A large part of the “movie experience” lies in the background score. However some movie scores transcend the movie itself! Here are 5 themes from movie scores which I think are the greatest( These are with one exception all relatively modern scores, without vocals. For those with vocals, part II coming soon!):
1) Schindler’s List-The Main Theme(John Williams)
Schindlers list is among the most moving pieces of art ever committed to the big screen. The main theme of this film is simply heart wrenching. It starts with the violin, playing a melancholy singing tune, the orchestra providing accompaniment. Only one description comes to mind on hearing this piece: Painfully, Hauntingly beautiful. Every time the music steps up a gear, and offers a glimmer of hope that it will come to a happy conclusion, that hope is crushed, as the tune ends in despair. (Note the absolutely sublime performance of the music by the great violinist Itzhak Perlman)
2)Lara’s Theme-Dr.Zhivago(Maurice Jarre)
Symphonic, and deeply moving the theme from Dr.Zhivago is among the most recognisable in all movies. I feel that it represents the pinnacle of Maurice Jarre’s remarkable career as a composer (he gave scores for Lawrence of Arabia and A Passage to India among others). It has a distinctly Russian feel about it-The novel and film are both set in Russia, during the early to mid 20th century, featuring the Russian instrument- the Balaliaka
3)Darth Vader’s Theme-Star Wars-The Empire Strikes back(John Williams)
Of all of John Williams music scores, this iconic 3 minute long march showcases why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of our age. No other movie character inspires the kind of sheer terror that Vader does (with the possible exception of Hannibal Lecter), and Williams has certainly provided him with a sinister and terrifying leitmotiff (or theme song!) to go with it. I would not be very wrong in saying that the Imperial march is possibly THE most instantly recognised piece of film score in all Hollywood movies. What makes it even more special is that it has since it’s composition become associated with a huge variety of other events, for example, it was played for Roger Federer after his win in the 2007 US Open.
5) The Godfather waltz –The Godfather Part 1(Nino Rota)
The Godfather is the movie with the best score in my opinion. Composed by the extraordinary Italian musicain Nino Rota( who was apparently a child prodigy of such high order that he had already written an oratorio- a large musical composition for the orchestra choir and soloists by the time he was 11), it is possibly the most nuanced and detailed score on this list. The main theme and waltz both have a Sicilian character both of which relate strongly to the film. The lingering waltz especially provides a glimpse into the darkness that is to follow in the film.In fact it is my opinion that the background score for godfather not only good enough to be heard as a stand-alone suite, but also binds the film beautifully together.
6)The Warsaw Concerto-Dangerous Moonlight(Richard Adinsell)
I come to the last, oldest and perhaps least know entry on the list, the Warsaw concerto offers a link to the last great composer of the Romantic era-Sergei Rachmaninoff. Apparently they wanted Rachmaninoff to compose the score, but couldn’t afford his fees. Hence Adinsell stepped in and produced a score which was so much like Rachmaninoff, that one could easily forget that it had come form anyone other than the great man himself. The “Concerto” begins with the piano pounding away relentlessly. The orchestra joins in, and produces music of awe inspiring power, which fades into a very nostalgic theme. Soon the sense of nostalgia is lost, and the raw power returns, as the piece closes with the piano hammering out the final chords.
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