Introduction[]
Wojciech Kilar - Bram Stoker's Dracula - Vampire Hunters
"Vampire Hunters"
Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013) was a Polish classical and film composer. He wrote music to many films such as: Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Pianist, The Portrait of a Lady, Death and the Maiden, The Ninth Gate, and many more. He also wrote many works for choir and orchestra. In most of his works, a vocalist or choir was often used or featured.
Analysis[]
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) was an American horror fantasy erotic drama film directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, and was based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker.
Wojciech Kilar - Bram Stoker's Dracula - The Storm
"The Storm"
The most interesting selection from the soundtrack was titled "The Storm." In this one selection, Kilar utilized voices with orchestra. Kilar set up a calm mood in the beginning with violent interjections of percussion, hinting that a storm was coming. As the piece progressed, it got more forceful and at one point even contained poly-tempi. The relentless push of the voices and timpani paired with the seemingly out of time glockenspiel created a very unsettling effect.
In the selection "Mina / Dracula," the theme for Dracula can be heard in the cello at the opening. This theme reappeared consistantly throughout the entire soundtrack. Whats noteworthy about this selection, was that Dracula's theme changes. It gradually becomes lighter with the use of different instrumentation, colors of register, and pitch (oh, the effects of love).
Wojciech Kilar - Bram Stoker's Dracula - Mina Dracula-0
"Mina / Dracula"
Comparison[]
I decided to compare this soundtrack to John Williams' "The Ultimate Battle" from Star Wars Episode III. It was the most readily available selection of music (along with the "Imperial March" which did make an appearance in this selection) that showed Williams' dark side (pun included). There were similarities between the two soundtracks. The themes for Dracula and Darth Vader appeared frequently throughout, as do themes for other characters. The thematic material was quite well done to describe a certain character. I felt that John Williams took more of a fanfare approach to music, and Kilar took more of a low strings and vocal approach. However, I still think that the most interesting modern musical effect was the use of multiple tempi in Kilar's "The Storm."
Observations[]
This was very much the most enjoyable article that I have written thus far. I love listening to soundtracks, and the darkness of all of the music was just wonderful. Out of the way, John Williams...
Sources[]
Kilar, Wojciech. "Wojciech Kilar - Bram Stoker's Dracula - Mina / Dracula" (video). Accessed May 2, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff2CjcTyYXI&list=PLNQokGm1k9iFz03LaLBqMJrAb_cOvQUyX.
Kilar, Wojciech. "Wojciech Kilar - Bram Stoker's Dracula - The Storm" (video). Accessed May 2, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVeZaWL8vQ4&list=PLNQokGm1k9iFz03LaLBqMJrAb_cOvQUyX
Kilar, Wojciech. "Wojciech Kilar - Bram Stoker's Dracula - Vampire Hunters" (video). Accessed May 2, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqFI9QWaFeM&list=PLNQokGm1k9iFz03LaLBqMJrAb_cOvQUyX The Associated Press. "Wojciech Kilar, 81, Composer for Movies and Symphony Halls, Dies at 81." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, January 10, 2014. Accessed May 2, 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/11/arts/music/wojciech-kilar-81-polish-composer-for-film-dies.html?_r=0.
Thomas, Adrian. "Kilar, Wojciech." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, accessd May 2, 2014. http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/15002.
Williams, John. "Star Wars Episode III Soundtrack: The Ultimate Battle" (video). Accessed May 2, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbWR23NNCMs.