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.
Dario Marianelli has quickly risen to the front ranks of Hollywood's composing inner circle with
a distinct feel for large scale pictures. Marianelli composed vivid, memorable music for The
Brothers Grimm and won himself an Oscar nomination for his historically referenced score for
Pride & Prejudice (both commented on HERE). Now Marianelli has done something that I've
been longing for: he's written a large scale score for an action epic that is also a pleasure to
listen to away from the movie. And what a score! With Marianelli's work on V For
Vendetta he shoots up into rarefied John Williams territory. And Hollywood has certainly
taken note -- Marianelli has been handed the plum assignment of composing the music for
the next Harry Potter film.
As for V For Vendetta itself, Marianelli infuses the movie with a patriotic sweep that is both
bracing and considering the "terrorist" plot of the picture, deeply ironic. The long opening
cue, "Remember Remember" sets the tone with Marianelli beautifully utilizing the large
symphony that performs the music. Percussive strings and brass propel the music forward
as Marianelli layers strings over the top. The music stops, pushes ahead, pauses and then
advances once more (it has hints of Williams' Jaws in its forward momentum), finally
finishing in a flourish of techno percussion.
This astonishing opening leads to the vintage "Cry Me A River" sung by the mournful, slow
as molasses Julie London (a favorite of the film's main character, the underground V). It's a
beautiful transition here (and in the film) and is followed by several eerily beautiful cues
("Lust at the Abbey" is a favorite). The oddly beautiful song "Bird Gurhl" by Antony & the
Johnsons comes as the disc is nearly over and simply augments Marianelli's majestic but
sad music.
The disc closes with "Knives and Bullets (and Cannons Too)," this time an out and out
propulsive march that accompanies V's final act of insurgency in the film. Appropriately, it
rises to a triumphant crescendo that mirrors the classical roots it was based on.
For fans of those big, bold, epic sounding scores -- this is the one for you. On
Astralwerks/Emd Records.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Week: TBD
a distinct feel for large scale pictures. Marianelli composed vivid, memorable music for The
Brothers Grimm and won himself an Oscar nomination for his historically referenced score for
Pride & Prejudice (both commented on HERE). Now Marianelli has done something that I've
been longing for: he's written a large scale score for an action epic that is also a pleasure to
listen to away from the movie. And what a score! With Marianelli's work on V For
Vendetta he shoots up into rarefied John Williams territory. And Hollywood has certainly
taken note -- Marianelli has been handed the plum assignment of composing the music for
the next Harry Potter film.
As for V For Vendetta itself, Marianelli infuses the movie with a patriotic sweep that is both
bracing and considering the "terrorist" plot of the picture, deeply ironic. The long opening
cue, "Remember Remember" sets the tone with Marianelli beautifully utilizing the large
symphony that performs the music. Percussive strings and brass propel the music forward
as Marianelli layers strings over the top. The music stops, pushes ahead, pauses and then
advances once more (it has hints of Williams' Jaws in its forward momentum), finally
finishing in a flourish of techno percussion.
This astonishing opening leads to the vintage "Cry Me A River" sung by the mournful, slow
as molasses Julie London (a favorite of the film's main character, the underground V). It's a
beautiful transition here (and in the film) and is followed by several eerily beautiful cues
("Lust at the Abbey" is a favorite). The oddly beautiful song "Bird Gurhl" by Antony & the
Johnsons comes as the disc is nearly over and simply augments Marianelli's majestic but
sad music.
The disc closes with "Knives and Bullets (and Cannons Too)," this time an out and out
propulsive march that accompanies V's final act of insurgency in the film. Appropriately, it
rises to a triumphant crescendo that mirrors the classical roots it was based on.
For fans of those big, bold, epic sounding scores -- this is the one for you. On
Astralwerks/Emd Records.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don't forget to check out previous soundtrack recommendations by visiting the ARCHIVES
Next Week: TBD
The rise of Dario Marianelli
(above) to the front ranks of
Hollywood composers has been
swift and with good reason: he
writes terrific scores. Here's a link
to an interview he did with
Soundtrak.net (a terrific site for
movie music by the by).
(above) to the front ranks of
Hollywood composers has been
swift and with good reason: he
writes terrific scores. Here's a link
to an interview he did with
Soundtrak.net (a terrific site for
movie music by the by).
