SOUNDTRACKS
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Soundtracks are a lot more than movie music...
...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week
I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting
a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a
listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago
Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll
focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard
soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
...or so I'm ready to argue as a 30 year devotee of this sorely under appreciated genre. So, in an effort to do my part, each week
I'll be making recommendations of soundtracks current and vintage, make a fuss over long awaited soundtrack scores finally getting
a well deserved release, and in general, make some noise about this often overlooked category. Beyond my long experience as a
listener and as a pianist and songwriter, both of which I've put to use in writing a quarterly soundtrack column for the Chicago
Tribune, I can only offer my recommendations. You'll discern my taste soon enough and upfront I'd like to make it clear that I'll
focus most heavily on SCORE soundtracks. In the end, all criticism is subjective but if I can point a listener toward a little heard
soundtrack or strongly advise you to either ORDER IMMEDIATELY or SKIP ALTOGETHER, all the better.
Though composer Alexandre Desplat hasn’t broken through to mainstream audiences with
one of those gut busting blockbuster scores (as of yet), he’s built a devoted following for his
graceful melodies and densely orchestrated scores. I first happened upon his music
watching Girl With A Pearl Earring in December of 2003. All throughout the screening I was
mesmerized by his shimmering melodies that helped cast a spell over the film. I raced out
to find the score which alas wasn't available but as soon as it was -- a few months later -- it
immediately went into my own private heavy rotation. And I'd heard enough of the score to
dub it the year's best. And here at Knight at the Movies I included the score in a
recommendation column I wrote title "Achingly Beautiful Soundtracks you MUST have."
Since then, I've eagerly followed Desplat's scores and have written about them from time to
time in my seasonal soundtrack roundups for the Chicago Tribune. In the latest I had this
to say about the composer's score for The Queen:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
one of those gut busting blockbuster scores (as of yet), he’s built a devoted following for his
graceful melodies and densely orchestrated scores. I first happened upon his music
watching Girl With A Pearl Earring in December of 2003. All throughout the screening I was
mesmerized by his shimmering melodies that helped cast a spell over the film. I raced out
to find the score which alas wasn't available but as soon as it was -- a few months later -- it
immediately went into my own private heavy rotation. And I'd heard enough of the score to
dub it the year's best. And here at Knight at the Movies I included the score in a
recommendation column I wrote title "Achingly Beautiful Soundtracks you MUST have."
Since then, I've eagerly followed Desplat's scores and have written about them from time to
time in my seasonal soundtrack roundups for the Chicago Tribune. In the latest I had this
to say about the composer's score for The Queen:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Recommendation: TBA
| Alexandre Desplat scores again with his score for The Queen |
These elements are again present in his compositions for “The Queen” which
focuses on Elizabeth II and, as would be expected, the music is both
majestic and exceedingly polite (immediately evident in the opening track).
But an undercurrent of tension builds as the score progresses (“People’s
Princess I and II”). Verdi’s “Libera Me,” performed by Lynne Dawson at the
funeral service for Princess Diana is also included.
focuses on Elizabeth II and, as would be expected, the music is both
majestic and exceedingly polite (immediately evident in the opening track).
But an undercurrent of tension builds as the score progresses (“People’s
Princess I and II”). Verdi’s “Libera Me,” performed by Lynne Dawson at the
funeral service for Princess Diana is also included.
IN HONOR OF DESPLAT'S OSCAR NOMINATION, I'M ONCE AGAIN REMINDING READERS OF
THIS EXQUISITE, FORMAL, AND YES, PLAYFUL SCORE -- IT SHOULD HAVE WON THE OSCAR!
THIS EXQUISITE, FORMAL, AND YES, PLAYFUL SCORE -- IT SHOULD HAVE WON THE OSCAR!