Point me to the Counterpoint
March 13, 2010 8:46 AM Subscribe
Recommendations for movie soundtracks that use contrapuntal music.
I was listening to The Mission soundtrack and it reminded me that I am a sucker for contrapuntal music-- two or more melodies played over each other. In the first track (On Earth As It Is In Heaven) The Mission theme is sung while the Gabriel's Oboe theme is played over it. I particularly love vocal counterpoint as opposed to all instrumental, however I am open to any suggestions for film scores within these guidelines:
No musicals
No rock/pop music collections
No jazz
I was listening to The Mission soundtrack and it reminded me that I am a sucker for contrapuntal music-- two or more melodies played over each other. In the first track (On Earth As It Is In Heaven) The Mission theme is sung while the Gabriel's Oboe theme is played over it. I particularly love vocal counterpoint as opposed to all instrumental, however I am open to any suggestions for film scores within these guidelines:
No musicals
No rock/pop music collections
No jazz
Best answer: Must it be a film soundtrack? If not...
You should definitely check out Steve Reich's work, especially Electric Counterpoint and New York Counterpoint. Additionally, a lot of his opera/vocal work has some pretty badass vocal counterpoint. I recommend just buying the box set of his work because its that awesome.
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:42 PM on March 13, 2010
You should definitely check out Steve Reich's work, especially Electric Counterpoint and New York Counterpoint. Additionally, a lot of his opera/vocal work has some pretty badass vocal counterpoint. I recommend just buying the box set of his work because its that awesome.
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:42 PM on March 13, 2010
Best answer: This may violate your "no Jazz" rule, depending on if your definition of Jazz includes popular music from the 1930s, but there's a classic example of what you're talking about in "Picnic (1955)."
The score (CD) is by George Duning.
In the movie, during an outdoor party, the old song Moonglow starts playing. Kim Novak and William Holden start dancing to it. As they dance, Duning's love theme kicks in, but Moonglow keeps playing. The effect is really powerful.
(By the way, if you watch the movie, look out for Rosalind Russell's "Marry Me, Howard" scene. It's one of the best pieces of acting ever caught on film. Heartbreaking.)
Here's the dance scene on YouTube.
posted by grumblebee at 1:56 PM on March 13, 2010
The score (CD) is by George Duning.
In the movie, during an outdoor party, the old song Moonglow starts playing. Kim Novak and William Holden start dancing to it. As they dance, Duning's love theme kicks in, but Moonglow keeps playing. The effect is really powerful.
(By the way, if you watch the movie, look out for Rosalind Russell's "Marry Me, Howard" scene. It's one of the best pieces of acting ever caught on film. Heartbreaking.)
Here's the dance scene on YouTube.
posted by grumblebee at 1:56 PM on March 13, 2010
Best answer: Ennio Morricone's score to For A Few Dollars More.
posted by Sticherbeast at 3:20 PM on March 13, 2010
posted by Sticherbeast at 3:20 PM on March 13, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you guys for answering such an esoteric question. I think I will start with the George Durning score, but I will definitely give all the suggestions a try.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:15 AM on March 19, 2010
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:15 AM on March 19, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 11:12 AM on March 13, 2010