Paul Cristo

Paul Cristo
Cristo prior to premiere of ‘Festa’
Born	Paul Hardesty Cristo (1980-01-02) January 2, 1980 (age 37) Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nationality	American
Occupation	composer, conductor
Website	http://www.paulcristo.com

Paul Hardesty Cristo (born January 2, 1980) is an American composer and conductor. His focus is specific to film scoring, but has composed other works as well.

Paul Cristo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1992, Cristo moved to Phoenix, Arizona with his family. He attended Arcadia High School and graduated in 1998. He later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and in 2001, received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition, graduating magna cum laude.

After graduation, Cristo moved to Los Angeles to pursue his film scoring career.

Cristo’s compositions lean mainly toward the large-scale orchestral sound of the late 19th century- notable for counterpoint, texture, chromaticism, harmonies and orchestration, employing an elaborate use of leitmotifs. His music reflects an influence from Wagner, and the more contemporary John Williams.

Prior to completing his studies at Berklee, Cristo’s first commercial film composition was for the award-winning horror art film, Little Erin Merryweather (released in 2003). Cristo conducted a professional orchestra as well as the University Chorale of Boston College at one of the cathedrals on the Boston College campus. The use of the Chorale in the style of a Wagnerian-chant, enhanced the dark nature of the film.