The Soundtrack Show

Latest Episodes:

The Queen's Gambit: An Interview with Composer Carlos Rafael Rivera (Part II) Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

In part II of our interview with Carlos Rafael Rivera, we discuss how he wrote around diagetic music and sound design. Themes for the main character are discussed, as well as parts of The Queen's Gambit that feel like a sports movie.

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The Queen's Gambit: An Interview with Composer Carlos Rafael Rivera (Part I) Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

We meet and celebrate Carlos Rafael Rivera, the composer for the hit Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. His musical background and career rise are discussed, as well as his overall approach to working with directors. His love for Randy Newman and film music is also covered, and we begin our in-depth discussion of The Queen's Gambit's wonderful score.

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Cobra Kai Composing: An Interview with Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg (Part II) Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

In part II of our interview with Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg, we discuss the rock and metal influences in Cobra Kai's score. We also talk about their use of thematic material, musical humor, and the show's return to Okinawa.

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Cobra Kai Composing: An Interview with Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson (Part I) Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

We get a chance to sit down with Cobra Kai composers Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg, as they discuss their music, their process, and their love of film scoring. The various musical styles of the Karate Kid franchise are discussed, as well as their own unique take on this hit TV series.

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The Karate Kid (1984): the Music (Part II) Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

In our second episode on the music of Karate Kid, we take a close look at the music of Mr. Miyagi, the pan flute music of Zamfir, and how it tells the story of Miyagi and Daniel's friendship. More songs are discussed, and we hear restored music in the movie's dramatic finale for the very first time.

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The Karate Kid (1984): the Music (Part I) Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

The music in 1984's The Karate Kid is both song score and film score, and composer Bill Conti worked with both. We discover how the songs and underscore are musically related, and discuss how main character themes are woven throughout this musically eclectic movie. The history of "You're The Best" is discussed, as is the movie's dramatic finale.

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Home Alone: the Music (Part III) Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

We take a close listen to the end of Home Alone, breaking down how the music scores the comedy, and when it holds back. Diagetic songs and song scores are discussed, as is the recording of a large collection of Holiday hits. We hear how Williams uses themes to complete the story, bringing it all home with a feel-good conclusion.

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Home Alone: the Music (Part II) Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Let's hear it from the top! We take a close look at various parts of Home Alone to break down the compositions, and we examine a scene with omitted music restored. The use of popular Christmas music is discussed, as is the comedic effect of orchestration.

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Home Alone: the Music (Part I) Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

In our first look at John Williams' score for Home Alone, we discuss the background of the project, and how it greatly influenced the score. We listen to a few leitmotifs, and discuss how they became songs for the film, and we examine their use in the film. Broad styles of Holiday music are also discussed, as are themes of family, fear, and love.

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Superman: the Music (part IV) Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Our final episode on Superman the Movie takes a close look at the heroic music in Metropolis, as well as the unfolding villainy of Lex Luthor. The heavy use of Superman's fanfare leitmotif is discussed, and we share thoughts from John Williams about the lasting, positive impact of Christopher Reeve as Superman.

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