CineMusic? Constructing the Film Score (review)

摘要: David Cooper, Christopher Fox and Ian Sapiro (eds.), CineMusic? Constructing the Film Score (Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2008), 220pp.Diversity can be a quality of ambiguous merit for collection essays to possess. What seems pleasing postmodern plurality voices one reader might be, another, perceived lack coherence. Or, put filmic slant on things (and re-use rather tired, if useful, cinematic simile), an essay is like Forrest Gump's 'box chocolates'. Reaching into eclectic contents Score, really doesn't know what 'going get'. Clearly, coeditor believes this consequence film musicology's status as 'a very new enterprise' (ix) he writes enthusiastically 'lack inhibition' 'undogmatic candour' contributions (ix-x). While there are grounds, perhaps, questioning view discipline, thus diversity volume's contents, book thankfully turns out more polished hazelnut caramels than half-baked coconut eclairs, certainly worth speculative dip.Fox's short introduction reveals collection's origins in music conferences held at National Media Museum Bradford (beginning 2005), but extended acknowledgements section that does little explain selection papers other emphasise their wide-ranging nature. This not necessarily criticism, though: trying uncover latent themes conference were never intended go together often act academic dishonesty, editors have refrained from pull wool over readers' eyes regard. Instead, grouped three sensibly-labelled sections ('Scoring Processes', 'Popular Scores' 'Narrativity'), framed by two composer interviews (with Trevor Jones Michael Nyman), followed afterword Anahid Kassabian. Of these sections, middle works least well; its chapters inherently unconvincing, just under-developed, firmer editorial hand may helped shape better. Although insufficient space here discuss each book's detail, I hope give taste what's offer.Devoting 'scoring processes' bold move, especially it forms opening book. The difficulty arises with subject, which frequently fascinating, way presented. In short, reading about different drafts music, or technical intricacies scoring process, hard going without audio-visual illustration makes so enjoyable setting. Cooper's chapter evolution Jones's score Sea Love (a nice counterfoil interview precedes it) case point. richly illustrated, suffers all narrow focus single cue - scene did even make final cut (32) available consult. kind would find natural home part Scarecrow Guide, such own volume Herrmann's Ghost Mrs Muir. For undoubted scholarly merit, illumination working methods, comprehensiveness approach, well skim-read most ardent fans those scholars particularly interested compositional process.Miguel Mera's illuminating benefits unique perspective author occupies musicologist composer. tracing composition his film, Moth, temp track finished score, Mera able probe further nature collaborative highlighting complex interplay personalities factors dictate choices. …