Heading West

by Richard S.

Growing up in London, I developed an instant affection for film music. Everything from Vangelis’ Blade Runner to Henry Mancini’s Condorman struck a chord. Yet, one soundtrack transcended the genre for which it was written: Bruce Broughton’s Silverado. It’s a Western score which both leads… and follows. When a character gets shot, we feel the emotional impact due to Broughton’s delicate motifs. By comparison, I don’t feel Tombstone carries the same level of depth and thematic heft.

Shortly after my tenth birthday, I moved to Wales and that’s when the world changed. Three important aspects of my life were born: reading, writing and the music of Max Steiner. The latter contributed cracking soundtracks for King Kong (1933) and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948). Suffice to say, these films were enhanced tenfold by the music.

The first score I ever purchased (on audio tape, then CD) was 1492: Conquest of Paradise. Vangelis received a Golden Globe nomination for his work, although many people believe the music doesn't work too well in context. Regardless, I still find the opening track Hispanola to be highly imaginative and deeply moving.

Throughout the new millennium, the music of Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Dimitri Tiomkin, Robert Folk and John Ottman has caused my fascination to grow.

Since March 2011, I have been writing critiques for Betty Jo Tucker’s website ReelTalk Movie Reviews. Overall, it’s been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Richard writes First Listen reviews for Film Score Fans.  Check him out!