Evolution of Film Soundtracks: From Silent Era to Modern Scores
The Evolution of Film Soundtracks
How was music chosen for silent films? Music was selected based on the scene’s mood (e.g., love, joy). Pianists played live, adapting to the action. Sound effects were also used.
What were two technical challenges in the 1930s? Synchronizing image and music, and balancing music volume with dialogue.
Name four important composers of the 1940s. Max Steiner, Miklos Rozsa, Alfred Newman, Franz Waxman.
Which musicians introduced new styles in the 1950s? Bernard Herrmann, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini.
What were two major innovations in the 1960s? The use of jazz and 20th-century symphonic sounds, and the rise of pop music.
What revolution did John Williams’s soundtrack for “Star Wars” produce? It sold millions of records, leading record companies to release soundtracks.
What changes occurred in 1980s pop soundtracks? Synthesizers became increasingly used to create electronic scores.
How did film music labels benefit in the 1990s? They included songs in movies, boosting public interest and record sales.
Name five Spanish film composers. José Nieto, Bernardo Bonezzi, Bingen Mendizabal, Alberto Iglesias.
Name six musicals. The Broadway Melody, An American in Paris, Singin’ in the Rain, Chicago, Mamma Mia!, The Other Side of the Bed.
Click Track Music: Small cuts and clicks used to synchronize music with the film.
(Gone With the Wind – Max Steiner) (Ben-Hur – Miklos Rozsa) (The Pink Panther – Henry Mancini) (North By Northwest – Bernard Herrmann) (Indiana Jones – John Williams)
(Star Wars – John Williams – Symphony) (Chariots of Fire – Vangelis – Electronica) (Planet of the Apes – D. Elfman) (Amelie – Yann Tiersen – Minimalism)
Symphony: Avant-garde classical music; experimental music. Minimalism: Repetitive patterns. Electronica: Many synthesized sounds.
(Chariots of Fire – Vangelis – Electronica) (Planet of the Apes – D. Elfman) (Amelie – Yann Tiersen – Minimalism)
A movie’s soundtrack includes all sounds: music, sound effects, and dialogue.
Functions of the Soundtrack:
- Creates atmosphere and setting.
- Influences the viewer’s psychology.
- Fills empty spaces without dialogue.
- Adjusts the pace of the scene.
- Leitmotif: Assigns a theme to characters or actions.
Brief History of the Soundtrack
Silent Era (1900-1920s): Films were accompanied by piano, violin, or small orchestras.
1930s (Early Talkies): Sound was recorded directly onto the film. Soundtracks followed classical music styles. The golden age of musical theater began. Notable soundtrack: Gone With the Wind by Max Steiner.
1940s and 1950s: Studios hired orchestras and prestigious composers. Classical styles and jazz were introduced. Stereo recording began in the 1950s. Notable soundtracks: Ben-Hur by Miklos Rozsa, Psycho and North by Northwest by Bernard Herrmann.
1960s and 1970s: Symphonic and jazz avant-garde music was used, along with pop songs (e.g., The Beatles). The Pink Panther by Henry Mancini. Ennio Morricone introduced new sounds in Westerns. In the late 1970s, symphonic scores resurged with Star Wars by John Williams, and record labels began to show interest in soundtrack releases.
1980s to Present: Different trends coexist:
- Symphonic Music: Superman, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter (John Williams), The Silence of the Lambs and The Lord of the Rings (Howard Shore), Titanic (James Horner), and Avatar.
- Synthesizers and Electronic Music: Blade Runner, 1492, Alexander (Vangelis).
- Other Currents: Minimalism, New Age, Pop.
- Dolby stereo was introduced, allowing musicians to experiment and involve the viewer from different points in the room.
- Revitalization of the Musical Film: Moulin Rouge!, Chicago, The Other Side of the Bed, Mamma Mia!