The music for the movies of Martin Scorsese

[Edmilson 7,392]

Continuing yesterday's thread about The Aviator, I decided to create a thread about the scores for other Scorsese films. 

 

He's a filmmaker with a very particular usage of music, and, although I love when he uses songs on his crime films (Goodfellas, Casino, Mean Streets, The Irishman), we can't deny that great scores were written for his movies.

 

So, what is the best one? Vote on the poll above. 

[A24 4,326]

I only have 3 of them.

 

- Taxi Driver 

- The Last Temptation Of Christ

- Cape Fear

[Lewya 360]

Taxi Driver for me. I don't consider Taxi Driver to be one of Herrmann's top 10 scores though, but I really like it.

 

While we are on this topic, I think Scorsese has rather subtly expressed some criticism for John Williams by the way. I think he said in the Spielberg documentary that he sometimes mutes the sound on Spielberg films and just watches pictures. But maybe I am reading too much into that.

[Not Mr. Big 4,639]

1. The Age Innocent

2. Hugo

3. Taxi Driver

4. The Departed

5. The Aviator

[Bofur01 245]

47 minutes ago, Lewya said:

I think he said in the Spielberg documentary that he sometimes mutes the sound on Spielberg films and just watches pictures. But maybe I am reading too much into that.

That’s not cinema!

[Jay 37,287]

Why doesn't Bernstein's Gangs of New York qualify?

[KK 3,307]

Taxi Driver,  The Last Temptation of Christ and Kundun are probably the most significant film scores to come out of Scorsese's canon. And all three are integral to the success of their features.

[Disco Stu 15,495]

The Age of Innocence is both Scorsese's best film and the best score for a Scorsese film.

[Thor 7,466]

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST is heads and shoulders above all the rest, so easiest choice ever.

[Bellosh 3,389]

The Last Temptation of Christ

 

No idea how it didn't get nominated for Best Score that year.

[KK 3,307]

I ran by Shore's "Brooklyn Heights" the other day and it made me think what a missed opportunity that whole film was for Howard. The few minutes he delivered are rather beautiful, and I feel like given the time/freedom, and his creative peak in the early 00s, he could really delivered his own Braveheart-esque epic. 

 

 

[mrbellamy 6,272]

16 hours ago, Lewya said:

While we are on this topic, I think Scorsese has rather subtly expressed some criticism for John Williams by the way. I think he said in the Spielberg documentary that he sometimes mutes the sound on Spielberg films and just watches pictures. But maybe I am reading too much into that.

 

I didn’t take that as a JW dig anymore than it’s like, a Gary Rydstrom dig, or a screenwriter dig. It was just praise for the framing, lighting, mise-en-scene in Spielberg’s films as worth enjoying and studying for its own sake. Not about soaking in the movie as much as learning from the visual craft of a friend and peer.

 

Spielberg actually said he does this too with his favorite films in his Inside the Actor’s Studio interview and recommended it to aspiring directors as a way of looking at a movie purely for its visual language.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Hugo. Of course the film isn't cinema. It has so many cgi effects how could it be.

[Edmilson 7,392]

I listened to The Aviator and Hugo the other days, and I really liked both. Shore/Scorsese collaborations are great! I hope he brings Shore back for Killers of the Flower Moon.

[A24 4,326]

JWFan has spoken. Taxi Driver won. 

[Not Mr. Big 4,639]

Martin Scorsese isn't a "score director".

[Edmilson 7,392]

1 hour ago, Alexcremers said:

JWFan has spoken. Taxi Driver won. 

 

With Hugo on a close second spot. No wonder these, along with The Age of Innocence, are the only Scorsese movies to get Oscar nominations for score.

 

That said, I thought Bernstein's TAoI would get a little more love. Maybe more people need to discover this score? I myself haven't watched the movie, and it's been years since I listened to the album.

[Jay 37,287]

On 2/19/2020 at 11:49 AM, Jay said:

Why doesn't Bernstein's Gangs of New York qualify?

 

[Edmilson 7,392]

I've never heard that Bernstein had written an unused score for Gangs until yesterday. 

[Jay 37,287]

Varese released it in 2008

 

https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=51298&forumID=1&archive=0

https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=51932&forumID=1&archive=0

[Brundlefly 2,385]

2 hours ago, Edmilson said:

I've never heard that Bernstein had written an unused score for Gangs until yesterday. 

?!

[Edmilson 7,392]

Are you in doubt about the fact that Bernstein wrote an unused score for Gangs or that I didn't know he did? 

[Brundlefly 2,385]

I'm astonished about the fact that he did.

[Edmilson 7,392]

Yeah, there is over 70 minutes of music for Gangs on the Varese album. Maybe he wrote a more traditional score, and Marty as usual preferred to use other songs?

 

I've never watched the movie, but I don't think Shore's score is that long.

[A24 4,326]

14 hours ago, Not Mr. Big said:

Martin Scorsese isn't a "score director".

