I Met Her on the Promenade - Music Score Review:
Review: A Masterclass in Electronic Melancholy
Music Composed, Performed and Produced by: Trev Hayward.
Original Score Copyright 2019 - Seventh Dream Ventures.
In the realm of modern electronic scoring, it is rare to find a work that feels as much like a heartbeat as it does a composition.
Trev Hayward’s I Met Her on the Promenade is a stunning achievement in atmospheric storytelling—a score that doesn’t just accompany the visuals but breathes alongside them.
A Symphony of Synth and Soul
The backbone of this score lies in its masterful juxtaposition of textures. Hayward utilizes heartbreaking piano motifs that feel lonely and exposed, echoing through the mix like memories of a conversation you can’t quite forget. These keys are cradled by lush synth strings that swell with a gentle, oceanic gravity.
Unlike many electronic scores that lean on cold, industrial tones, Hayward finds the warmth in the wires.
The result is:
* Tender: Every note feels intentional and soft to the touch.
* Restrained: Hayward understands the power of silence and "negative space," never over-composing or crowding the emotional beats.
* Beautiful: There is a shimmering, ethereal quality to the production that lingers long after the final track fades.
The Perfect Visual Anchor
What stands out most is the impeccable synergy between the music and the screen. The score acts as a ghost-like guide through the "Promenade," mirroring the rhythm of the cinematography with surgical precision. When the visuals lean into a moment of intimacy or isolation, the music retreats into a whisper; when the scope widens, the synth strings provide an expansive, cinematic embrace.
It is a rare feat to create an all-electronic score that feels this organic and human. Hayward has managed to translate the ache of a fleeting encounter into a sonic landscape that is, quite simply, flawless.
Final Verdict: I Met Her on the Promenade is a poignant reminder that synthesizers can carry as much emotional weight as a full orchestra. Trev Hayward has composed a delicate, haunting masterpiece.
Review by Emily Faulkner.
With thanks to Trev for the kind permission to feature his score.
Original Music © 2019 Trev Hayward.
Emily Faulkner's Top 20 Film Scores
Hey everyone!
Today I'm diving into something I'm incredibly passionate about: ‘Film Scores’.
For me, the music of a film is just as vital as the visuals, the acting, or the script. It's the emotional heartbeat, the unseen narrator, the thing that truly transports you.
So, after much deliberation, here are my top 20 favourite film scores, in no particular order, because honestly, picking a favourite is like choosing between your children!
The Classics & The Legends:
1. Star Wars: A New Hope (John Williams) Where else to begin? The moment that brass fanfare hits, you know you're in for an adventure. Williams didn't just write a score; he created a musical language for a galaxy far, far away. The Force theme, the Rebel Fanfare... pure cinematic magic.
2. The Empire Strikes Back (John Williams) If A New Hope set the stage, Empire deepened the mythology and the music. "The Imperial March" is iconic, but the emotional weight of "Yoda's Theme" and "Han Solo and the Princess" elevates this score to another level. It’s richer, darker, and more complex.
3. Titanic (James Horner) Okay, I know, it's a tearjerker, but you cannot deny the power of Horner's score. It's majestic, heartbreaking, and perfectly captures the grandeur and the tragedy. "My Heart Will Go On" is just one piece of a truly magnificent tapestry.
4. Jane Eyre (John Williams) Yes, John Williams again! But this isn't his usual blockbuster fare. His score for the 1970 film is understated, elegant, and deeply romantic. It perfectly evokes the brooding atmosphere and the passionate undertones of Brontë's novel. It’s a beautiful, often overlooked gem in his filmography.
5. Ghost Stories (Frank Ilfman) Moving to something more recent and wonderfully unsettling! Ilfman's score for Ghost Stories is genuinely chilling. It's not about jump scares; it's about building dread and unease with subtle orchestrations and unsettling textures. Brilliantly effective.
