Orchestra Filming & Performance Video Direction
I'm Robin Piree, a director and editor with over 10 years of experience creating films for music artists, record labels, and production companies.
I specialise in directing and editing orchestral performances, from live concert recordings to studio sessions where musicians perform alongside a full symphony orchestra.
My work includes directing and editing HAEVN's Symphonic Tales orchestral recordings in 2019 and returning to work on their Symphonic Tales II project in 2026.
Whether you're an artist planning an orchestral release, an orchestra looking to film a performance, or a production company searching for an experienced director or editor, I'd love to hear what you're working on.
Filming HAEVN's Symphonic Tales
One of my favourite parts of filmmaking is working with music.
There's something special about watching an orchestra perform. The interaction between the musicians, the conductor, and the music itself creates moments that are difficult to recreate in any other setting.
I've had the opportunity to capture those moments through my work with the Dutch band HAEVN.
HAEVN — Symphonic Tales (2019)
In 2019, I directed and edited Symphonic Tales, a series of six orchestral performance videos recorded at Galaxy Studios in Belgium.
HAEVN wanted to record six songs from their debut album with a 50-piece symphony orchestra and release accompanying videos.
The challenge was filming the musicians during the actual recording sessions without interfering with the audio recording.
We worked across three separate studios, with three cameras and a limited number of performances to capture every angle we needed.
I planned the camera movements and coverage around the music, working closely with cinematographer and the production team to make the most of the recording sessions.
After filming, I brought the different performances and camera angles together in the edit to create six individual music films.
The result is a series of videos that allows the viewer to experience the music while getting closer to the musicians performing it.
If you're interested in how we approached the production, I also wrote a detailed behind-the-scenes article about filming Symphonic Tales.
HAEVN — Symphonic Tales II (2026)
In 2026, I returned to direct and edit orchestral performance footage for HAEVN's Symphonic Tales II project.
The new recordings brought HAEVN's music together with a 40-piece orchestra at Galaxy Studios.
One of the released films is Promise (Symphonic Version), which I directed and edited.
It's another example of the kind of work I enjoy most: finding a visual approach that supports the music while allowing the performance to remain the centre of attention.
Orchestra Filming for Live Concerts & Recording Sessions
Not every orchestral performance needs to be filmed in the same way.
A live concert has different possibilities and limitations from a studio recording session. The venue, number of musicians, available cameras, recording schedule, and intended final film all influence the approach.
I work with artists, orchestras, composers, labels, and production teams to find the right visual direction for each project.
Live Orchestra Concert Filming
A live orchestral concert happens in the moment. The musicians, conductor, soloists, and audience are all part of the performance, and there may only be one opportunity to capture it.
For concert filming, I focus on how the camera coverage can follow the music while preserving the atmosphere of the performance.
Depending on the project, that might involve directing a multi-camera recording of an entire concert, concentrating on particular pieces, or creating a shorter concert film.
I also directed HAEVN's Up Close & Live in Carré Amsterdam concert film, which brought the band together with a string ensemble and gospel choir for an intimate recorded performance.
Filming Studio Orchestra Recording Sessions
Orchestral recording sessions present a different creative challenge.
Unlike a live concert, the primary purpose of the session is often to record music. The cameras need to work around the musicians, conductor, recording engineers, and studio schedule.
Through my work on Symphonic Tales, I've experienced how important it is to plan the filming without disrupting the recording itself.
Whether you're recording orchestral versions of existing songs, capturing a composer working with an ensemble, or documenting a studio performance, I can help direct the visual side of the project.
The professional audio recording remains the responsibility of your recording engineers or audio production team.
Directing Multi-Camera Orchestral Performances
When filming an orchestra, capturing the performance from several angles is only part of the process.
The real challenge is deciding what the audience should see at any given moment.
Sometimes it's the conductor leading the musicians. Sometimes it's a soloist, a particular instrument, or a wider shot that shows the entire ensemble performing together.
I like to approach these decisions through the music itself.
