World of Soundtracks

In this episode, we look at the music of Persuasion (1995) written by Jeremy Sams and featuring classical composers J.S. Bach and Frederick Chopin. We explore how Sams wrote s mostly transitional music as well as the concert music while much of the accompaniment of the story is classical music. We also look at how it features primarily solo piano, emphasizing Anne Elliott's instrum

In this episode, Ruth talks to composer Sherri Chung about writing for her dream project "Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai" on Max; the joys, the challenges and the nitty gritty aspects in writing for TV; her mentorship and collaborations with Blake Neely, as well as her first soundtrack inspirations and projects to her current new show "Found" on NBC.Award-winning composer Sherri C

In this episode, we look at the music of Mansfield Park (1999) written by Lesley Barber. We explore how the music aids in telling the story of this adaptation in combining elements of the Baroque and classical era with the minimalism in styles reflecting the older Austen story with Rozema's modern view. We also see the juxtaposition of using traditional classical instruments for Au

In this second part of a two-part episode, we look at how Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hopper and Alexandre Desplat pick up the mantle from John Williams to continue the sounds and world of Harry Potter in films 4-8. From folk tunes, to new and unusual instruments, to new places such as the Ministry of Magic, as well as returning ideas from dragons to flying to magic in Hogwarts. Each c

In this first part of a two-part episode, we look at the variety of ways that John Williams creates the musical world of Harry Potter. From school songs to Quidditch, from dragons to goblins, from ghosts to moving staircases, John Williams combines the rich late-romantic orchestral sound with the slightly odd notes resembling 20th century composers such as Stravinsky and Prokofiev

In this episode, we look at the themes for specific characters throughout all 8 Harry Potter films. The first half features Voldermort's motifs as well as the themes for the Death Eaters and Horcruxes connected to Voldemort. The second half focuses on mostly comical or quirky characters who provide a different musical flavor then what is used for Harry and his relationships. This i

In this episode, we look at relationship themes from the Harry Potter series written by composers John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper and Alexander Desplat. We look at musical themes of friendship, allies, mentors, romance, and family, as well as the loss and even death of friends and mentors. We hear the ups and joys as well as the themes of grief and struggle throughout

In this episode, we look at Hedwig's Theme from the Harry Potter series written by John Williams. We look at the origins being written for the trailer as well as how it is adapted over the course of all 8 films both by John Williams and the other three composers, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper and Alexandre Desplat. Along these lines, we see how this theme tells the story of Harry,

In this episode, we look at the soundtrack of the 2020 movie of Jane Austen's Emma written by Isobel Waller-Bridge and David Schweitzer. We look at how each of the main characters are given both a theme and instrument and how these themes interweave with each other. We also explore the choreography of the music to match the comedy shown, as well as how the folk and classical music

In this episode, we look at the soundtrack of the 2009 mini-series of Jane Austen's Emma, written by Samuel Sim. We look at how the main theme tells Emma's journey and how it changes for her love story with Mr. Knightley. We compare the use of the cello for Mr. Knightley and Mr. Elton, look at how the clarinet is used for Emma just as it was in the 1996 movie, and the variety of th