UnderScore

In an episode of many firsts we're thrilled to introduce our next film subject - Amélie. Yann Tiersen's irreplaceable score is brimming with charm and today we explore the film's central theme, La Valse d'Amélie (Amélie's Waltz). We study the musical features of the theme and discover what it suggests about the inner life of our film's heroine. Along the way we dive into the history of the Waltz in European musical culture and the legacy of the French Bal-musette tradition. Tiersen's score was uniquely constructed, ultimately including several pieces of music from his existing catalogue. This theme, along with a handful of others written specifically for the film, marked his first foray into cinema scoring and the result is something worthy of the canon of great film music. Bon appétit!

Listen to episode 4m1 La Valse d'Amélie
Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain - Yann Tiersen - 2001 - Canal+ (Jean-Pierre Jeunet, dir,)
- A Quai
- La Valse d'Amélie
- La Valse d'Amélie (Version Orchestre)
- La Valse d'Amélie (Version Piano)
For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com

Today we are delighted to share our conversation with composer/producer Gabriel Mann. You know Gabriel as the composer for the multiple-Emmy winning television series Modern Family, including its signature title theme. He has also composed the music to Rosewood, Dr. Ken, Rectify, Dawn of the Croods, and School of Rock, currently airing on Nickelodeon. Additionally, Gabriel is an in-demand record producer and his band The Rescues has met great acclaim since its founding in 2008. Fans of Arrested Development will recognize Gabriel as he served as the resident songwriter and vocalist for the series. Along with Rebecca Kneubel, Mann composed the scores to three games in the popular Spyro series. A graduate of the USC scoring program and a great champion of melodic pop music Gabriel is a delight to talk to and an all around enthusiastic and hilarious person. Enjoy!
Listen to Interview: Gabriel Mann
-Leaky Family - from Rectify (Sundance Channel / Gran Via Productions)
-This Feeling - from the album Tall Buildings (Gabriel Mann, 2007)
Arrested Development (Imagine Television):
-As It Is Such (Gabriel Mann, David Schwartz, Lucy Schwartz)
-Getaway (Mitch Hurwitz, Gabriel Mann, David Schwartz)
-Floating Islands - from Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (Gabriel Mann, Rebecca Kneubuhl)
Modern Family (ABC/ 20th Century Fox Television):
-Main Title
-Feldman Brenda
-Can't Stand The Rain - from the album Let Loose The Horses (The Rescues, 2010)
Dr. Ken (ABC Studios / Sony Pictures Television)
-Main Title
Rosewood (20th Century Fox Television)
-Petechiae
Marry Me (NBC / Sony Pictures TV)
-I Was Just Worried About You
http://www.gabrielmann.com/
For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com

Today’s the day! After 5 episodes exploring the context & composition of this historic, world-changing score we’re finally ready to sit down to watch 1977’s STAR WARS in its entirety. As mentioned previously, our commentary corresponds to the original theatrical cut of the film. At the moment this is a difficult copy to obtain commercially, but is available in a few sources including the special features of the 2006 DVDs, pre-1997 VHS and laserdisc copies and various fan preservation editions online. The snare drum rolls of Alfred Newman’s 20th Century Fox opening fanfare should be a helpful sync point for lining up your audio. Thank you so much for listening - producing these episodes has been a profound and humbling experience that has left us forever changed. Here we go... #maytheforcebewithyou #always #thankyouforlistening
Listen to episode 7m4 The STAR WARS Commentary
STAR WARS - John Williams - 1977 - Lucasfilm Ltd./20th Century Fox (George Lucas, dir,)
Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra - John Williams Signature Edition - Hal Leonard (conductor score)
https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=4490057&lid=150&keywords=john%20williams%20signature&subsiteid=1&
IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/?ref_=nv_sr_5

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For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
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to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast

We've dreamed of these episodes since ever conceiving the podcast... Today we want to offer our thanks for your patience, attention and support by turning to a subject so many of us love like no other: John Williams' score to STAR WARS (1977). Now more than ever we want to remember the original cinematic phenomenon that defied the odds and seemed to unite a jaded, world-weary nation. Now we turn back the clock more than 40 years, to a time when Princess Leia & Luke Skywalker were little more than ideas in the mind of a young & visionary George Lucas; to a decade where a seasoned & sophisticated composer was presented the opportunity of a lifetime. Unbeknownst to either of them, together these two collaborators would create a work that would enrapture their public, transform their industry, and undeniably change the popular culture of their planet. We begin our 5-part series on STAR WARS with a special prologue examining all that happened before John Williams put pencil to paper. We've got so many questions we're dying to ask: What was the state of film music in the late 1970's? What did George Lucas envision musically for his space fantasy? How was Williams uniquely poised to deliver what is arguably the most essential film score of all time? What was the temp score to STAR WARS and who was its author? What of these occasional allegations of copying/borrowing/plagiarism? ... Today we attempt to answer each of these questions and prepare as best as we can for the episodes ahead. We hope to make this series as special & content-rich as possible - we can't wait to share what's in store. May the force be with you!
Listen to Prologue: A Long Time Ago...
Rinzler, J.W. The Making of Star Wars New York, NY, Ballantine Books, 2007
Star Wars, Lucas, and Williams: An Introduction
https://www.soundtrackpodcast.com/podcasts/star-wars-lucas-and-williams-an-introduction.htm
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For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
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to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast

Today's Reel Change begins a delightful dive into the history of the Movie Musical. For a twist, we start in the present day and move backwards in time, step by step, song by song in a most melodious walk down memory lane. We hope today's selections (by no means intended as an exhaustive 'greatest of' list) spark joy in the way only great movie musicals can.
Join us and be prepared - you may find yourself suddenly and uncontrollably bursting into song.
[Note: This 2-part podcast focuses on songs from live-action Movie Musicals. A future Reel Change will cover the wonderful tradition of music from Animated Musicals].


Listen to Reel Change: The Movie Musical (Part I)
Today's Selections:
Mary Poppins Returns “Nowhere to Go but Up” (music: Marc Shaiman, lyrics: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman)
The Greatest Showman “A Million Dreams” (Benj Pasek / Justin Paul)
LaLa Land “City of Stars” (music: Justin Hurwitz, lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul)
The Last Five Years “Nobody Needs to Know” (Jason Robert Brown)
Les Miserables “Castle on a Cloud” (music: Claude-Michel Schönberg, French lyrics: Alain Boubil, English lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer)
Sweeney Todd “Pretty Women” (Stephen Sondheim)
Enchanted “That’s How You Know” (music: Alan Menken, lyrics: Stephen Schwartz)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas “Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You” (music: James Horner, lyrics: Will Jennings)
Robin Hood: Men in Tights “Marian” (music: Hummie Mann, lyrics: Mel Brooks)
Newsies “King of New York” (music: Alan Menken, lyrics: Jack Feldman)
Dick Tracy “More” (Stephen Sondheim) ■ ■ ■
For score reductions, additional links and more,
the discussion continues at: www.underscorepodcast.com
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to support the show, please visit www.patreon.com/underscorepodcast