David Hirschfelder
About
Biography
Biography
A former musician and music producer, David Hirschfelder garnered international attention and an Oscar nomination for his score and arrangements for "Shine" (1996), Scott Hicks' biopic of Australian pianist David Helfgott. He first gained attention in his native land as a member of the jazz ensemble Pyramid, which shared top billing at the 1993 Montrieux Jazz Festival. Hirschfelder has also worked as producer, composer and/or performer with a number of popular bands and classical artists like Little River Band. and flautist Jane Rutter. He enjoyed a particularly successful collaboration with Aussie pop star John Farnham that included four albums and several tours.
In the late 1980s, Hirschfelder began to branch out into film scoring, beginning with several TV-movies and documentaries (e.g., "Suzi's Story" 1987). By 1992, he had moved to the big screen with Baz Lurhmann's "Strictly Ballroom," providing the rousing and varied music which earned him a BAFTA Award. Other film credits include "Dallas Doll" (1994) and "Dating the Enemy" (1996). But "Shine" has earned him the most attention and accolades, including the 1996 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Score. He received renewed attention with his lush score for the lavish period biopic "Elizabeth" (1998), including another Oscar nomination.
Filmography
Music (Feature Film)
Music (Special)
Life Events
1980
Gained prominence in Australia as performer and composer with the jazz music group Pyramid
1982
Pyramid was selected to open the Montrieux Jazz Festival
1987
Scored the TV documentary "Suzi's Story"
1992
Scored first feature film, "Strictly Ballroom", directed by Baz Luhrmann
1992
Re-orchestrated, produced and performed on the Australian recording of the cast album for a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar"
1996
Gained international attention with the score for Scott Hicks' "Shine", based on the life of Australian pianist David Helfgott; earned first Oscar nomination
1998
Scored "Elizabeth", a lavish period drama about the life of the young Tudor queen; received Oscar nomination
