Music from Film and Television
Thursday Vibe List #11
I went to a concert with my mother before October ended. (My sister was part of it, so we watched the concert.) The concert was titled, Lights, Camera, Encore! Music from the Stage and Screen.
For me, sound and music make a scene from a movie or television suspenseful, scary, sad, and happy. You feel the character's anger when all you can see on screen is the main character breaking things and yelling, and a piece of powerful music plays in the background. For me, that’s what makes a scene powerful through emotions and music.
Returning to the concert, the orchestra and singers played music from Titanic, James Bond films, West Side Story, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Final Fantasy, etc.
It got me thinking of my favorite soundtracks from film, stage, and music and that’s what today’s vibe list is all about.
Game of Thrones Main Title
Ramin Djawadi
As much as I love the Star Wars and Harry Potter theme songs, the main title theme of Game of Thrones is my number one favorite fantasy film and television theme song. When that string section starts playing, I just lose it. I love that the lead instrument of the piece was a cello. The theme evokes a sense of power, just like the show's characters who want to have all that power and be on the Iron Throne. The desire to have all that power means a character will do everything and anything to achieve that. Djawadi explains,
“The idea behind that was always that sense of misgiving ... nobody’s safe – that’s what I tried to establish there ... Have a listen and you’ll see, that one note changes everything.”
You can read more about Ramin Djawadi here.
Succession Theme Song
Nicholas Britell
Another banger of a theme song from an HBO show! This theme song sets the mood and vibe of the show. You can feel the shifting of power dynamics of the rich and powerful through those piano notes and feel the tension as well.
The music in the show is amazing too, as it meshes classical music and hip-hop. It works and still fits into the mood and tone of the show.
You can read more about Nicholas Britell here or watch him explain on Vanity Fair how he created the theme song.
“Bene Gesserit” from Dune (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 2021)
Hans Zimmer
I love Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I love Hans Zimmer, too. He’s also one of my favorite composers. Listen, ever since watching Dune, that movie has had a chokehold on me, and the soundtrack. Oh my god. It's amazing.
One of my favorites from the first movie's soundtrack is “Bene Gesserit.” The track adds to the allure and mystery of the exclusive sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit. Hans Zimmer's composition fits perfectly with Dennis Villeneuve’s interpretation of the Bene Gesserit.
Bene Gesserit’s arrival in Caladan scene.
“Your Hands Are Cold” from Pride and Prejudice OST
Dario Marianelli
This should be a no-brainer. One of the reasons this is my favorite is because of the soundtrack. Dario Marianelli did an amazing job with the soundtrack as it sets the tone and emotion of the movie. Marianelli perfectly says it in an interview:
“A few pieces had to be written prior to the shoot, for scenes in which the actors are playing the piano: those pieces already contained the seeds of what I developed later on into the score, when I abandoned historical correctness for a more intimate and emotional treatment of the story.” - From this interview via soundtrack.net
One of my favorites from the soundtrack is “Your Hands Are Cold”, played in that scene where we see Elizabeth walking and encountering Darcy. The scene where he professes his love for Elizabeth, again and apologizes for his aunt’s actions. You know that scene where Darcy says, “You have bewitched me body and soul.” I love how this one was the track playing in the background. The song builds up as the sun is about to rise and Elizabeth accepts Darcy’s proposal. It was such a chef’s kiss moment.
This was the scene I was talking about.
“Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission OST
Ennio Morricone
What’s a soundtrack list without the legend, Ennio Morricone?
This soundtrack was my sister and I’s introduction to Ennio Morricone. I love this soundtrack despite not watching the film. I will watch it when I’m ready. This was my late father’s favorite movie and soundtrack. He would always play the entire album every Sunday morning. When Gabriel’s Oboe comes on, he quiets himself as if he is meditating but he’s just taking it all in. It was like a prayer for him.
After my dad’s passing, I don’t think I could listen to this track the same way. So, it will probably take some time for me to watch this movie.
“Tuyo”, Narcos Main Theme
Rodrigo Amarante
This theme song, oh my god! I cannot put into words how beautiful it is. It is so perfect and incredibly addicting (which is interesting since the show was set during the 80s cocaine trade).
Maybe that’s why it’s so addicting.
I would rather you read how Rodrigo Amarante became involved with writing the theme song, the story behind it, and his writing process. You can read it here.
This is my top six favorite music from film and television. It was hard for me to choose which I would include in the list. I wanted a top-five but went with six instead. Maybe I’ll do a part two — we’ll see.
Saturday Treat will become Tuesday Treat starting next week. Sweet Bonus will be introduced very soon ;)