The Beauty and Power of Music in Film
by isamiro
I have always been interested in how music is manipulated in films, through the use of soundtracks, sound effects, film scores, or even the absolute absence of sound. As spectators, we often least notice the music in films we hear the most. I find it astonishing how music is used throughout different film genres no only in framing and developing the personality of a particular personality but also in developing the personality of an entire blockbuster films. Admirable film scores, such as those of composer John Williams, are a timeless embodiment of popular films.
I consider John William’s scores to be impressive not only in the quality of sound and composition, but also in the power of the scores in exerting both a textual and a commercial influence. Williams’ immense success only adds to his portrayal as a composer in Hollywood, success that is reflected in the number of box office sales and profits. Not only has Williams composed some of my all-time favorite film scores. Williams represents a rather important change in the film industry by how he brings back the classical film score to a position of promininence. He not only adopts classical techniques, but also adopts them to the modern recording studio.
It is important to point out that John Williams is in control of the creative development of his work. As a composer, he is fully responsible for providing and enhancing the power of music in any of the many films his scores accompany. In this sense, Williams has become such a successful composer of musical scores both because of the quality of his film scores and the success attained by the various films he has scored over the years.
Williams is most recognized for the films of an adventurous, disaster, science fiction quality that he scored. Just as we have seen of many composers throughout the years, his adoption of a particular type of film to score has managed to shape his compositions. His work has had to adhere to the specific narrative and to the conventions of the film genre the film entails. Even though he has managed to attain a widely respectable status in Hollywood, he is still forced to constrain his creativity to the specific requirements demanded by the film genre and to adhere to certain expectations required by production. Nonetheless, his musical compositions are still rich and true to his style. Restrictions shape his work without taking away from the magic of his compositions.
These are some of my favorite scores by Williams and probably some of his most famous compositions. I have chosen to include mostly the theme song that allow for an easy recognition of the particular film. Enjoy!
Schindler’s List
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VorGotjeLjM
Jaws Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3KYEYasUm4
Indiana Jones Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTpp8PQSog
Star Wars, “Imperial March”
The Thousand-Year Ears 
Jurassic Park probably has his best music. He somehow pulled off having a slow, calm main theme for an action movie.
Williams is an incredible composer who really demonstrates the power of music to shape culture. His melodies, in some cases, are more famous than the movies they are in. For instance, I would bet that more people know the ominous “Jaws” theme than have actually watched the movie.
I would also like to share this link to an awesome tribute to John Williams, an a capella arrangement titled “John Williams is the Man:”
John Williams has truly helped augment the film viewing experience with his music. Each song is perfectly catered to the emotional aspects of the scenes in which they are played- which is what makes the soundtracks so rememberable and potent. Thanks for sharing the links, I enjoyed listening to those tracks again.
Restrictions may shape his work, but that is necessary in order to achieve the desired effect from the movie. After Jaws’ success, people pointed out to William’s music for helping the director, Steven Spielberg, achieve his goal of scaring the audience. In addition, based on interviews with Williams (see link below), the composer regards himself as a “film composer,” who has agreed to adhere to the demands of the film, and not a “frustrated concert composer.”
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/feb/04/artsfeatures
I can honestly say music makes movies for me. I recognize movies by their soundtracks. Williams’s style is so recognizable as well. These days James Newton Howard and, of course, Hanz Zimmer really do it for me. I’m actually kind of upset you posted this because I would have loved to write about something like this and not felt unoriginal. Anyways, I’m glad someone shares this similar interest.
His music tells a story better than the script. It is hard to picture Darth Vader or Indiana Jones with any other theme music. Maybe its just how the brain links music to the character but to me the themes fit in perfectly. True masterpieces.
John Williams is absolutely fantastic but I love Hans Zimmer’s works the most. I love the fact that he loves doing collaboratives with fantastic artists like James Newton Howard (Dark Knight) and Klaus Badelt (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator) and as a result, becomes a different composer altogether. Very interesting for those who are interested:
Johns Williams is my absolute favorite composer. His themes are some of the most well known of all time. Particularly some of the ones mentioned already–Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc. There’s something about each of these pieces that just really draws the audience in. Personally, whenever I hear the Indiana Jones theme, I can’t help but feel like it’s time for an adventure.
Jaws would not be a scary movie without the music. There is somehting about the repetition and the growing volume of that famous approaching shark sequence that really effects me.
I think, at least in the development of film as a genre, it’s also important to look at the role of music in silent films. Music characterized the setting, provided the dialogue and helped guide the character development.