Who Is Ben-Hur?
1. Ben-Hur is the last great film score in the tradition of the golden age until 1977. Describe the characteristics of the classical film score as exemplified in this film. Include a description of significant themes and scenes. (10 pts)
Ben- Hur directed by William Wyler in 1958 is one of the most well-known films that reflects classical traditions. Throughout the film, Miklos Rozsa used love themes through the romantic relationships. Miklos also incorporates harmony through his musical ideas which are associated with Roman, Hebrew, and early Christianity religions. Miklos also includes parallel harmonies for the same pitch association from chord to chord. These musical melodies support moods, character, setting, actions, and plan. Certain parts of the melody are also very critical such as the bass playing in the credits. Another chord that was heard in the Christian theme was the western triadic chords while these were the same chords heard during the Roman marches.
2. Psycho helps usher in the New American Cinema era. Using Psycho as a model, discuss the major changes to film music in the 1960s. (10 pts) …show more content…
There were many changes in the 1960s one of the most famous changes was the European influence.
Psycho is a great model to use to show the major changes during that period due to the difference we can see between the traditional and non-traditional film. An example we can see from Psycho as a major change is the black and white for the cold and terror moods, which are linked to European productions due to the cheaper cost. Unorthodox plots, Beginnings, Endings, Conflicts, and Climax were all apart of the European influence. Another example is the orchestra and the black and white cinematography matching. While Bernard Herman used distinct sounds such as percussive sounding strings through the microphone for more rougher sounds. Herman also goes on and uses other ways to bring his creative sounds to life by using unique ways of making
sounds.
3. Discuss the growth of the various types of popular music in films from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. Please mention specific films, styles, and composers when you can. (20 pts)
The growth of popular music in films from the late 1940s through the 1970s has provided the industry with great information on the transition. In the late 1940s the central theme was the negativity and cynicism in the films. Miklos Rozsa, composed for “Noir” while Aaron Coplan composed for “The Red Pony” these where times in the industry where competition against television played a apart and due to increase in cost. This made American film makers direct excellent movies that had major influence on film music. Popular music also started making a mark and expanded in the 1950s through the influence of Jazz music other forms such rock and roll, country, and western.
An example of certain people who incorporated popular music are David Amram composed a film score for “The Manchurian Candidate”, Quincy Jones in “The Pawnbroker”, and Elmer Bernstien for “To Kill a Mocking Bird”. Through the mid 1960s and 1970s the American audience were more drawn into political events such as the Vietnam war; these political events made filmmakers use the traditional music scoring for reality for movies such as Midnight Cowboy, Planet of the Apes. Overall the growth from the late 1940s to 1970s has been increasingly profitable due to being able to have hits such as Midnight cowboy while being innovate with music as well.
Ben- Hur directed by William Wyler in 1958 is one of the most well-known films that reflects classical traditions. Throughout the film, Miklos Rozsa used love themes through the romantic relationships. Miklos also incorporates harmony through his musical ideas which are associated with Roman, Hebrew, and early Christianity religions. Miklos also includes parallel harmonies for the same pitch association from chord to chord. These musical melodies support moods, character, setting, actions, and plan. Certain parts of the melody are also very critical such as the bass playing in the credits. Another chord that was heard in the Christian theme was the western triadic chords while these were the same chords heard during the Roman marches.
2. Psycho helps usher in the New American Cinema era. Using Psycho as a model, discuss the major changes to film music in the 1960s. (10 pts) …show more content…
There were many changes in the 1960s one of the most famous changes was the European influence.
Psycho is a great model to use to show the major changes during that period due to the difference we can see between the traditional and non-traditional film. An example we can see from Psycho as a major change is the black and white for the cold and terror moods, which are linked to European productions due to the cheaper cost. Unorthodox plots, Beginnings, Endings, Conflicts, and Climax were all apart of the European influence. Another example is the orchestra and the black and white cinematography matching. While Bernard Herman used distinct sounds such as percussive sounding strings through the microphone for more rougher sounds. Herman also goes on and uses other ways to bring his creative sounds to life by using unique ways of making
sounds.
3. Discuss the growth of the various types of popular music in films from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. Please mention specific films, styles, and composers when you can. (20 pts)
The growth of popular music in films from the late 1940s through the 1970s has provided the industry with great information on the transition. In the late 1940s the central theme was the negativity and cynicism in the films. Miklos Rozsa, composed for “Noir” while Aaron Coplan composed for “The Red Pony” these where times in the industry where competition against television played a apart and due to increase in cost. This made American film makers direct excellent movies that had major influence on film music. Popular music also started making a mark and expanded in the 1950s through the influence of Jazz music other forms such rock and roll, country, and western.
An example of certain people who incorporated popular music are David Amram composed a film score for “The Manchurian Candidate”, Quincy Jones in “The Pawnbroker”, and Elmer Bernstien for “To Kill a Mocking Bird”. Through the mid 1960s and 1970s the American audience were more drawn into political events such as the Vietnam war; these political events made filmmakers use the traditional music scoring for reality for movies such as Midnight Cowboy, Planet of the Apes. Overall the growth from the late 1940s to 1970s has been increasingly profitable due to being able to have hits such as Midnight cowboy while being innovate with music as well.