Henri Scars Struck is a French music composer & producer based in New York. For the last 25 years, he has written, arranged, produced and recorded music for artists, films and dance performances, as well as art installations and corporations. His work is characterized by an unusual versatility of musical styles, spanning classical to hip-hop.
Grammy Award winner, Henri has collaborated with artists such as Malcolm McLaren, Thierry Dreyfus, Yves Saint Laurent, The Police, Charles Aznavour, Barry White, De La Soul, Andy Hughes (The Orb), Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys and Deepak Chopra.
He has been commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture to write music for art installations in landmarks such as the French National Library and Chateau de Versailles, and by the city of Paris for a Thierry Dreyfus installation in Cathedral Notre Dame De Paris, which attracted more than 50,000 people in 6 hours.
In 2014, he was commissioned by the French and Chinese governments to compose and perform a music piece at the Grand Palais in Paris for the 50th year anniversary of France recognizing China. This piece for piano and guzheng (Chinese harp) was performed live before dignitaries of both governments and 5,000 guests. In 2015, Struck composed music for "W Magazine - Shooting Stars exhibition at LACMA museum celebrating the work of fashion photographers Steven Klein, Juergen Teller, Tim Walker and Mario Sorrenti.
In 2016, Struck was commissioned to compose and produce an original soundtrack for a rare Salvador Dali sculpture exhibition in Barcelona, Spain, at the Le Méridien Ra Hotel. Until then, with 34 sculptures, there had never been such an extensive installation of this prolific master's three-dimensional work. The 45-minute soundtrack (played via headphones) provided a natural accompaniment to the visitor's exploration of these works of art.
Struck's interest and commitment to the arts and preservation initiatives can also be seen in the film "Frederic Church's Olana" for which he composed an original score. The film explores 50 years of preservation efforts by private citizens and public officials ~ including the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy and Governor Nelson Rockefeller ~ culminating with Olana becoming a New York State Historic Site.
In 2007, Struck composed a ground-breaking 24-hour original soundtrack exclusively for Le Méridien Hotels (Starwood Hotels & Resorts), in support of the brand's re-launch with their new program "Unlocked Art". The auditory experience was implemented in 110 properties worldwide and involved music for two moments critical to the guest experience: when guests enter the hotel and as they ride the elevator to their rooms or other parts of the hotel. The soundtrack was divided into four sections of 6 hours: morning (waters), afternoon (forests), evening (markets & cafés) and night (crickets & campfires). It incorporated rich natural sounds and original music compositions influenced by different cultures from around the globe. This program of work earned many awards such as "Best Innovative Concept in Full Service Hotels" at the 2009 Worldwide Hospitality Awards and garnered a lot of press.
In the world of fashion, Struck has created soundtracks for many prestigious fashion houses, notably Yves Saint Laurent. He was responsible for the music of the master's final show at Le Centre Pompidou in 2002, a forty year retrospective of iconic and culture changing designs for women. Working with Pierre Bergé and collaborating with Catherine Deneuve and Laetitia Casta as they sang their homage to the master in the finale. The widely acclaimed show, orchestrated by artistic director Thierry Dreyfus, ran for 90 minutes and incorporated in excess of 380 unparalleled signature dresses/suits. Henri has also worked with brands in fashion, beauty and luxury such as Rochas, Louis XIII, Moncler, Nike, Estée Lauder, Cartier, Giorgio Armani, Levi's, Rag & Bone, Max Mara, Kith, Smythson, Jimmy Choo, Sophie Theallet, Parsons MFA and Jahnkoy.
Composing music scores for film remains an ongoing passion for Struck. He is as comfortable creating the film score for an art-house film "A Big Road" shot in/around Shanghai, as he is working in Kinshasa (DRC), composing and recording the music for the feature film "John Of God". The latter was presented at the Pan African Cannes Film Festival and the African American film festival (NYC). Notably, Struck was responsible for the original music of the much lauded documentary "Danny Says", the story of music journalist and publicist Danny Fields who was pivotal in launching the careers of The Doors, MC5, The Stooges, the Ramones (co-manager) and many others. Rolling Stones Magazine refers to Danny Fields as "the man who almost undoubtedly helped shape whatever music you are listening now". This music documentary premiered at South by Southwest (March 2015) with rave reviews (Variety), and was then selected as the opening night film of the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Sound + Vision Festival. Magnolia Pictures subsequently acquired the worldwide rights and the film had its general release in September of 2016. "Danny Says" is now on Netflix and has since been nominated for a Critics' Choice Award: Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary.
Photo Credit - Sandra Fourqui