César Benito Fernández is a composer, orchestrator, conductor and music producer from Marbella, Spain. He is widely recognized for his exceptional work in composing the music scores for some of Spain's most highly acclaimed and commercially successful TV series in recent years. These include La Chica de Ayer (the Spanish remake of BBC's Life on Mars), Los Protegidos and the internationally renowned hit The Time in Between (El Tiempo Entre Costuras), a period drama that shattered a twelve-year-old record in 2013 by achieving the highest ratings for the premiere of a prime time TV series in Spain. Furthermore, Benito's composition for the comedy series Allí abajo, also contributed to breaking the record once again in 2015, and making it the number one prime time TV series in Spain for three consecutive years.
The soundtrack album for El Tiempo Entre Costuras achieved remarkable success, reaching #1 on the iTunes Soundtrack Albums chart in Spain and #2 in the General category. This exceptional achievement was further enhanced by receiving numerous prestigious awards, notably the esteemed Iris Award for Best Music for Television, bestowed by the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Television in Spain. Additionally, during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, rhythmic gymnast Carolina Rodríguez captivated the audience with her ribbon routine, accompanied by Cesar Benito's music from the "El Tiempo Entre Costuras" score, which led to her earning an Olympic Diploma.
Benito pursued his musical education with dedication, studying piano, music theory, and composition at the Conservatorio Superior de Malaga in Spain, where he graduated with honors. In addition to his classical training, he expanded his knowledge by studying jazz arranging and composition in Madrid. Driven by his passion for music, he embarked on a transformative journey and moved to Boston to enroll at the esteemed Berklee College of Music. There, he excelled academically, graduating magna cum laude with a dual B.A. in Film Scoring and Contemporary Writing & Production. His remarkable talent and commitment earned him the prestigious Arif Mardin Award, recognizing his excellence in Music Production & Arranging.
Work
Film and television YearTitleFormatGenreCountry2026SiraTV SeriesMelodrama, Romance, PoliticalSpain2025Los Protegidos. Un Nuevo PoderTV seriesFiction, Fantasy, ThrillerSpain2023¿Preparados para el Tsunami?TV MovieDocumentarySpain2022Desaparecidos. La Serie (S3)TV seriesCrime, DramaSpain2021Desaparecidos. La Serie (S2)TV seriesCrime, DramaSpain2020Desaparecidos. La Serie (S1)BenidormTV seriesTV SeriesCrime, DramaRomantic ComedySpainSpain2019Allí abajo (S5)TV seriesRomantic ComedySpain2018SabuesosAllí Abajo (S4)The Russian BrideTV seriesTV SeriesFeature FilmComedy, MysteryRomantic ComedyThrillerSpain SpainUSA2017Allí Abajo (S3)TV seriesRomantic ComedySpain2016La sonata del silencio Allí abajo (S2)TV seriesTV SeriesRomantic TragedyRomantic ComedySpainSpain2015Allí abajo (S1)Algo Que CelebrarTV seriesTV SeriesRomantic ComedyComedySpainSpain2014Vive Cantando (S2)TV seriesComedy, MusicalSpain2013Vive Cantando (S1)<br/ >Avenged (AKA Savaged)TV series<br/ >Feature FilmComedy, Musical<br/ >Horror, FantasySpain<br/ > USA2012El tiempo entre costurasLos Protegidos (S3)TV seriesTV SeriesMelodrama, Romance, PoliticalFiction, Comedy, ThrillerSpainSpain2011Los Protegidos (S2)TV seriesFiction, Comedy, ThrillerSpain2010Los Protegidos (S1)Ways to Live ForeverTV seriesFeature FilmFiction, Comedy, ThrillerDramaSpainUK/ Spain2009La Chica de Ayer (Life on Mars)Cambio de SentidoTV seriesTV MovieFiction, DramaDocumentaryUK/ SpainMéxico/ Spain2008ShevernatzeFeature FilmDark ComedySpain2007Cielito LindoFeature FilmAction, AdventureUSA2006Mía SarahMadrid de arriba abajoFeature FilmTV ShowRomantic ComedyDocumentarySpainSpain
Discography YearTitleGenreCreditRecord label2022The Russian BrideSoundtrackComposer, ProducerPlaza Mayor Company2021AvengedSoundtrackComposer, ProducerPlaza Mayor Company2020Live from CordobaLive PerformanceComposer, Orchestrator, Conductor, ProducerPlaza Mayor Company2017La Sonata del SilencioSoundtrackComposer, Orchestrator, Conductor, Piano, ProducerPlaza Mayor Company2014El Tiempo Entre CosturasSoundtrackComposer, Orchestrator, Piano, ProducerMovieScore Media2011Ways to Live ForeverSoundtrackComposer, Orchestrator, Conductor, Piano, ProducerMovieScore Media2007Mía SarahSoundtrackComposer, Orchestrator, Conductor, Piano, ProducerFilmax Music
Awards and nominations
GoldSpirit Awards Year Category Project Outcome2014 Best Spanish Original Soundtrack El Tiempo Entre Costuras Best Music for Television El Tiempo Entre Costuras Best Spanish Composer Best Breakthrough Composer
Academy of Sciences and Arts of Television of Spain - Iris Awards Year Category Project Outcome2013 Best Music for Television El Tiempo Entre Costuras
International Film Music Critics Association Year Category Project Outcome2013 Breakthrough Film Composer of the Year Best Original Score for a Television Series El Tiempo Entre Costuras
Spanish Film Music Critics Awards Year Category Project Outcome2013 Best Score El Tiempo Entre Costuras Best Composer 2007 Best Breakthrough Composer
Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain Year Category Project Outcome2011 Best Music Ways to Live Forever 2007 Best Music Mia Sarah
Garden State Film Festival Year Category Project Outcome2007 Best Orchestral Composition Mia Sarah
Premio Internacional de Composición Coral “Villa de Rota” Year Category Outcome1995 Best Choral Composition
References iTunes Charts: El Tiempo Entre Costuras by Cesar Benito An Interview with Cesar Benito by John Mansell Review of El Tiempo Entre Costuras Original Soundtrack Album by John Broxton
External links