Week 9 Flashcards
honestly idk
was the music in jaws consistent throughout?
yes
what was different from the scene with the fake shark from jaws?
music isnt there, source music is there instead. this is because the shark is NOT real. it’s a bunch of kids
what is a fugue?
classical structure, simplest version is a “round”
which movie is a fugue used in?
Jaws, with Williams
how is the jaws theme used in the harpoon scene?
jaws theme is present all the way until the harpoon hits the shark. it builds until it pulls out to hear the harpoon noise
how is the music during hte harpoon theme? what composer is it comparable to?
atonal, dissonant, identical to what korngold would have written
T/F - it was normal for korngold’s style to be used around the times Jaws was released
FALSE. korngold’s style was all but dead, everyone loved atonal and dissonant stuff. Williams brought korngold back
T/F - jaws is purely based off korngold’s style
false. atonal at many times.
what is style of John Williams?
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
how did John Williams become the best known film composer of all time?
Star Wars (1977)
what did john williams do with the Boston Pops Orchestra?
his film work is reworked into orchestral works
self contained concert pieces
high school bands
music takes on life outside the film world
where was James Horner born? where did he grow up?
American born, grew up in England where he attended Royal College of Music
what were Horner’s thoughts on film composing?
it was not a seirous artistic outlet
when did Horner begin film composing?
while at UCLA in 1978 for the American Film Institute
what was the first film Horner composed?
The Lady in Red (1979)
What was Horner’s breakthrough score?
Start Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
what films was James Horner known for?
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)
what film did Horner win awards for?
Titanic (1997)
also specifically for Titanic - best original song
what are the characteristics of James Horner?
- 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
what does synchronizing music to visual elements such as scene and camera changes do?
it adds a pull and smoothness to the scene
T/F Horner had a strong background in pop music, making him adept in writing pop styles
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
T/F Horner was great at listening to a composer, and adapting their style
true ye, he was
what instrument carried the theme for Glory? why?
vocal - Harlem children’s choir
who composed Glory (1989)
James Horner
what instruments were used in the theme for Glory?
snare drum, trumpet, violin, brass instruments, children’s choir
what is the plot of Glory (1989)?
Film is set in US during civil war
was the composition for Glory (1989) tonal or atonal?
tonal as fuck
who composed Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
james horner
what is syndication?
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
what show did not go through syndication?
Star Trek
what comsposer’s style was adapted for Star Trek II?
Korngold, bih
was the music for Star Trek II tonal or atonal?
tonal
idk what question to ask here
theme for Kirk and Starship enterprise are the same theme
describe the Kirk-enterprise theme
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
in the Kirk-enterprise theme, why does Horner end the scene in a weird area?
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
describe the theme for Khan
reflecting of khan’s rage
low tones, threatening to show subdued rage
semitones
holding note (outburst) = characterising crazy but brilliant guy
how do we use kirk’s theme in Star Trek II
kirk’s theme is uncertain, unfinished, overall a mess
when kirk is overwhelmed, it shifts to a minor key
when is Khan’s theme used?
around khan, at the ship attack
how does the ship attack play out, musically?
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
what imagery was used in the battle/attack scene in star trek?
US navy imagery
what happens visually when horner brings in kirk’s theme again?
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