Before filming, I want to understand the arrangement, the important moments in the performance, and how the different camera angles might work together in the final edit.
Having experience as both a director and editor helps me think about those decisions before the cameras start rolling.
The number of cameras and the filming approach will always depend on the performance, venue, production team, and available resources.
Editing Orchestral Performances Into Finished Films
For me, editing a musical performance isn't simply about switching between camera angles on every beat.
It's about understanding the music and finding a visual rhythm that feels natural to the performance.
Some moments benefit from a close-up of a musician. Others are stronger when the camera stays wide and allows the audience to take in the entire orchestra.
Knowing when to change perspective, when to follow a particular instrument, and when to let a moment breathe can make a significant difference to the final film.
When editing multi-camera orchestra recordings, I work with the available performance footage, synchronise it with the professional audio recording, and shape the material into a finished video.
I've also worked on projects where I wasn't involved in the original filming.
My first collaboration with HAEVN, for example, involved editing existing footage of an orchestra recording in Budapest. That project eventually led to me directing Symphonic Tales the following year.
So whether you need someone to direct the filming from the beginning or already have footage that needs editing, I'm happy to discuss both possibilities.
From Orchestra Recording to Concert Film
An orchestral performance can become more than one type of film.
Depending on what you're recording and how you plan to release it, the footage might be used to create a complete concert film, individual performance videos, or shorter promotional edits.
For an artist releasing orchestral versions of existing songs, individual videos can accompany each music release.
For an orchestra or concert organiser, a longer film might be the main priority.
The intended result is worth discussing before filming begins, as it influences how the performance should be covered and what material will be needed in the edit.
I can help shape those decisions from a directing and editing perspective, then work towards the agreed final deliverables.
Working With Your Production & Audio Teams
I work as an independent director and editor rather than operating a full-service orchestra filming company.
That means my main responsibility is the creative direction of the film and, when required, editing the finished performance.
If you already have a production company, cinematographer, camera crew, or broadcast team involved, I can join your existing setup.
Alternatively, I can collaborate with experienced production partners who handle the practical side of filming, including equipment, crew, scheduling, and other production logistics.
For studio orchestra recordings, the audio engineers and music production team remain responsible for recording and mixing the music.
I believe it's important to establish everyone's responsibilities early, so the filming can work smoothly alongside the performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orchestra Filming
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Yes. I've directed orchestral performance filming during professional studio recording sessions, including HAEVN's Symphonic Tales at Galaxy Studios in Belgium.
These projects require careful planning around the musicians, recording engineers, studio layout, and available recording time.
My responsibility is the visual direction, while the audio team handles the professional music recording.
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Yes. I regularly collaborate with other filmmakers and production teams.
If you already have a producer, cinematographer, camera crew, or production company involved, I can join the project as a director or editor.
We can discuss the responsibilities and creative approach based on what your team already has in place.
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No. I specialise in the visual side of music filmmaking.
Professional audio recording, engineering, and mixing are handled by the client's audio team or dedicated recording specialists.
I can work with the finished audio recording during editing to bring the sound and picture together.
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Yes. You don't need to hire me to direct the filming to work with me as an editor.
If you've already recorded an orchestral concert or studio performance, I can review the footage and discuss how it could be shaped into a finished film.
The possibilities depend on the available camera angles, recording quality, audio, and intended result.
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A short introduction to your project is a good place to start.
It helps to know what kind of performance you're planning, where and when it will take place, whether there's already a production team involved, and what you'd like to create with the footage.
If you already have a creative brief, recording schedule, or reference videos, you're welcome to share those too.
From there, we can discuss how I might contribute and what the next steps could look like.
Let's Discuss Your Orchestral Performance
If you're an artist, composer, record label, orchestra, or production company planning an orchestral performance film, I'd love to hear about it.
Whether you need someone to direct the recording, edit existing footage, or help develop the visual approach together with your team, feel free to get in touch.
Tell me a little about the music, the project, and what you're hoping to create.