(Deputy Riley, do you know when Snowpiercer will be released? It has reviews at IMBD, but I'm beginning to think it may go directly to DVD if it isn't released soon.)
Last I heard the U.S. theatrical release date was 6.27.2014. This could change, but I hope it does not! The brilliant film desperately needs to become available for people's enjoyment.
Last I heard the U.S. theatrical release date was 6.27.2014. This could change, but I hope it does not! The brilliant film desperately needs to become available for people's enjoyment.
It's apparently getting only a (very?) limited theatrical release. Harvey Scissorhands wanted the film cut, Bong refused, and the compromise was that it would retain its integrity but get nothing even approaching a wide release.
It seems there was some interesting instrument invention by Beltrami and Sanders going on for this score. From an interview in the latest FSMO:
MB: Right, yeah. And The Homesman was a really interesting project to do. We created a lot of instruments for that, including a wind piano that we put up on a hill with piano strings extending 175 feet up the hill so they resonated at these water tanks up at the top. We actually recorded the orchestra outside so that there were no warm, resonant surfaces for the sound to bounce off of. That was a much more unique film score, in that respect—just the way we approached it.
...
A lot went into it. Buck [Sanders], who you know works with me at the studio, he actually invented this harmonic guitar that he had built so that it only plays harmonics. We used a bunch of Aeolian harps as well and the water tank piano was almost like an art installation piece. It was really incredible. When the wind would pick up, the strings would resonate and you could hear the thing from a mile away.
I really really want to hear what the water tank piano sounds like!
It...is...awesome.
Lonely, haunting, delicate.
I was actually fortunate enough to see it! I was up at Marco's studio and they showed me the Aeolian piano, it really was something. The strings that led from the piano to the water tanks sounded awesome when reverberating as well as bowed, or used as percussion when beaten by the bow. The sound that emanated from the water tanks when the piano was played was ethereal and very special, and of course the resulting piano sound was something wholly unique and amazing.
Deputy, do you happen to know whether there will be passages in the OST where the water tank piano is foregrounded and showcased? Based on what you just said I hope it won't just be an interesting element blended into the orchestra. I like to really ogle these kinds of things (for ex. the very exposed writing for strange percussion in George Crumb's music).
As far as I know the "orchestra" was very minimal. String quartet was recorded at the cliff near Pianella, and that's pretty much it. The rest of the score might consist entirely of various prepared or newly constructed instruments and sounds.
Jon, the Aeolian piano is all over the score and quite prominent. You'll hear it quite well, and often. It's usually used as a melodic, thematic instrumentation or statement or more of a textural ambience but either way, the composers are very proud of its integration into the score as well as its genesis so there was never really any question that it would take lead quite often!
