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Henry Mancini anniversary
This month (June 2019) it will be 25 years since the passing of composer Henry Mancini. To mark this Henry Mancini anniversary, his biographer John Caps examines his considerable legacy and identifies the 3 key ingredients of his fame and success. More...
God of War by Bear McCreary
Everything about the God of War game score is gorgeous, enthralling choral elements with a wonderful soloist, well-chosen instrumentation, and an exquisite set of melodies. Somehow Bear McCreary's music turns a mythical world into something totally believable. More...
Flowers of the Forest - Folk Song
"Flowers of the Forest" is an old Scottish Folk Song, found in an early 17th Century manuscript. Here we have the original melody which can be played on a variety of instruments. There is also a slightly newer version (often played as a Lament on bagpipes) arranged for Piano Solo, and an arrangement for solo instrument plus optional piano accompaniment. All versions have sheet music parts, midi, mp3 and video:
- Flowers of the Forest (original) - solo instrument
- Flowers of the Forest (Lament) - piano solo
- Flowers of the Forest (Lament) - solo instrument & piano
Saltarello 2 from a Medieval Manuscript
Continuing our exploration of early music notation, here is a lively dance tune called "Saltarello 2" from a Medieval Tuscan collection from the late 14th Century. It is the 2nd of 3 Saltarellos in the collection, and the music clearly shows a characteristic jumping figure which gives the dance its name. Using modern notation we present the Saltarello 2 melody for different instruments, and a simple arrangement of Saltarello 2.
Into the Spider-Verse by Dan. Pemberton
That Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is doing so well at the box-office and animation awards, is at least partly down to the film score by Daniel Pemberton. This brings the DJ turntable into film music like never before - highly recommended. More...
Michel Legrand (1932-2019)
With deepest regret we report the death of Michel Legrand. The breadth of his talent included Jazz Musician (with Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans), Songwriter (The Windmills of Your Mind, What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?) and film composer (Ice Station Zebra, Never Say Never Again). Read our obituary by John Caps.
Best Film Scores of 2018
Sean Wilson looks back over the last 12 months to pick his Top 10 Film Scores of 2018. Established composers and rising stars have been inspired by the breadth of film making talent both on and behind the screen across a wide range of genres, making the final selection particularly difficult. More...
Scraper: First Strike by Winifred Phillips
Scraper: First Strike is the first in a planned series of 5 VR games. The soundtrack by award-winning composer Winifred Phillips captures the game's Cyberpunk feel together with its diverse gameplay from sci-tech atmospheres during RPG exploration to full blown shooter action. More...
Salvo Scores
In his article Salvo Scores subtitled "Apprenticeship of Film Composers" John Caps identifies those film scores which mark a significant transition in the career of film composers, the film title that publicly jump-starts their careers even though they may have been scoring films for some time beforehand. More...
Haydn: Symphony No.88 in G major
Joseph Haydn has 104 numbered symphonies to his name. The Symphony No.88 in G major falls between his "Paris" Symphonies and "London" ones, and one of his better known. Here is the first movement in different formats, full orchestral score and parts, mp3 file or midi file:
- Symphony No.88 (1st movement) - Score & Parts
- Symphony No.88 (1st movement) - MP3 file
- Symphony No.88 (1st movement) - MIDI file
Ocean's 8 by Daniel Pemberton
Following an 11 year gap, the ocean franchise continues with Ocean's 8 featuring an all female gang and a daring heist. Composer Daniel Pemberton provides the good-humoured and engaging music in a jazz lounge style, chillout but with a propulsive energy! More...
Dumbo by Danny Elfman
For Tim Burton's reimaging of Disney classic Dumbo, the soundtrack has predictably remained true to the original songs, but composer Danny Elfman's film score is thoroughly well crafted giving many musical moments to enjoy. More...
The Music of Max Richter
John Caps takes a look at the music of Max Richter and finds some commonalities among his music for different media, which includes film scores, music for stage and ballet, and a number of unusual concert pieces. More...
Mary Poppins Returns by Marc Shaiman
Mary Poppins Returns ticks all the right boxes in this vibrant sequel to the 1964 film. Composer Marc Shaiman delivers on the Score and Songs, with lyrics co-written by Scott Wittman. His musical extravaganza delivers all the fun and magic with a large Spoonful of Sugar. More...
Franz Schubert's Ständchen (Serenade)
Franz Schubert composed more than 600 songs in total, though "Ständchen" (or Serenade) was published after his death as part of a collection called "Swan Song" by the publisher. We include the original song and various instrumental arrangements:
- Ständchen - for Voice & Piano
- Ständchen - for Flute (or other) & Piano
- Ständchen - for Solo Guitar (arr. Mertz)
- Ständchen - for Solo Piano
Mary Queen of Scots by Max Richter
Mary Queen of Scots tells the story of the power struggle between the Scottish Queen and her cousin, England's Queen Elizabeth I. The film score by Max Richter speaks not only of regal majesty but also of love and violence set amidst troubling times. More...
Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony (No.6)
Beethoven's 6th Symphony in F is called the Pastoral since it's all about the countryside. The 1st movement sets the scene musically by describing the peace and tranquility after arriving in the countryside. Here is the first movement in different formats, orchestral score and sheet music parts, mp3 file and midi file:
- Symphony No.6 (1st movement) - Score & Parts
- Symphony No.6 (1st movement) - MP3 file
- Symphony No.6 (1st movement) - MIDI file
Ralph Breaks the Internet by H. Jackman
Ralph Breaks the Internet continues the adventures of Ralph and Vanellope, as they leap from their arcade world into the Internet. Returning composer Henry Jackman delivers a great score, blending his solid orchestral foundation with game music electronica and some further music treats! More...
Varèse Sarabande 40th Anniversary
Film Music Record Label Varèse Sarabande have celebrated their 40th Anniversary with two Concerts in Scotland, with Scotland's National Orchestra the RSNO and RSNO Chorus conducted by Diego Navarro. The event featured many guests, Composers and Soloists, and was presented by the Label's own Robert Townson. More...
Humans Series 2 & 3 by Sarah Warne
Taking over from "Cristo" who scored Series 1 and created the theme music, composer Sarah Warne has continued to provide incidental music for the TV drama Humans Series 2 & 3 in the same genre, with electronic music being the perfect way to accompany android "synths" with very human emotions. More...
Philippe Sarde, the Enigma
French composer Philippe Sarde will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award this month at Film Fest Gent. The event has prompted author John Caps to investigate his approach to orchestration in the article Philippe Sarde: the Enigma. More...
