While taking "Music in Film" last year to complete my class requirements at Washburn, I got into a very interesting discussion with Gene Marshall, the instructor, about movie soundtracks; particularly the composed orchestral kind, and wether or not "Geeks" had more insight into the auditory film world than most people.
Some movie theme songs are just so iconic, that they transcend the obscurity of classical music. I'd wager that you could play the theme to one of these major movies, and the public at large would get it. For example:
(go ahead, I'll wait...)
More than likely, you probably recognized that clip as being from the STAR WARS. And I'd wager if you invited a bunch of people over and it was playing in your CD player, most of them would be able to identify it as from STAR WARS, (at least the saga, if not a specific film.) I'd go so far as to say if you mentioned John Williams as a composer, most of those people would have at least heard of him. The same holds true with these other iconic pieces of music...
These are all well known, highly recognizable themes from blockbuster movies. (and ironically, ALL John Williams.) Can you name the films they're from? First person to comment with the correct film for each of these wins an official Ka-Tet Of Geek "Atta-boy!"
But could you do the same thing with a score by Danny Elfman? Or Hans Zimmer? Or James Horner? With the majority of these artists, the normal lay person should still recognize the music even if they can't place it, and many would be able to do both. The Pink Panther Theme, for example, would be recognized even if it's composer Henry Mancini would not be.
But to film buffs, who are in and of themselves, a specific class of geek, all these are all household names. Maybe it's because the composers are involved in the same circles as the sci-fi stories like STAR WARS that are so loved, maybe the fandom is just so inclusive. My argument with Gene was that geeks, because of their inclusiveness are more likely to be fans of soundtracks and composers because of their fandom of a specific genre, and by extension, classical music as well.
Can you recognize this theme?
The phenomenon like the composer's work, is not just limited to genre specific films. Here are two examples that are arguably NOT sci-fi films (though the first can be labeled a fantasy by some).
You knew them, right? I guarantee the geeks among us do. ;-) <>
This post was Great!! cause I think we have all experienced when a song becomes more than just a song and as soon as you hear it the memories or excitement all comes back and its even better when others share that with you!
ReplyDeleteAngelo's comment is exactly what I was thinking! These songs are memories themselves! You can't help but take a trip down memory lane when you hear them! Great post!!
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