Cinematic Moods

Film
A concise demo of stylistic cues for a wide range of cinematic settings, including: A) Drama B) Suspense C) Intrigue and D) Cartoon

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"The Offering"

Film
A Film by Antonio Sarmiento.  "The Offering" is a story which exposes the precarious balance between commerce and humanity as it follows the parallel journeys of a $5 bill and one man's moral boundaries.  Click on the image to visit the official website.

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"Gabriela"

Film
Released in 2001, "Gabriela" marks Leo's first theatrical feature credit as composer. Essentially a romantic comedy, this film follows a love triangle through various locales and settings. Leo's music follows the characters from techno dance clubs to romantic dinners to jazzy after-hours bars.

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"Aquaphobia"

Film
This 60's flavored mambo provides the optimistic sensibility behind filmmaker Geoff Gottlieb's short film about a man's determination to rid himself of his chronic fear of water.

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"The Big Adventure"

Film
Composed for a cartoon short in 1990, this piece shows Leo's style when given the resources of a full symphony orchestra. Action, adventure and suspense fuse in a musical chase following the grand Hollywood tradition.

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"Wexford"

Television
Leo's first series credit was for a Toronto based educational series dealing with current issues facing today's youth in schools. The music is funky and fun, if not a little retro.

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"Hawkeye"

Television
Leo's first on-screen composing credit was shared with composer Matthew McCauley for a television documentary entitled "The Making of Hawkeye; The First Frontier" for Stephen Cannell Productions. The American Revolution and its battlegrounds are vividly evoked in Leo's score.

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"To Each is Given"

Original Recording
His first album of original compositions, "To Each is Given..." , was released in 1998 and features musical settings of inspirational poetry.  This work is currently performed live throughout the US and Canada.

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"Facing The Dawn"

Original Recording
A new-age tape series providing "guided meditations for awaking the sleeping soul", "Facing the Dawn" explores the correlation between colors and associated emotional states. Leo's music brings these colors to life.

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"Christmas Canon"

Original Recording
Composed in 2000 for harpists Stephen Hartman and Kara Bershad (aka Tick Tock Harp Duo) for their album "Carols of the Winter Solstice," this work fuses the Pachelbel Canon with The First Noel in a charming arrangement for two harps.

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"Joan "

Musical
Yet to be staged, Leo's musical treatment of the story of Joan of Arc as told with lyricist Paul Dick's words has all the promise of a prequel to "Les Miserables". Here singer Todd Nelson plays the role of a young man confused yet entranced by young Joan's elusive qualities.

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"Pippi"

Musical
Lyricist David Mayerovitch teamed up with Leo to contribute songs for an animated feature based on Astrid Lingden's classic character. Her zesty personna is clearly captured here in a sample from one of her songs.

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Piano

Live Performance
Leo's musical output is not limited to composing, but has been widely regarded for his prowess as a performer at the keyboard. From solo recitals to guest artist appearances with various orchestras, Leo excels when it comes to romantic flair and rhythmic excitement. Here is an example from his performance of Gershwin's "Concerto in F" with the North York Symphony, Canada,

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Organ

Live Performance
Leo refers to his favorite musical instrument as akin to "having a symphony orchestra at your fingertips". The fingers literally fly here in this excerpt from Franz Liszt's "Ad nos Salutarem".

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