Julius Dobos Official Website — Biography, The Creative Shop, Inc., 1998-11-20, http://www.juliusdobos.com, retrieved 2010-09-25 
  2. ^ All Music Guide — Julius Dobos by Cesar Lanzarini, Rovi Corporation, 2002-05-01, http://www.allmusic.com/artist/julius-dobos-p535299/biography, retrieved 2010-10-19 
  3. ^ a b c d Fulonfogva ("Grabbed By Your Ears") — Interview by Chief Producer Zsuzsa Csermely (#2), Radio Petofi, 2000-03-18, http://www.mr2.hu 
  4. ^ a b c "Julius Dobos" by Rafa Dorado — Review and interview in Margen Magazine, Issue 21, 2001, pg. 70-71 —, Margen Music Magazine, Spain, Summer 2000, http://www.margenmusic.com/english/audiomagazine/margen21.html 
  5. ^ a b c "Mountain Flying" by Gergely Boszormenyi, Article in Remote Magazine, February Issue, 2000, pg. 8., UPC (Hungary) / Liberty Global, Inc., 2000-02, http://www.upc.hu/rolunk/a_upc-rol/liberty_global 
  6. ^ Encyclopedia of 20th Century European Composers — Julius Dobos, pg. 259, Akademiai Kiado, 2006-06, http://www.akkrt.hu 
  7. ^ a b c "Close to Music" ("Zenekozelben") — interview by Elod Juhasz, Chief Producer: Lajos Csiba, Radio Petofi, 1998-01-31, http://www.mr2.hu 
  8. ^ a b Television interview by the morning program Napkelte, Hungarian State Television 1, MTV Zrt., 1999-12-19, http://www.mtv.hu 
  9. ^ a b Interview by Elod Juhasz in Zenebutik (Music Boutique), Hungarian State Television 1, MTV1, 1998-03-08, http://zenebutik.euroweb.hu 
  10. ^ a b c Studio interview by T. Niaronava, November 6th, 2010, T. Niaronava, 2010-11-06 
  11. ^ Fulonfogva ("Grabbed By Your Ears") — Interview by Chief Producer Zsuzsa Csermely, Radio Petofi, 1999-05-22, http://www.mr2.hu 
  12. ^ Nokia Press Release — Connecting Images, Nokia, 1999-05-04, http://www.nokia.hu 
  13. ^ a b Periferic Records Press Release — Julius Dobos’ Mountain Flying, Periferic Records, 1999-11-01, http://www.perifericrecords.com 
  14. ^ Mountain Flying CD booklet — Julius Dobos, Periferic Records (1999-2000) / Creative Shop Music (2001-), 1999-11-01, http://www.thecreativeshop.com 
  15. ^ a b Europe Express Press Release, NBG Entertainment (later New Press Art Entertainment), 1999-02-04 
  16. ^ Art4me.com — Spotlight Area, Art4me.com, USA, http://www.art4me.com/theater.html, retrieved 2000-03-18 
  17. ^ "Europe Express" by Attila Galambos, Pesti Est Magazine, Vol. 8, Issue 11. pg. 6 —, Est Media Group, 1999-03-18, http://www.pestiest.hu 
  18. ^ "Europe Express" by Tamas Gyurkovics, World of Film (Filmvilag), Vol. XLII, April Issue, pg. 56 —, World of Film Foundation (Filmvilag Alapitvany), 1999-04-01, http://www.filmvilag.hu 
  19. ^ JDSPorudctions Press Release — Epic, JDSProductions International, 2004-02-28 
  20. ^ "ElectroScapes" — Online article by Creative Shop Music Publishing, The Creative Shop, Inc., 2007-04-30, http://www.thecreativeshop.com 
  21. ^ Press Release by The Creative Shop — March 6th, 2007, The Creative Shop, Inc., 2007-03-06, http://www.thecreativeshop.com 
  22. ^ Press Release by the Creative Shop — December 27th, 2010, The Creative Shop, Inc., http://www.thecreativeshop.com/press_releases_jd/transitions_release.pdf 
  23. ^ Digital Booklet of Transitions, The Creative Shop, Inc., December 27, 2010, retrieval date 2011-04-02, http://www.thecreativeshop.com/press_releases_jd/Transitions_digital_booklet.pdf 
  24. ^ a b Transitions of the Many Kinds — by Julius Dobos, December 31, 2010, The Creative Shop, Inc., retrieval date: 2011-04-02, http://www.juliusdobos.com/the-philosophy-behind/transitions-kinds/ 
  25. ^ Fukushima 50 Hymn - a Tribute — Creative Shop Music, March 19, 2011, Creative Shop Music, retrieval date: 2011-04-02, http://www.juliusdobos.com/news/tribute-fukushima-50-hymn/ 
  26. ^ a b Hymn to the Fukushima 50 - more than just a score — by Julius Dobos, April 4, 2011, Creative Shop Music, retrieval date: 2011-04-10, http://www.juliusdobos.com/the-philosophy-behind/hymn-fukushima-50-score/ 
  27. ^ Julius Dobos studio photos — at the official website, The Creative Shop, Inc. retrieval date: 2011-04-02, http://www.juliusdobos.com/gallery/?album=1&gallery=1 

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