Film Scores and the Soundtrack of Our Lives

Since the time of the first orchestras in Western Classical music, orchestras and the repertoire has expanded to the large hybrid orchestras we hear today in films. What I mean by hybrid is that orchestras are full of the typical classical formation, with added technology, voices, world instruments, and ambient sounds. In Angels and Demons, the composer used 12 double basses when the usual configuration is 4-6. And after recording the strings with the large bass section, he added virtual orchestras (computer generated instruments) on top and created this huge sound. I happened to be blessed enough to see this in person. Yes, I did meet Hans Zimmer, and he was as intense as his music. (Not scary, but very passionate about his work.) If we played the music from Angels and Demons back in the Baroque period, people would burn us with for the reason of devil worship and witchcraft. The music is so powerful, and today, we are so desensitized to it, that we barely notice that our mood changes with the direction of the music. To us, it is all a part of the movie going experience. 

We use music as the soundtrack to our lives. We turn on the radio and let the music wash over us. Speaking from personal experience, in the morning I will switch on some soothing and happy music to get me ready for the day. If I am feeling anxious, I will choose the same music. If I am driving a long distance and/or am really bored, I will turn on some driving music such as Boston. I believe the majority of people who are driving know what I am talking about. HOWEVER, has anyone tried driving to film scores such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Inception, Mask of Zorro, Lord of the Rings, etc? I highly recommend it- for who does not want to drive around feeling heroic for the rest of the day? Below are some of my most favorite soundtracks and yes, I have driven around while listening to them. I've also turned on an epic soundtrack right out of bed to start my day. It really has a powerful impact, music. For those of you who are adventurous, try out film scores for a little bit and see how it affects your day.

Harry Gregson Williams- Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas Suite

John Powell- How to Train Your Dragon- Test Drive

Thomas Newman- Road to Perdition- Cathedral

Short Ride in a Fast Machine and Modern Technology

Short Ride in a Fast Machine- John Adams

This is one of my favorite pieces of all time. Short Ride in a Fast Machine, although not included in the College Humanities book, is a work done by second generation minimalist composer, John Adams. Minimalism originates from America and is a genre of experimental music. It's name is based off of the steady pulse or drones, continuous harmony, and stasis or gradual transformation. It often reiterates musical phrases or smaller figures. As a second generation minimalist, Adams uses more harmonic progression and tonal changes. This piece stands out to me because it is energizing, upbeat, continuous, and constantly in flux.Unlike first generation minimalist music, this song by Adams is going somewhere, however, the continuing pulse makes it seem as if it will never stop. The name, Short Ride in a Fast Machine, is perfect for the imagery that is music evokes.

This music reminds me of modern technology when I hear it. What I mean by modern technology is technology that has been discovered and invented from the mid 20th century to the present. The continuous pulsing rhythm in the music makes me think of the inside of a computer chip or program. One line leads to another and that line leads to another until it all comes back around full circle. The pulsating rhythm in the music is shared throughout the instrument sections, each taking turns and having solo moments. As the music progress, there are times that the low brass play syncopated rhythms providing imagery that the computer is working harder than usual to process data or something. The modulating and constant chord progressions make me think of different processes the computer goes through to share and evaluate the data or command. This song makes me think of a machine, and I think specifically the computer, but that could even be expanded to electricity and where it travels to or a factory or an automobile. This is a song that should catch your attention and make you imagine many different wondrous things.