Tune in: Melody matters

After composing the background score for films like Peepli Live, The Fakir of Venice and Finding Fanny, French composer Mathias Duplessy was back in India for a musical tour. On the anvil were performances in Delhi, Bengaluru and Udaipur.

He was also recently involved with director Syed Ahmad Afzal’s Yeh Laal Rang, which is based on the “blood mafia”. Interestingly, Mathias composed the scrore sitting in Paris — via jamming session on Skype.

“I’ve used a lot of instruments, like the electronic guitar, for the score, it was a really interesting session,” said Mathias, of composing for YLR. “My favourite composition from the film is Aye Khuda. Syed explained to me the feelings he wanted. Even after six hours (of jamming), I wasn’t happy. So I was trying to get the mood he described, and immediately got the melody in my mind.”

Mathias plays a range of instruments and doesn’t believe in ‘digitised’ music — all his scores are recorded with live instrumentation. Here’s a ‘rapid fire’ round with Mathias, on his musical choices:

Song on repeat on my iPod: I am totally into classical music these days, be it recorded music or live concerts

What I listen to when I’m feeling blue: Song from Mongolia, Don’t Worry Be Happy

Music I loved growing up that I’m now embarrassed by: The music of The Police — and I’m not embarrassed by it!

I’d describe my taste in music as: Encompassing everything acoustic

My favourite time of the day/way to listen to music: Since I’m a musician, I never have a ‘specific’ time for listening to music, I enjoy it whenever I want

The one live act I would love to see at least once in my life: Stevie Wonder!