Show Notes
What is the sound of Papal Rome? Matthew Sweet explores the music of films set in and influenced by the Vatican. From Morricone's melancholy oboe in The Mission to Hans Zimmer's massed choirs and menacing strings in Angels & Demons. Nino Rota's score for The Godfather Part III exquisitely demonstrates both the pageantry of the Catholic Church and Michael Corleone's personal feelings of guilt in the film. Meanwhile, the solo guitar highlights the intimacy between the two protagonists in Bryce Dessner's score for the gripping biographical drama The Two Popes, highlighting the intimacy between the popes of the film's title. The Vatican has even issued a list of films it deems important so we'll hear the music that they're recommending, such as On The Waterfront, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Wizard of Oz. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”
More from Sound of Cinema
To mark the latest release in the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth, Matthew Sweet looks at music for films set in prehistoric times, or that feature dinosaurs in a modern setting.
Matthew Sweet talks to film editor, sound designer and director Walter Murch about working on Apocalypse Now, the Godfather films, The Conversation, Barton Fink and Return to Oz
Matthew Sweet is on the hunt for mythical creatures on the big screen. Tune in to escape reality, as we explore film music that transports you to fantastical worlds; from Middle-earth with Howard Shore’s beloved music for The Hobbit, to ancient Greece with Leonard Rosenthal's epic score for Clash of the Titans. Our final destination is the Isle of Berk, the Viking setting of How To Train Your Dragon - the live action remake, scored by John Powell, is released in cinemas this week. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”
Matthew Sweet looks at unusual instruments used in film scores such as the Cristal Baschet which is a favourite of Cliff Martinez in scores such as Drive. He considers the use of unusual technology such as the Blaster Beam used by Jerry Goldsmith in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. He traces the development of electronics in film music, from 'electronic tonalities' in Forbidden Planet, to the Moog synthesiser in A Clockwork Orange, and the later use of the Chamberlin by Jon Brion in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. We hear unusual instruments in the scores of blockbusters such as Casino Royale (David Arnold), Sherlock Holmes and Dune (Hans Zimmer). And Matthew's Classic Score of the Week, Spellbound by Miklós Rózsa, features the Theremin. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”
Matthew Sweet dials in, with a playlist of film music inspired by a phone call. Hold the line for classics including Scream, The Conversation and Dial M for Murder. Also featuring Bear McCreary’s score for our featured new release, Drop. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”