Week 9

Question 1

was the music in jaws consistent throughout?

Answer 1

yes

Question 2

what was different from the scene with the fake shark from jaws?

Answer 2

music isnt there, source music is there instead. this is because the shark is NOT real. it’s a bunch of kids

Question 3

what is a fugue?

Answer 3

classical structure, simplest version is a “round”

Question 4

which movie is a fugue used in?

Answer 4

Jaws, with Williams

Question 5

how is the jaws theme used in the harpoon scene?

Answer 5

jaws theme is present all the way until the harpoon hits the shark. it builds until it pulls out to hear the harpoon noise

Question 6

how is the music during hte harpoon theme? what composer is it comparable to?

Answer 6

atonal, dissonant, identical to what korngold would have written

Question 7

T/F - it was normal for korngold’s style to be used around the times Jaws was released

Answer 7

FALSE. korngold’s style was all but dead, everyone loved atonal and dissonant stuff. Williams brought korngold back

Question 8

T/F - jaws is purely based off korngold’s style

Answer 8

false. atonal at many times.

Question 9

what is style of John Williams?

Answer 9

19th centry orchestral tradition
aware of newer modernist/atonal techniques
little pop/jazz influence - no popular songs
basic orchestra, adds what is necessary
use of themes - developed throughout film

Question 10

how did John Williams become the best known film composer of all time?

Answer 10

Star Wars (1977)

Question 11

what did john williams do with the Boston Pops Orchestra?

Answer 11

his film work is reworked into orchestral works
self contained concert pieces
high school bands
music takes on life outside the film world

Question 12

where was James Horner born? where did he grow up?

Answer 12

American born, grew up in England where he attended Royal College of Music

Question 13

what were Horner’s thoughts on film composing?

Answer 13

it was not a seirous artistic outlet

Question 14

when did Horner begin film composing?

Answer 14

while at UCLA in 1978 for the American Film Institute

Question 15

what was the first film Horner composed?

Answer 15

The Lady in Red (1979)

Question 16

What was Horner’s breakthrough score?

Answer 16

Start Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Question 17

what films was James Horner known for?

Answer 17

The Lady in Red (1979), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Aliens (1986), Field of Dreams (1989), Braveheart (1995), Apollo 13 (1996), Titanic (1997)

Question 18

what film did Horner win awards for?

Answer 18

Titanic (1997)

also specifically for Titanic - best original song

Question 19

what are the characteristics of James Horner?

Answer 19

• strong melodic composer, often works w conventional orchestra
• clear, easily recognisable, instantly memorable
• capable of incorporation electronic and avant garde sounds in his work
• very strong at sycnrhonizing music to visual elements such as scene and camera changes –> this is NOT mickey mousing
• electronics = synthesizers

Question 20

what does synchronizing music to visual elements such as scene and camera changes do?

Answer 20

it adds a pull and smoothness to the scene

Question 21

T/F Horner had a strong background in pop music, making him adept in writing pop styles

Answer 21

he did NOT have a strong background in pop music, but he was adept in writing pop styles
e.g my heart will go on with celine dion

Question 22

T/F Horner was great at listening to a composer, and adapting their style

Answer 22

true ye, he was

Question 23

what instrument carried the theme for Glory? why?

Answer 23

vocal - Harlem children’s choir

Question 24

who composed Glory (1989)

Answer 24

James Horner

Question 25

what instruments were used in the theme for Glory?

Answer 25

snare drum, trumpet, violin, brass instruments, children’s choir

Question 26

what is the plot of Glory (1989)?

Answer 26

Film is set in US during civil war

Question 27

was the composition for Glory (1989) tonal or atonal?

Answer 27

tonal as fuck

Question 28

who composed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Answer 28

james horner

Question 29

what is syndication?

Answer 29

when films/shows have about a minute or so cut out of it, so that they can run ads in the middle & charge audience half price

Question 30

what show did not go through syndication?

Answer 30

Star Trek

Question 31

what comsposer’s style was adapted for Star Trek II?

Answer 31

Korngold, bih

Question 32

was the music for Star Trek II tonal or atonal?

Answer 32

tonal

Question 33

idk what question to ask here

Answer 33

theme for Kirk and Starship enterprise are the same theme

Question 34

describe the Kirk-enterprise theme

Answer 34

wonder, anticipation, follows scene, comedy in scene

he decided to end cue in a weird place so it doesn’t have as strong of an impact

Question 35

in the Kirk-enterprise theme, why does Horner end the scene in a weird area?

Answer 35

kirk is a man who has been left behind. people are moving on, but kirk is no longer the guy from 15 years ago with the alien babes. he’s an old dude having a midlife crisis

Question 36

describe the theme for Khan

Answer 36

reflecting of khan’s rage
low tones, threatening to show subdued rage
semitones
holding note (outburst) = characterising crazy but brilliant guy

Question 37

how do we use kirk’s theme in Star Trek II

Answer 37

kirk’s theme is uncertain, unfinished, overall a mess

when kirk is overwhelmed, it shifts to a minor key

Question 38

when is Khan’s theme used?

Answer 38

around khan, at the ship attack

Question 39

how does the ship attack play out, musically?

Answer 39

uncertainty in kirk’s theme, a lot of back and forth between kirk and khan as you look at the different ships
atonal, modernist
kirk’s theme drops out for a lot of the battle until he’s required to surrender

Question 40

what imagery was used in the battle/attack scene in star trek?

Answer 40

US navy imagery

Question 41

what happens visually when horner brings in kirk’s theme again?

Answer 41

when kirk puts his glasses on, the music comes back. because kirk accepts that he’s aged
kirk’s music completely undermines how menacing khan is supposed to be
khan’s theme fades as khan withdraws