Identifying Thematic or Orchestral Qualities

TBond123 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:07 am **Posts:** 2

Good day everyone!

The matter posed in the subject speaks to a very broad process but, particularly in this case I had hoped to ask the opinion of the community on a thing. There is a score, from a BBC Series: His Dark Materials. Lorne Balfe is the mastermind behind it, and to say the least it certainly has moments of excellence. One such moment has reminded me of a task I've been struggling with for some time.

Moderators, if YouTube links are not allowed please advise and I shall amend the below.

In the following track: https://youtu.be/gY8q9-c7bH8?t=117

There is a sequence which utilizes elements from a string ensemble, and a choir- played in a particular fashion so as to be... dramatic? Is the best term I can think of. Impactful, emotional, perhaps. This use of choir, or perhaps the particular chord progression(if that applies here) used- I would like to learn how to identify, and discover similar tracks of like kind. There is something, and the vocals play a huge part, within this style of music that calls to me.

Another example, from the film "Maleficent":

https://youtu.be/3cm3eqN66f4?t=8

Referring to the vocals which begin shortly after the timestamp, they way they compliment the theme is marvellous. Could it just be that the common thread is vocal backing? Some vocals do not call to me, used in tandem with orchestra, so I am hesitant to rely on that.

One last one:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6nRmgnXF ... T7uG0B6uYE

Apologies for the spotify link, I have searched for some time now and cannot find a sufficient YouTube link, that does not have fading or excess dialogue, over the track.

Again in the above, 58 seconds into the track, is another example of wonderful vocals that delight the ear. I understand there may be no unique name or method in play here, or perhaps the commonality is that Hans Zimmer was behind Hidden Figures/Man of Steel, and Lorne Balfe was a student of Hans Zimmer- maybe it is something in the Zimmer sound?

But if there is one here who might have a firmer grasp on the particular style that is represented across these tracks, I would be much obliged for your assistance.

Thanks for reading,

T

Fugues · **Joined:** Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:23 pm **Posts:** 603

Ostinatos and wordless choirs are indeed commonly employed today, and for sure largely by the "Zimmer School." Constantly repeated melodies and the sound of the human voice are perhaps two of the most common things to immediately draw attention to human minds.

I'm sure you've heard Ramin Djawadi's work on Game of Thrones. Some of those scores are perhaps among the few that I really enjoy from the currently predominant approach to scoring.

Fugues · **Joined:** Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:23 pm **Posts:** 603

I'll use this thread to ponder a not so off-topic question. Why is it that the modern "Zimmer School" of composers often create a bizarre discordance when attempting to rearrange great existing themes, or otherwise make it extremely bland? It always seems to be one of the two extremes.

Take Lorne Balfe's "Bad Boys for Life" score as an example.

Bizarre Arrangement

Extremely Bland Arrangement

bruce marshall · **Joined:** Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:16 pm **Posts:** 775

TBond123 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:07 am **Posts:** 2

bruce marshall · **Joined:** Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:16 pm **Posts:** 775

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Identifying Thematic or Orchestral Qualities

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