CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO: The Best of 2012

[Erik Woods 557]

You can listen to the entire show at http://www.cinematic...scores-of-2012/

#1 | JOHN CARTER (Michael Giacchino)

Cinematic Sound Radio’s choice for best score of 2012 goes to Michael Giacchino’s awe-inspiring score to Andrew Stanton’s JOHN CARTER. Even though the film crashed and burned at the box-office, Giacchino score soared with epic themes, romantic interludes and swashbuckling action music written for a full symphony orchestra and chorus. The score dazzles and impresses from start to finish!

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#2 | THE IMPOSSIBLE (Fernando Velázquez)

The number 2 score of 2012 is Fernando Velázquez’s music from the emotional powerhouse, THE IMPOSSIBLE. The film tells the story of a Spanish family, consisting of father, mother and three children who managed to survive the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Velázquez’s mono-thematic score covers a wide variety of emotions; loneliness, saddness, suspense and horror but the highlight of the score is the phenomenal main theme that injects the heart with warmth, joy and relief. Keep a box of tissues near by to wipe away the tears as you listen to this magnificent score.

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#3 | THERE BE DRAGONS (Robert Folk)

The number 3 score of 2012 is Robert Folk’s replacement score for Roland Joffe’s Spanish Civil War epic, THERE BE DRAGONS. Stephen Warbeck wrote an original score for the first cut of the film in 2011 but when Roland Joffe recut the film in the fall of 2011 he commissioned a new score to be written. Robert Folk was hired and provided the film with an old school, traditional, multi-thematic symphonic sound that was inspired by some of the greatest scores in film music history.

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#4 | LINCOLN (John Williams)

John Williams’ score to Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN enters the countdown at number 4. Williams’ brilliantly spotted score is uncharacteristically restrained. Drawing inspiration from Aaron Copland and Williams’ own compositions for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, JFK and THE PATRIOT, Williams score is melodic, dramatic, noble – at times playful – and very delicate. Superbly performed by renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus, Williams music hits all the right notes. This is a score the deserves your undivided attention.

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#5 | SKYFALL (Thomas Newman)

The number 5 score of 2012 is from the 23rd James Bond film, SKYFALL. First time Bond director Sam Mendes brought in his frequent collaborator Thomas Newman to write the score. Newman’s score is his take on what Bond music should sound like while at the same time still acknowledging the classic Bond sound that came before him. While Newman didn’t write any of his own new themes in this action packed score, he did incorporate Adele’s title tune into the mix. He also manipulated, twisted and played around with Monty Norman’s classic Bond theme in some very creative ways.

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#6 | PRICELESS (Naoki Sato)

Music from the Japanese TV series PRICELESS by Naoki Sato enters the countdown in at number 6. This bizarre show tells the tale of a businessman who looses everything and must learn from two small boys how eat and live without money. Sato’s score is magical and lush with lyrical sing-song like themes that are ridiculously over the top. There’s love themes, heroic themes and thrilling action music. It’s just a feel good, old fashioned score performed by a massive symphony orchestra and chorus.

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#7 | LIFE OF PI (Mychael Danna)

Canadian composer and the newest Golden Globe award winner Mychael Danna’s score to Ang Lee’s spectacular film, LIFE OF PI, enters in at number 7. LIFE OF PI marks the third collaboration between Danna and director Lee. The music, in the composer’s words, “guides viewers by means of emotions through a film that raises big philosophical and religious questions.” Danna’s unique blend of western scoring and ethnic instrumentation makes this score one of the most inspirational and hypnotic listens of 2012.

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#8 | METSAN TARINA (Panu Aaltio)

Panu Aaltio’s score to the Finnish documentary feature METSAN TARINA (A TALE OF A FOREST) is only the second documentary score in the 16 year history of Cinematic Sound Radio to enter a year end best of chart. The score, like the film, is a wondrous journey full of lush themes, ethereal beauty, childlike playfulness, majestic fanfares and fluttering woodwinds. And the last track in this suite, “A Forest Adventure ” is the feel good cue of 2012.

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#9 | ISABEL (Federico Jusid)

Argentinian composer Federico Jusid’s powerful score to the Spanish TV series ISABEL enters the countdown at number 9. This grand symphonic score features thematic, lush, and emotionally charged music enhanced by breathtaking choir and solo voices. The series, which tells the tale of the life of Queen Isabella I of Castile, first aired in September 2012 and has been renewed for a second season with filming scheduled to beginning in February 2013.

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#10 (TIE) | RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (Alexandre Desplat)

The best scores of 2012 countdown began with two scores tied for the number 10 spot. The first is Alexandre Desplat’s fantasy/adventure score to Peter Ramsey’s RISE OF THE GUARDIANS featuring the voice talents of Chris Pine, Alex Baldwin and Huge Jackman. Desplat was given a lot of creative freedom when writing this score and with that he crafted the most satisfying adventure score of his career.

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#10 (TIE) | GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (Frederik Wiedmann)

The other score tied with RISE OF THE GUARDIANS for the tenth best score of 2012 is GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES by Frederik Wiedmann. Fans of old fashioned, leitmotivic adventure scores will find this score most satisfying. Wiedmann’s impressive collection of samples and synthizisers does a convincing job of mimicking a traditional symphony orchestra, which is complimented by the other worldly sounds of an electric violin, electric cello and exotic woodwinds. Out of the all the comic book scores to be released in 2012, this is the best of the bunch.

Thanks for reading and tuning in!

-Erik-

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

John Carter before the Lincoln... meh.

[scallenger 487]

This looks like a really good lineup of the best scores of last year... and I may have to agree on your number one choice! I also think The Impossible was a really good number 2, and it seems a bit underrated by the film score community. Really powerful music and it does tug the heart strings.

Btw... any way you could make an edit of all parts together in one file for download?