Around the world with film music - part 2

We not only move straight north, but also back in time, when gothic art dominated central Europe.  This is was the time of Johann Sebastian Bach and his distinctive minor key progressions on organ and harpsichord, along with those striking operatic choral passages.  This music continues to influence modern art in video games such as Castlevania, and films like the little-known Dr. Who American television film from 1996, heard here in the track Open the Eye by John Debney and John Sponsler.Moving deeper into the cradle of life, we explore the music unfairly described as primitivism.  Drums and tribal chants paint this fascinating canvas to produce something inherently modern.  How to expect any less from Hans Zimmer?  We listen to The Rainmaker from The Power of One.Egyptian music is such an intrinsic part of world culture that it has become practically stereotypical.  It is becoming harder and harder for film composers to suggest the eras of mummies and pharaohs without turning it into pastiche.  But Trevor Jones accomplished quite an achievement with his television score for Cleopatra, heard here in its most ferocious piece: Rome Decree.View the list »
World Music

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We left our journey across the world of film music on the hills of the Promised Land. We now continue westward onto Africa.

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  • Egyptian music is such an intrinsic part of world culture that it has become practically stereotypical.  It is becoming harder and harder for film composers to suggest the eras of mummies and pharaohs without turning it into pastiche.  But Trevor Jones accomplished quite an achievement with his television score for Cleopatra, heard here in its most ferocious piece: Rome Decree.
  • Moving deeper into the cradle of life, we explore the music unfairly described as primitivism.  Drums and tribal chants paint this fascinating canvas to produce something inherently modern.  How to expect any less from Hans Zimmer?  We listen to The Rainmaker from The Power of One.
  • We not only move straight north, but also back in time, when gothic art dominated central Europe.  This is was the time of Johann Sebastian Bach and his distinctive minor key progressions on organ and harpsichord, along with those striking operatic choral passages.  This music continues to influence modern art in video games such as Castlevania, and films like the little-known Dr. Who American television film from 1996, heard here in the track Open the Eye by John Debney and John Sponsler.
  • The popularity of Nino Rota’s groundbreaking score from The Godfather has rendered Italian music just as stereotypical as Egyptian melodies.  It’s therefore very difficult for composers to retain the distinctive Italian flavor without becoming unintentionally tongue-in-cheek.  But Howard Shore did it in his score for The Yards, especially in the track Queensborough Hall.
  • Accordions, accordions, accordions!  And although waltzes are innately Viennese, they take on a French twist when dressed with accordions.  French music is also drenched with sentimentality.  Ironically, our foray into French music is done via a Japanese animation that has nothing to do with France: Ranma ½, scored by Hideharu Mori.  Pay especially close attention to the second half of the piece.
  • The great insular nations of the north combine a number of cultures that share a musical root: that of Celtic music, with its bagpipes and rhythms that can agitate the sleepiest of feet.  With no less irony than our previous clip, the example here actually comes from outside the British isles: Astérix et Obélix contre César by Jean-Jacques Goldman and Roland Romanelli.  This film is set in another nation of Celtic origin: Ancient Gaul.
  • Already very influential and toe-tapping, flamenco music with its castanets takes on an irresistible flair when coupled with the drama and intensity of film music.  The examples abound, but none as outlandish as James Horner’s The Mask of Zorro, heard here in The Ride.
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, Baltimore Film Score Examiner

J-F Bibeau is a native French Canadian transplanted to the Baltimore/DC area. Former IT worker and now full-time freelance artist, he dabbles professionally in many artistic fields: writing, acting, costume design, comedy and improvisation, but his first love remains film music. He has a...

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