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I suppose the original Rose theme (not the Doomsday theme of course which is beyond amazing, I couldn't believe how good when I watched it on broadcast) is a little too simple compared the the later three, but for me Martha's wins because it is at times quite sassy and warm. The version Martha Triumphant is especially good, at 1.05 it's at it's sassiest where it swells and really lets rip, and pure Hollywood.
Funny thing is Donna's could be even sassier given the nature of the character but sometimes it feels more of a signature repeated than a fully fledged theme, and is more comical than the others. There was a brassy version in an episode but doesn't appear on the cds.
What about the action cues? All the Strange Creatures is still probably the best. It's themes like this I miss now, not to mention This is Gallifrey, Martha's Quest (containing more than one cracking theme), The Doctor Forever, A Dark and Dangerous Dalek Night, the list goes on. It's been ages since we had this kind of stuff. Got to be partly RTD's doing. I'm sure he had a more personal interest in the music than Moff does, and boy, does it show.
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I started listening to the Series 3 cd while posting my last piece, and I do agree it's a great place to start. It's got the best range of music, and two cracking musical numbers to boot! It's almost a greatest hits compilation and it's all from the same season! Smack in the middle of Doctor Who's best period for music without a doubt.
You also get an almost complete score from Human Nature/Family of Blood. Absolutely gorgeous, like the rest of the album, and that for Series 4. Maybe these are the peaks cd-wise?
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I've gotta agree with starting with the Series 3 CD.
I started listening to this one before I had seen all the episodes for season 3 (but after I had finally become sold on the reWhoot), and it is still my favorite. Such a crazy but coherent range of music.
A couple more highlights:
Only Martha Knows and Martha's Choice - my favorites from the Family of Blood sequence, and even though I usually avoid whistling. It is such a fine example of music written to scene with very specific and highly dramatic changes that nevertheless works beautifully as music. I'm chilled by it every time I listen.
The Master Vainglorious - absolutely the best integration of villainous electronics with orchestra I've heard in years. (Not to mention the knock-knock-knock-knock of destiny.)
Boe - along with This is Gallifrey, this piece of music just brings me to the verge of tears every time I listen, certainly because of the connection with the scenes in the show, but also because the music itself is just superb.
So yes, it's because this is my favorite season that Season 3 is my favorite Who-sic, but I learned to love the music before I saw the episodes, so I think it's a great choice for anyone who digs this kind of thing.
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Great picks all! Boe is exquisite and the The Master Vainglorious truly inspired.
I listened the CDs for Series 2-6 before I saw the episodes (I saw Series 1 years ago and the music didn´t catch my ears then; no orchestra I presume). So in my case also the Gold´s music spoke to me first.
The first series was (entirely, I think) synth, save for a real choir for the Daleks, but the series 1 and 2 album re-recorded a series of tracks from the first series with an orchestra. However, I would generally agree, beyond a few choice tracks from the first series, the music was not as memborable or sweeping as it became in later series.
I'd endorse those who suggested the series 3 and series 4 albums, plus the specials as a starting point. I also have to say that the series 5 and later albums aren't filled to the brim with highlights due to their length, but are still well worth hearing. Series 5 is worth it for I am the Doctor alone.
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I got super into Doctor Who last fall (gee, how’d that happen) and then I burned out a bit. And I just can’t watch Smith at the moment. (Most heartbreaking and wonderful regeneration ever.) So since I’ve recently had a hankering for Who, I’ve been watching season 3.
Wow. It is so good. I recall last fall that I was listening to the whole Season 3 disk rather than picking my favorites. I was shocked when I started to think that this might be the best season of music so far. (Shocked because there are big chunks of 4 that I love above all Who.)
Maybe it’s just CD presentation but there is very little “place holder” music in the Tennant (Eccleston) years. With Smith even though I can find tracks to play over and over and over (Mad Man with a Box, I Am the Doctor, and now - thanks to Time of the Doctor - Infinite Potential) there’s a lot that just didn’t grab me.
Also the Tennant music had so much bold swagger to it. The suite for Voyage of the Damned is just Christmas and James Bond and Robin Hood rolled into a wonderful ball.
Is Song for 50 on a CD? And did it ever appear in the show?
(That piano video is adorable.)
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I think it's a simple case that RTD took more interest in what he wanted from his composer. Moff leaves his composer to it. Both valid ways of working. That's how it feels to me. There's no doubt about the Eccleston/Tennant stuff having more swagger. And I also think expanded releases of the first four series would yield more great music. I don't believe it would be like the Smith releases at all.
Girl in the Fireplace is sorely bereft of some wonderful music to name just one episode.
As for when the full orchestra took over from mainly synths, I'm fairly sure (without looking) that the notes for the Series 1/2 release state that the tracks were not only rerecorded for the album, but were used beyond Series 1. That is all but one, and they laugh about not telling which one it is!
Song for 50, sadly for some of us and to some ungrateful types (you know who you are!) fortunately, is not in the show so far, but was composed purely for the last Prom. It was Murray's birthday gift to the series and he can be as indulgent as he likes. I love it personally, however ott it might be. He's being personal for a second and he can do what he jolly well wants!
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Just happen to be listening to The Dream of a Normal Death on Disc 2 (Series 3). Beautiful.
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Has anyone noticed any new themes in series 8 yet?
There was a lovely rendition of Clara's theme in the first episode, but that theme always sounds lovely^
There does seem do be some themes developing, but it's a slow process. A slow burner, rather like Peter Capaldi for some people. There was some lovely stuff in the Robin Hood episode. Just as the script did it's best to nod to as many interpretations of the past, so did Murray up to a point. The overall slap-my-thigh jolly japes adventure was firmly in the Errol Flynn tradition, but other elements were there. The music was mostly Korngold-ish, but during a quiet scene with the Merry Men, there was a harp and flute piece that was so obviously a nod to Clannad's excellent music for the eighties' Robin of Sherwood.
I reckon that by the end of the season the music will have made itself known. And Capaldi will be well liked by most. I think he's great.
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I still haven't noticed anything particularly prominent that's suggesting it'll become the new Doctor theme...maybe they are doing away with that for this Doctor? Of course, its introduction could just be incredibly slow burn. There was something that could potentially, maybe, perhaps, be one in the first episode but otherwise, nothing else to suggest that it was anything more than an incidental theme. They seem to be using bits of I Am the Doctor in trails...
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