World of Soundtracks

In this episode, we look at Thomas Newman's score of "Little Women" from 1994. Nostalgia is the sound of this score, using modes and combining minor in happy moments while using high instrumentation and fun rhythmic energy to give joy in minor. We take apart how the main theme is used for Jo and her writing as well as looking at many beloved melodies and how they are used in this adaptation to con...

In this final episode for How to Train Your Dragon, Ruth focuses on the romantic themes throughout the trilogy written by composer John Powell. From Astrid and Hiccup to Hiccup's parents to Toothless and the Lightfury, each movie has a unique take on romance that often coincides with flying. We look at how the journey progresses from crushes to epic to quiet and vulnerable. We also look at the sim...

In this episode, Ruth talks to Canadian composer Mikel Hurwitz about the inspirations and beginning of his career as well as his newest projects, including the Documentary "Soul of the Nation" found on Apple as well as Hallmark movies and "Elements", a personal project combining orchestra and electronics. In the past year, Mikel Hurwitz has written for and conducted the Hollywood Film Orchestra at...

Anybody who has heard the soundtrack for How To Train Your Dragon will admit that it just a lot of fun to listen to. Part of that lies in the Celtic nature of the music both instrument wise as well as the imitation of the melodies and rhythmic structure. This episode focuses on the sounds and music of Berk that helps to set the world as a Viking clan - both the fun and adventurous side as well as...

In this episode, we follow Hiccup's journey from an awkward inventor and teenager to the Chief leading Berk over the course of the trilogy, How To Train Your Dragon. We look at four different themes over the course of the three movies as Hiccup continues to dream big while growing in his relationships with his parents and Toothless. He takes big risks, seeks new places, and learns how to lead the...

In this episode, Ruth talks to Anglo-Swiss composer Dominik Scherrer about many topics including inspirations for his career to writing for period dramas to specifics in writing for the BBC/PBS series "Miss Austen." Whether it is the choice of instruments to writing in 7/8 to writing for the emotional truth of the work, there were a lot of topics to cover. We also covered a little regarding the al...

In this episode, Ruth talks to Belgium composer Hannes de Maeyer about the inspirations for writing music, particularly through collaboration. Whether it is his work with directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah for a decade, working with co-composer Ruben De Gheselle on the UK drama Patience, or different musicians like the Budapest Art Orchestra or singers Berre and Oum, Hannes has had the privi...

In this episode, we look at the iconic Friendship themes between Hiccup and the dragon Toothless throughout the trilogy of films: How To Train Your Dragon by composer John Powell. From their first encounter to becoming best friends, the themes evolve and change as the characters evolve and change. Join host Ruth Mudge as she takes you chronologically through the trilogy with the themes and how the...

In this episode, we look at the music of the 2022 Netflix film of Persuasion with the music written by British composer Stuart Earl. We explore how it uses romantic melodies tinged with melancholy to express the emotions of the main couple, primarily the main heroine Anne. We also explore how the music spans musical genres from classical to jazz influences to minimalism to a pop song by Birdy. Alo...

In this episode, we look at the music of the TV film of Persuasion from 2007/2008 with the music written by British composer Martin Phipps. We explore how Phipps uses minimalism to express the emotions of the characters, primarily the main heroine Anne. Combined with her journal narration, the music tells her romantic journey of a second chance, aiding an introverted character to let the audience...

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 instrument as well as h...

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 Chung has been r...

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 Austen adaptations...

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 composer has thei...

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 to create a worl...

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 is accomplished t...

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 all 8 films. Mu...

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, Hogwarts, and o...

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 help tell the st...

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 themes and styles...

In this episode, we look at the soundtrack of the 1996 movie of Jane Austen's Emma by Rachel Portman. We listen to how the clarinet is Emma's voice and how the instrumentation, time signature, and major vs minor are often used to change mood or characters. We also pay to attention to how her emotional journey and theme changes throughout as well as the comedy and matchmaking theme. Finally, we com...

In this episode, we look at the soundtrack of the 1995 movie of Sense and Sensibility by Patrick Doyle. We explore the themes used for the sisters contrasting both a classical style with emotional impactful moments and how their journey is told throughout. “Orchard House (Main Title)” - Little Women: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Thomas Newman, 1994 “My Father’s Favorite” - Sense and Sensi...

In this episode, we look at the soundtrack of the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by Dario Marianelli. We explore the themes that describe Elizabeth's emotional journey as well as how the rest of the music sets the world and mood in this adaptation. Music Featured: "Dawn" - Pride and Prejudice (Music from the Motion Picture) , music by Dario Marianelli and performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet, 2005 "Mr...

This Episode focuses on the music from the 1995 mini-series Pride and Prejudice written by Carl Davis. From emulating Beethoven in style and size, to the use of the pianoforte, to hunting and romantic themes, Carl Davis both sets the scene for being in the Regency era as well as connecting with the modern audience. Featured music: Andante Favori in F Major, WoO 57 by Ludwig van Beethoven, performe...

Do you remember the first soundtrack that captured your imagination? In this first episode on soundtracks with host Ruth Mudge. she looks at the first soundtracks that captured her imagination and began the journey of exploration due to loving both the story and music.