Mar 23, 2010 09:23 AM
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(Updated Mar 23, 2010 09:25 AM)
Have you ever come across the back ground score of a movie becoming the soul of the movie? The soul stirring music that captures the entire theme of the movie and give life to the imperative sequence of the movie; and without this the entire essence of the movie will get eroded? Impact of some of the theme scores are so much mind numbing that it re incarnated in various forms across the globe. The very purpose to mouth pad this as a product list was to invite your attention to some brilliant and inscrutable scores that everyone should listen in this life time. Also, you may share those theme scores that turned out to be your best companion over a period of time.
Movie: Chariots of Fire
Composer: Vangelis
Youtube Link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=79qe--i_1w8
At times, (especially after listening to Beethoven or Salieri) I wonder, this is a syrupy synthesized score. So simple, soothing, free flowing like a gentle breeze which peps up your mood. The movie was a phenomenal success along with almost all the scores but the theme score might look like self effacing but again on repeated hearing, it will become addictive.
Vangelis elevated electronic music (read as Synthesizer during those days) to a new level and no wonder this was the first synthesizer score to win Oscar Award (1981). The drum, strings and synthesizer snuggled the melodies and harmonies which is sufficient to elevate your spirit.
The debate among Academy Award deciding committee to decide the winner (the other contender was John Williams, with his mind blowing score in Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Arc which eventually won Grammy Award. Remember, the song “Raat Baaki, Baat Baaki, Hona hai jo is indebted to this score) was quite famous those days. Those were the days when Hollywood movies were blessed with class touch of music.
You may listen to this score every day morning or when you are about to do an aerobic exercise. After all, it defines the spirit of human saga. It will be your companion in exploring new high.
Movie: Doctor Zhivago
Composer: Maurice Jarre
Youtube Link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=DqRdttn219k
Who can forget Maurice Jarre, the man behind those magnificent scores in Ghost, Dead Poets Society, Lawrence of Arabia and many more!
Those who read the novel by Boris Pasternak will get awestruck with the metaphorical representation of dedication to mother land, Czar Dynasty and Russian Revolution through love triangle. No doubt, the classic movie should have class score of its own and there we got a master genius!
Jarre recorded score in record time of around one and a half month’s time and Laras’ theme defines the movie. At a later stage, lyrics was added to the score (Somewhere my love) but again, I will go with the instrumental score. When heart aches, the instruments shall not be projected with high profile and it defines is space like searching for the most poignant tone and Lara’s theme is a perfect example. You will also get to listen to balalaika in this score which is a different experience altogether.
It encompasses the wide canvass full of myriad events – tragic outcome of war, lost love, passion, complex relations; and here we have the simplest form of music to depict everything. No wonder, even this score got academy award in 1965.
If you want to tame your thoughts and want to be more sensitive, do listen to this and get lost in this music.
Movie: Love Story
Composer: Francis Lai
Youtube Link : https://youtube.com/watch?v=wjiaBLn-aOk
Erich Segal, who authored Love Story bid adieu before a few days. Might be one story that left entire planet in tears! Same with the movie and now, it necessitates having an equally poignant theme score.
Also, remember the most famous dialogue from the movie “What can you say about a twenty-five year old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. The Beatles. And me” In short, music is the soul of the movie without being the central theme. Also, it should be noted that the movie employed the famous concertos of Bach, Mozart etc. Still, the very mention of the movie brings in the memory of that excruciatingly poignant score by Francis Lai.
The score is all about the most intricate feeling of love which is being expressed in the simplest notes. If you happen to weep, let it be! It is not just a tear jerking music but something that melts you and help you to rediscover a throbbing heart inside you. Listen it any time you wish, you will remember your loved ones!
Movie: The Pink Panther
Composer: Henry Mancini
Youtube Link : https://youtube.com/watch?v=i8l1_6QbuVo
Here we have the ultimate teaser! Something that defines the antics of clumsy, dim witted Clouseau. It sounds like a mysterious investigative one but immediately this turns out to be teaser. You have all the cartoon characters fluttering amount, instrumentation going haywire but again each and every slips are wonderfully orchestrated to represent the characters and story.
Henry Mancini is a master in orchestration. In fact, he gave life to many beautiful compositions (no wonder, he is even given the credit of Love Story theme where as his role was that of the one who orchestrated the score). No wonder, you will be able to experience the craft of the genius in this wonderful score.
Listen it with your kids and you will get to hear them giggling.
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