The power of Music: Top 10 film scores
My choice for the top 10 film scores instrumental only in the last 21 years
Having recently just re - watched the Christopher Nolan film inception, I was amazed of the impact that Hans Zimmer's score had on that final scene. In light of this I started thinking about some other scores that really worked well with the images/cinematography story line of the particular films. As you will probably tell from my list Hans Zimmer features prominently.
10. J.S Bach: Prelude and the Galapagos from Master and Commander:
Ah good old J.S Bach, no film score list would be complete without this Baroque composer. While his scores have been used in a plethora of film scores such as a couple of Woody Allen films, Lars von Trier (breaking the waves), David O Russell (three kings), M night Shyamalan (unbreakable), Danny Boyle (trainspotting), David Fincher (Seven) it is Peter Weir's use of Bach's famous and easily recognisable cello suite for solo cello no 1 in G major BMV 1007 that is my favourite use of this composer's great works.
9. Thomas Newman: Dead Already from American Beauty:
The first of my Thomas Newman scores that I will include. With Newman's scores if you listen closely you can hear all manner of weird sounds and instruments, put this together with Newman's clever ear, what comes together is quite unique. This music sums up the introduction to this film beautifully, its a little weird, it drives the beginning on with an eerie energy and it also matches the film's dark themes. This film score is also the start of a very productive working relationship between Sam Mendes and Thomas Newman.
8. Hans Zimmer: Way of life from The Last Samurai:
The first of the Hans Zimmer scores that really caught my attention the track way of life is peppered throughout the movie, in the following video you can see it used in the introduction as well as the wooden sword fight scene.
7. Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman: Promentory from The Last of the Mohicans:
Something from my childhood. The final scene from The last of the Mohican's is just breathtaking, even watching it now some 21 years later it still proves to be an epic and powerful ending helped in large part to the driving score a modern rendition of the Dougie Maclean violin tune the Gael.
6. Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor: In motion from the Social Network:
Being a huge NIN fan growing up, it was exciting news when I first heard that Trent Reznor was teaming up with one of my favourite directors David Fincher in the creation of a film soundtrack. To be honest I am a fan of this whole soundtrack, but 1 scene in particular that works so well is the opening scene during the creation of the face mesh app. The music here, just drives the scene and goes on to drive the whole film.
5. Gustavo Santaolalla: Wings from Brokeback Mountain:
When accepting his 2007 Screen Actor's Guild award Daniel Day Lewis commented on Heath Ledger's outstanding performance in Brokeback Mountain specifically his performance in the final scene. While I too rate Heath's performance in this scene, I do feel that the music used in the scene elevates the understated and nuanced performance of Heath, when the 2 work together here it leads on to cinematic gold.
4. Jonny Greenwood: entire score from There will be blood:
What an immense talent Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood is. This soundtrack works so well with the subject matter of Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will be Blood that its hard to focus down on 1 particular track or movement. Here are 3 of my favourite from this great film score. The first track is a remake of the Arvo Part composition: Fratres for Cello and piano, the second track is on the official soundtrack Prospectors Arrive.
3. Hans Zimmer: Time from Inception:
Nothing sounds quite like a Hans Zimmer score and while everyone may comment that a lot of his soundtracks sound the same, I beg to differ. Take for instance this track; time, it sounds both epic, yet has the emotional pull that help builds the emotional climax of the film. Also add in Johnny Marr's mysteroius electric guitar that is peppered throughout the track and also that haunting simple piano melody and you have quite a memorable mix of image and music.
2. Thomas Newman: Road to Perdition from Road to Perdition:
An emotional and beautiful track once again from Thomas Newman. The song while it evokes a great sadness, there is I feel a sense of lingering hope.
1. Hans Zimmer: Journey to the Line from the Thin Red Line:
There is a notable story that director Terrance Malick for the production of the Thin Red Line requested that Hans Zimmer create all the music for the film prior to the commencement of principle photography. During production Terrance used all this created music to assist his cast to get into the right mindset for each scene. How he did this was by blasting the soundtrack over loud speakers while on set, during the shooting.
This scene, is one of my favourite scenes in all of cinema, what it reveals is something so deep, horrific yet so beautiful about the dark side of human nature. The way in which this sequence is put together by shot selection and by voiceover is masterful and yet what pulls it together is Hans's score.