6. Out of Africa (John Barry) Oh, the sweeping romance! Barry's music for Out of Africa is as vast and beautiful as the African landscape it depicts. The main theme is instantly recognizable and conjures images of endless plains and poignant love. Absolutely breathtaking.
7. Blade Runner (Vangelis) A truly groundbreaking electronic score. Vangelis created a soundscape that is futuristic, melancholic, and utterly unique. It’s integral to the film's neo-noir atmosphere and makes you feel the rain and the longing of that dystopian Los Angeles.
8. Braveheart (James Horner) Another Horner masterpiece. This score is epic, heroic, and incredibly moving. The use of traditional Celtic instruments gives it an authentic feel, and those soaring melodies just make your heart ache and swell with courage.
9. Cinema Paradiso (Ennio Morricone) Morricone is a god amongst composers, and Cinema Paradiso is a testament to his genius. It's nostalgic, bittersweet, and utterly charming. Every note speaks of lost childhood, enduring friendship, and the magic of movies.
10. Interstellar (Hans Zimmer) Zimmer took us on an auditory journey through space and time. The organ music is powerful and almost spiritual, perfectly mirroring the film's grand themes of exploration, love, and humanity's future. It's monumental.
The Underrated & The Unforgettable:
11. The Secret of NIMH (Jerry Goldsmith) Here's my Jerry Goldsmith pick! Goldsmith was a master, and his score for this animated classic is rich, dark, and wonderfully adventurous. It's far more sophisticated than many animated film scores and adds incredible depth to the story. That main theme is just gorgeous.
12. Arrival (Jóhann Jóhannsson) Sparse, haunting, and incredibly intelligent. Jóhannsson’s score for Arrival isn't traditionally melodic, but it creates an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly complements the film's themes of communication and time. It stays with you long after the credits roll.
13. Atonement (Dario Marianelli) The typewriter motif in Atonement is brilliant – a percussive reminder of the act of writing and the irreversible consequences. Marianelli’s score is poignant, romantic, and tragic, perfectly intertwining with the film’s narrative.
14. Amelie (Yann Tiersen) Whimsical, charming, and utterly delightful. Tiersen's accordion-driven score is synonymous with the quirky magic of Amelie. It’s impossible not to smile when you hear those infectious melodies.
15. Spirited Away (Joe Hisaishi) Hisaishi is Miyazaki's musical soulmate, and the score for Spirited Away is a masterpiece. It's fantastical, ethereal, and deeply moving, perfectly capturing the wonder and occasional terror of the spirit world. "One Summer's Day" is pure bliss.
16. There Will Be Blood (Jonny Greenwood) An unsettling, dissonant, and utterly captivating score. Greenwood's music for There Will Be Blood is a character in itself, reflecting the greed, ambition, and isolation of Daniel Plainview. It's challenging but incredibly rewarding.
17. Forrest Gump (Alan Silvestri) Simple, sweet, and instantly iconic. Silvestri’s main theme for Forrest Gump perfectly embodies the character's gentle nature and the episodic journey of his life. It’s heartwarming and undeniably moving.
18. The Social Network (Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) Dark, atmospheric, and propulsive. Reznor and Ross created a modern classic that perfectly encapsulates the cold, driven, and often isolating world of tech genius and ambition. It's a sonic reflection of digital creation.
19. Gladiator (Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard) Epic, grand, and deeply emotional. Zimmer and Gerrard's collaboration on Gladiator is phenomenal. The blend of orchestral power with Gerrard’s haunting vocals creates a timeless sound that transports you to ancient Rome and the heart of Maximus's journey.
20. The Fellowship of the Ring (Howard Shore) Could I really end this list without it? Shore's monumental work for The Lord of the Rings saga is legendary, and Fellowship introduces us to the rich tapestry of themes for characters, places, and cultures. From the Shire's warmth to the ominous power of Mordor, it's a world brought to life through music.
Pretty good selection I think!
Emily Faulkner.
Film Score Mural Design by : AMYf.
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