UPDATE (April 29): British composer Michael Nyman is set to be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the film music concert “Minimalism in Motion: Glass, Nyman and Beyond.” This event marks the conclusion of Film Fest Gent’s WSA Film Music Days 2025 and the 25th World Soundtrack Awards. It was previously reported that Philip Glass is also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nyman, who is 81, has been nominated three times for a Golden Globe for best original score – motion picture, for The Piano (1994), Gattaca (1998) and The End of the Affair (2000). His soundtrack for Jane Campion’s The Piano achieved No. 41 on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and has since been certified gold. Nyman has created numerous operas, six concertos, five string quartets, and various chamber pieces, many composed for his Michael Nyman Band. He is also an active performing pianist.
Trending on Billboard
Nyman will be honored on October 16 at Music Centre De Bijloke in Ghent during the film music concert “Minimalism in Motion: Glass, Nyman and Beyond” – a tribute to the development of minimalist film music. At this event, the Brussels Philharmonic, led by maestro Dirk Brossé, will perform a range of Nyman’s works.
PREVIOUSLY (April 5): American composer Philip Glass will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 25th annual World Soundtrack Awards on October 15 and at the film music concert that will close Film Fest Gent’s three-day Film Music Days 2025 on October 16 in Ghent, Belgium.
Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Marvin Hamlisch, John Barry, Giorgio Moroder and Elliot Goldenthal. (See the full list of prior recipients below.)
The festivities will take place at the film music concert “Minimalism in Motion: Glass, Nyman and Beyond,” set to occur at Muziekcentrum De Bijloke in Ghent. The concert will feature selections of Glass’ music performed by the Brussels Philharmonic, under the direction of Dirk Brossé, who awarded Glass the honor in New York.
Although initially known for his operatic and symphonic compositions, Glass has significantly impacted film music. He has garnered three Oscar nominations for best original score for Kundun, The Hours and Notes on a Scandal.
At 88, Glass has received numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Golden Globe Award, along with four Grammy nominations and a Primetime Emmy Award. additional honors include the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1995, the National Medal of Arts in 2010, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2018, and a Trustees Award from the Recording Academy in 2020.
Glass’s contributions were recognized at the World Soundtrack Awards in 2007 with two nominations for his score for Notes on a Scandal.
The WSA Film Music Days will occur from October 14-16 during Film Fest Gent (October 8-19). Tickets for the film music concert are available at filmfestgent.be and worldsoundtrackawards.com.
Here is the complete listing of past Lifetime Achievement Award honorees at the World Soundtrack Awards:
2024: Elliot Goldenthal
2023: Nicola Piovani and Laurence Rosenthal
2022: Bruno Coulais
2021: Eleni Karaindrou
2020: Gabriel Yared
2019: Krzysztof Penderecki and Frédéric Devreese
2018: Philippe Sarde
2017: David Shire
2016: Ryuichi Sakamoto
2015: Patrick Doyle and George Fenton
2014: Francis Lai
2013: Riz Ortolani
2012: Pino Donaggio
2011: Giorgio Moroder
2010: John Barry
2009: Marvin Hamlisch
2008: Angelo Badalamenti
2007: Mikis Theodorakis
2006: Peer Raben
2005: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
2004: Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
2003: Maurice Jarre
2002: George Martin
2001: Elmer Bernstein
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
