Hollywood composer Klaus Badelt to internationalize Tibetan music

[Photo/IC]

Renowned Hollywood composer Klaus Badelt is seeking to internationalize Tibetan music by combining original folk melody with symphony.

He has been working on the musical "Dream", which mixes original music from Lhasa, capital of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, and Baingoin county of Nagqu prefecture.

"It's an amazing opportunity for an artist to explore the rich history of Tibet," Badelt said.

Best known for film scores for Pirates of the Caribbean and Pearl Harbor, and as the only western composer in the Beijing Olympics closing ceremony, Badelt was drawn by the exotic music of Tibet when he first heard it.

During his first research visit to Tibet, an 83-year-old musician who had lived and worked in Tibet for more than 46 years shared with him all his collections of original Tibetan music.

"We were stunned when we heard it, we can feel the power of the music although we don't even understand the lyrics," said Yang Gefang, music director for "Dream", who was on the same trip.

"I feel like Tibetan music can be appreciated by all people despite their language and skin color," said Yang.

According to Yang, Badelt said most music has good and bad sections, but Tibetan music is "all beautiful".

After their trip, Badelt decided to keep the original songs and dances without changing them.

"My intention is to be very true to the original ancient song and dance. I want to incorporate and be influenced and inspired by these songs and dances," Badelt said.