Main Theme ('Birth of a Penguin Part II'), 'Birth of a Penguin Part I', 'Batman vs the Circus' and 'The Rise and Fall from Grace' from Batman Returns (Danny Elfman)

Question 1

What is Batman returns? Who directed it?

Answer 1

Batman returns is the sequel to Batman (1989) and was directed by Tim Burton.

Question 2

What is the style of the score?

Answer 2

‣Popular and direct

‣Vivid, grand orchestral effects.

Question 3

Who orchestrated the score?

Answer 3

Steve Bartek, aided by Mark McKenzie

Question 4

What system does Elfman use to create themes for each character?

Answer 4

A leitmotif system.

Question 5

Who first used leitmotifs?

Answer 5

Wagner in his operas.

Question 6

How are the cues notated?

Answer 6

As orchestral short scores.
‣No. of staves ranges from 2-3 up to 9 (in Batman vs the circus)
‣Instrumental and vocal parts indicated as required.

Question 7

What is the instrumentation of the score?

Answer 7

‣Full symphony orchestra
‣Organ
‣Children's choir
‣Synthesiser
‣Celeste
‣Piano
‣Accordion
‣Large percussion section xylophone, marimba, temple blocks, sleighbells, tam-tam and cymbals.

Question 8

What is the instrumentation of the score?

Answer 8

‣Full symphony orchestra
‣Organ
‣Children's choir
‣Synthesiser
‣Celeste
‣Piano
‣Accordion
‣Large percussion section xylophone, marimba, temple blocks, sleighbells, tam-tam and cymbals.

Question 9

What colouristic effects are employed?

Answer 9

Strings ‣Tremolandi, pizzicato, glissandi
Woodwinds ‣flutter-tongue (flute), wide vibrato (oboe)
Brass ‣ use of mutes, horn glissando
Choir ‣ vocalisation

Question 10

What are the textures generally?

Answer 10

Homophonic

Question 11

State two textures found in Birth of a Penguin Part I

Answer 11

‣Chordal (bar 14)

‣Octaves (bars 22-25)

Question 12

State three textures found in BOAP II.

Answer 12

‣MDH - bar 27 onwards (Batman motif)
‣Layered ostinati (opening)
‣Pedal, bars 85-92

Question 13

State two textures found in RAFFG

Answer 13

‣High pitch string clusters (bars 7-8)

‣Waltz rhythm with sustained octaves in bass (bars 20-25)

Question 14

Describe the use of tempo in Batman Returns

Answer 14

‣Tempo indicated by metronome marks
‣Most of the cues are moderate in pace
‣BvtC - Moves from slow to very fast

Question 15

Describe the use of metre in Batman Returns

Answer 15

‣Occasional changes of time signature
For example:
‣BoaP I ‣ Bar 13 ‣ one bar of 3/8
‣R&F ‣ Bars 20-25 ‣ insertion of waltz episode

Question 16

Describe the use of rhythm in Batman Returns

Answer 16

‣Pounding triplets in Batman theme and accompaniment ( BOAP II , bar 25 on)
‣Loose augmentations e.g bar 65 BOAP II
‣Almost constant quavers in ‘BvtC’