I echo this. I hope the score is more about the man than the time and place.
I disagree. Americana as a musical style was developed in the twentieth century by Copland and thus would be out of place, historically speaking, during Lincoln's time. Not even Edward MacDowell or Charles Ives were around yet, two composers most historians consider as the beginniners of worthy american academic composition. If Williams does indeed strive for historical accuracy, he will probably turn to european folk tunes that were appropriated by american culture and were very popular in their day: "The Jaunting old car" (irish folk tune that became the confederate anthem "The Bonnie Blue Flag"), "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and the like. In the end, whatever Williams decides to do will be the single most important film music event of the year. I can't wait!
Well, when you consider Billy the Kid and Rodeo are two prime examples of 'Americana' and set in the old west, I think using similar music for this would hardly be anachronistic.
The fact it was reported that he met with a musicologist suggests that he may be striving for period authenticity with at least part of the movie. It would very difficult to be completely authentic sounding though even if he wanted to just because the demands of the movie often are in conflict. Sort of like with War Horse, Williams emphasized something more emotional and straightforward with many crucial scenes as opposed to the English flavored music we get in other scenes. Same with Amistad and many others where there are connections to Americana but nothing close to complete period authenticity.
But I do think that Speilberg had had a tendency for stuffy character pontificating with Amistad and parts of Saving Private Ryan where Williams has had to write musical Americana platitudes that I can easily imagine happening with Lincoln as well. But hopefully Speilberg will do something fresh with this because that usually determines more or less how fresh the musical score will sound. For me it isn't so much that the score won't be Americana because I assume there will be a derivitive aspect where the music will connect with American associations. It is more just a hope that the film transcends easy cliches, both in movie and score.
Well, when you consider Billy the Kid and Rodeo are two prime examples of 'Americana' and set in the old west, I think using similar music for this would hardly be anachronistic.
It would be anachronistic, just like Billy the Kid and Rodeo are, musically speaking. They were written using twentieth century techniques to evoke a past time. I am not saying anachronism should be avoided; I think it is inevitable not only in film music but in any music that tries to convey past times. I simply hope Williams does not fall too much on americana clichés and actually mixes his contemporary idiom with more authentic period music. Even Max Steiner managed to include some popular civil war tunes in Gone with the Wind in his otherwise ultra-romantic approach.
I echo this. I hope the score is more about the man than the time and place.
I disagree. Americana as a musical style was developed in the twentieth century by Copland and thus would be out of place, historically speaking, during Lincoln's time. Not even Edward MacDowell or Charles Ives were around yet, two composers most historians consider as the beginniners of worthy american academic composition. If Williams does indeed strive for historical accuracy, he will probably turn to european folk tunes that were appropriated by american culture and were very popular in their day: "The Jaunting old car" (irish folk tune that became the confederate anthem "The Bonnie Blue Flag"), "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and the like. In the end, whatever Williams decides to do will be the single most important film music event of the year. I can't wait!
Alex
Why do you disagree? I don't care what the style is as long as it focuses more on the character of the man than the time period. Think of how Goldsmith musically captured the soul of Patton and that's where I'm going.
Maybe not, but it will be a wonderful exploration of the Williams Americana sound, I'm sure of it! Can't wait.
I think this will be a serious if not obligatory Oscar nominee and the type of Williams music that is so prominently Americana will probably get correctly featured in the score, notwithstanding Copland s' Fanfare for the Common Man. But nothing gets as Williams-esque than this project. I have high hopes. Thematic structure should be evocative of the larger than life feeling for this iconic president. I expect the score to have some musical reverence and respect for the subject as such. By the way with JFK, NIXON and John Adams Id say Lincoln would be be another presidential feather on Williams hat
Actually, the US President in Amistad was John Quincy Adams the son of John Adams and Abigail Adams.
. . . notwithstanding Copland s' Fanfare for the Common Man . . .
. . . Well, when you consider Billy the Kid and Rodeo are two prime examples of 'Americana' and set in the old west, I think using similar music for this would hardly be anachronistic . . .
Get a look at the conductor!
(--Okay, you never get a good close shot of him, but it's JW.)
I don't know why the stupid slobs in the audience couldn't quiet down, and it is an abbreviated version of the piece, but it was fun to be able to find this old clip, one of several versions you can hear on YouTube of Copland's "Lincoln Portrait."
That solo trumpet coming back at the end with the main melody reminds me of Williams in "Americana" mode. (Though the melody itself reminds me of Friedhofer's "Best Years of Our Lives" a little.) Could this piece have been an influence over the years? The event in the clip is the Statue of Liberty's 100th Anniversary, for which Williams composed his "Liberty Fanfare."
I'm more excited for Thursday's trailer debut to hear the Williams music in it than I am for the actual movie. I like the little bit of Williams score heard in this teaser