 

Oh? Then what is this?

 

 

[Richard Penna 3,671]

I've only really heard Hugo, although if I'm honest, I like the credits song more than anything in the actual score.

 

I would also have seen The Departed at some point but don't remember anything about the music.

 

I also have one or two score tracks from Gangs of New York. They're ok. The film is long and looks boring and slow-burning - not interested.

[A24 4,326]

OK, JWfaner!

[Sweeping Strings 2,344]

U2's The Hands That Built America is the only music from Gangs Of New York that I remember. 

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

On 2/19/2020 at 5:54 PM, KK said:

Kundun

 

Possibly Glass' most boring score.

 

On 2/19/2020 at 6:20 PM, KK said:

I ran by Shore's "Brooklyn Heights" the other day and it made me think what a missed opportunity that whole film was for Howard. The few minutes he delivered are rather beautiful, and I feel like given the time/freedom, and his creative peak in the early 00s, he could really delivered his own Braveheart-esque epic. 

 

Wasn't Brooklyn Heights already existing music that they just put in the film?

[Jim Ware 526]

50 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Possibly Glass' most boring score.

50 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Wasn't Brooklyn Heights already existing music that they just put in the film?

Yes. Shore was busy working on The Two Towers at the time (there's a quote about it at https://www.soundtrack.net/content/article/?id=111).

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

Just now, Jim Ware said:

 

Fixed!

[Romão 2,274]

Kundun is my favorite Glass score. Wonderful album assembly too

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

It's too repetitive, even for a Glass score.

[Jim Ware 526]

12 minutes ago, Romão said:

Kundun is my favorite Glass score. Wonderful album assembly too

 

The Escape to India sequence is a magnificent combination of music and imagery.

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

That might be, but as a separate listening experience, Mishima is a superior score.

[Jim Ware 526]

3 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

That might be, but as a separate listening experience, Mishima is a superior score.

 

I can't argue with that one - I used it at my wedding! 

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

Just now, Jim Ware said:

 

I can't argue with that one - I used it at my wedding! 

 

Cool! Which cue? Runaway Horses is my favorite, but perhaps not quite suitable for the occasion! 

[Jim Ware 526]

6 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Cool! Which cue? Runaway Horses is my favorite, but perhaps not quite suitable for the occasion! 

Yes! Makes for an excellent recessional. Thankfully no-one was inspired to commit seppuku.

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

4 minutes ago, Jim Ware said:

Yes! Makes for an excellent recessional. Thankfully no-one was inspired to commit seppuku.

 

I guess no-one had brought a sword. Played on an organ, or just the CD?

[KK 3,307]

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Possibly Glass' most boring score.

 

Probably Glass' most effective score for film, aside from maybe Koyaaniqatsi. Scorsese's film just wouldn't work without it.

 

35 minutes ago, Jim Ware said:

Yes. Shore was busy working on The Two Towers at the time (there's a quote about it at https://www.soundtrack.net/content/article/?id=111).

 

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

Wasn't Brooklyn Heights already existing music that they just put in the film?

 

Well I always assumed the piece was still written for the film, even if not technically "scored" to it. Like a one-off piece that Scorsese could use as he pleases. Can't imagine another context for it. I remember there even being a "faster" variation of the theme in the film.

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

4 minutes ago, KK said:

Probably Glass' most effective score for film, aside from maybe Koyaaniqatsi. Scorsese's film just wouldn't work without it.

 

I was referring to the music apart from the film. I haven't seen it.

[Not Mr. Big 4,639]

6 hours ago, Alexcremers said:

 

Oh? Then what is this?

 

 

Another director/composer's score!

[Jay 37,287]

49 minutes ago, Jim Ware said:

 

I can't argue with that one - I used it at my wedding! 

 

That was a fun day!

[Edmilson 7,392]

Anyone else likes Shore's Hugo main theme? I think it's great!

 

 

It's refreshing to listen to a theme from him that isn't as epic as LOTR/Hobbit, or "dark and disturbing" as the Cronenberg flicks, just pure childhood wonder.

[KK 3,307]

Yeah, it's a great tune. The song at the end is absolutely lovely.

 

 

[TheUlyssesian 2,473]

1 hour ago, Edmilson said:

Anyone else likes Shore's Hugo main theme? I think it's great!

 

 

It's refreshing to listen to a theme from him that isn't as epic as LOTR/Hobbit, or "dark and disturbing" as the Cronenberg flicks, just pure childhood wonder.

 

It is even better in context!

 

 

[Edmilson 7,392]

It's one of Scorsese's movies where the original score is more allowed to shine.

[Jurassic Shark 12,030]

Taxi Driver and The Aviator are the best, Kundun is probably the worst.

[Bellosh 3,389]

idk man, Gabriel's, The Last Temptation of Christ is pretty surreal.

[bruce marshall 1,315]

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