Dear members of the community of the FSM board, this is my first message, let me introduce myself briefly: my name is Conrado Xalabarder, author of some film music books, teacher of film music at the University in Barcelona, member of IFMCA and creator and webmaster of www.mundobso.com, the largest site of film music reviews in the world, a Spanish site with more than 33,500 entries where we -me and my team- try to highlight the importance of the music and the composer as part of the dramaturgy and narrative in films.
Among other things we make videos explaining exactly that, and recently we are translating (dubbing) them into English.
I want to share with you one I made about the amazing contribution of Jonny Greenwood in The Power of the Dog, where everything matches so well, so profoundly, so intelligently and intentionally that makes it unbelievable that it is underrated by many film music fans.
Dear members of the community of the FSM board, this is my first message, let me introduce myself briefly: my name is Conrado Xalabarder, author of some film music books, teacher of film music at the University in Barcelona, member of IFMCA and creator and webmaster of www.mundobso.com, the largest site of film music reviews in the world, a Spanish site with more than 33,500 entries where we -me and my team- try to highlight the importance of the music and the composer as part of the dramaturgy and narrative in films.
Among other things we make videos explaining exactly that, and recently we are translating (dubbing) them into English.
I want to share with you one I made about the amazing contribution of Jonny Greenwood in The Power of the Dog, where everything matches so well, so profoundly, so intelligently and intentionally that makes it unbelievable that it is underrated by many film music fans.
Well, it seems I'll be the only one defending this score! (which I do INSIDE the film, I have no interest outside it)
A "milestone" not in the sense of being at the top of the film music history (Rózsas, Morricones, Goldsmiths...) but in the sense that here something has been made that never before was made, it is unique: a character that destroys a theme, a sad pianola to destroy more a character, a wolf/dog howl that destroys everything that puts in danger the woman the owner of that howl loves (more that 20 howls in the crime sequence, MORE THAT 20!!!)... and it fits, nothing is out of place.
This is a film with very dark, toxic characters where the only healthy one is the man that has no music for himself: the husband. I can't see here the Bernstein, Santaolalla, etc style... this is a music for destruction.
I love this film, and I love the dramaturgy and the narrative the music adds. I can't and I will not pretend to convince anyone, I don't think we will see in films a formula like this one, and it works so perfectly to me.
With the most respect for everyone that has different taste, I just share my own thoughts and views!!
I assume I am in the most minority side with this score, but I am not being provocative. Not yet!
It's a pretty good score (as were all of Greenwood's last year), but I wouldn't call it a milestone. Clever way to draw attention to your own website with that headline, though, Conrado, and welcome!
I suppose for me, I often have a problem connecting to the emotionally detached, "dry" approach that Greenwood employs wherein everything that even hints at a more melodic or engrossing soundscape is always undermined by some effect. In some ways, I gain more from a composer like Mica Levi who is so totally out there, as opposed to Greenwood who lies somewhere in the middle. Levi is more uncompromising somehow. But by all means, Greenwood is always interesting to follow.
I have not seen THE POWER OF THE DOG either, but I like Jonny Greenwood's music for SPENCER very much (on album, I have not seen that film either). So I'm certainly open minded about it. I'll catch up with these movies eventually.
I don't want to discourage new additions to these boards, but we're not supposed to post personal promotions here on these boards.
If you like "Power of the Dog", Johnny Greenwood had similar scores with THERE WILL BE BLOOD and arguably PHANTOM THREAD. There are some other scores of interest:
Recent: THE FOUNTAIN, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES, UNDER THE SKIN, SICARIO, PRISONERS
Older: THX1138, ANDROMEDA STRAIN, IMAGES, WOMAN IN THE DUNES, ALTERED STATES, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ
There are also some lovely threads here addressing these topics:
