In which we talk about writing music

Saturday, April 17, 2010
From time to time the topic wanders to writing music. It could also be knitting music or painting music or music to detail your car by, I suppose. Some of you have offered great suggestions--much appreciated!--and some of you have been interested in what is hanging around my ipod. I always lay in a supply of new music for each book. I mix it with some of my old favorites. (The soundtrack to "Last of the Mohicans" is superb writing music.) Last week I ordered a few new CDs to add to the mix. Here's what just got loaded onto the ipod:

*"Pride and Prejudice: Music from the Motion Picture". I was watching the movie with Keira Knightley the other day and it suddenly occurred to me that I had entirely overlooked getting my hands on the soundtrack--something I rarely do when it comes to Jane Austen movies.

*Sherlock Holmes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Not all of the tracks will work because some of them are very fast-paced, but the music is interesting and would make a superb background for writing an action scene.

*"Becoming Jane: Original Score". Lovely.

*"Brideshead Revisited: Original Score". I haven't yet seen the film--my loss, I'm sure, as I love Emma Thompson--but the soundtrack is superb. A little sad, which is sometimes just right for working.

I also bought several tracks by ES Posthumus. You'll recognize lots of their music as movie trailer pieces that are superb, but seldom featured on the actual soundtrack. This was a reader recommendation, and a fabulous one.

And you? Any new gloriousness to share? Share this

Comments

Music to study by

Jayelem's picture
Submitted by Jayelem on Fri, 05/07/2010 - 8:45am.

Finding the right music to study/read/write to is a tricky thing. Personally I don't like anything too tranquil - there has to be sufficient movement else I get bored and sleepy. Here are a couple of my favourites:

Jacques Loussier Trio - a beautiful jazz trio playing bach, satie, handel, etc. I usually listen to the "Air on a G string" cd. Classical enough to be serene and emotive, jazzy enough to make the corners of your mouth twitch.

Avishai Cohen - A jazz bassist. Firstly, from his trio cd "Continuum", the song "Calm" is the most aptly named song in my entire collection. But recently I've been listening to his solo cd, Aurora, which I love as there are melancholy songs, and slightly medieval sounding songs, in spanish, in hebrew... good when you need something which isn't bright and shiney.

Soundtrack from "Dances with

Submitted by Vee R. (not verified) on Tue, 04/27/2010 - 11:57am.

Soundtrack from "Dances with Wolves". I first heard it in our partially completed home in Mexico. First time seeing the house, first time hearing the music. I danced with the sawdust.

Late to the table, but I must

Submitted by Vicki (not verified) on Sat, 04/24/2010 - 8:14pm.

Late to the table, but I must suggest the soundtrack to the film The Fountain. I had mixed feelings about the film, but fell completely in love with the mesmerizing music. It is incredibly emotional and truly lovely.

I recommend "Solo Piano for

Submitted by Cindy (not verified) on Sat, 04/24/2010 - 6:42pm.

I recommend "Solo Piano for Peace" by Louis Landon - quiet, peaceful piano music, no vocals, the kind of thing you might play while getting a massage. I'm not sure it fits the time frame of the Julia Grey books, but I find it to be great background music while working - it creates an atmosphere without being distracting (no birds chirping, etc, like you sometimes get in massage type new age music).

Having just listened to a few

Submitted by Anna (not verified) on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 8:12pm.

Having just listened to a few clips of the E S Posthumus, I'd recommend Dead Can Dance, maybe some Air, and the soundtrack to The Mission. Actually, any Ennio Morricone. Currently in heavy rotation for me are La Rocca's "OK Okay", Mumford & Sons self-titled, and Florence and the Machine's "Lungs." But those aren't instrumental.Happy writing!

E.S. Posthumus was my

Submitted by Farin (not verified) on Sun, 04/18/2010 - 8:47am.

E.S. Posthumus was my recommendation! I'm so glad you like them! I just downloaded the Cartographer choral remix C.D., and it's fantastic. Did you order their newest release? I remember you saying something about wanting to order the soundtrack to Gosford Park but that the vocal tracks deterred you. If a fan burning only the instrumental tracks for you doesn't seem like too creepy of an idea, let me know!

The soundtrack for Mel

Submitted by Jennifer (not verified) on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 9:47pm.

The soundtrack for Mel Gibson's HAMLET is incredible! Ditto on P & P and Last of the Mohicans! Enya's soundtrack for The Celts is outstanding. Another one I love to listen to is not a soundtrack, and a little more contemporary, but there is such poignancy and sadness is some songs and an unearthly optimism in others - Suzanne Ciani's "Pianissimo". I highly recommend it.

Brideshead Revisited -- get

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 8:30pm.

Brideshead Revisited -- get the original public television series (Jeremy Irons) instead of the recent movie. The story cannot be told in an hour and a half. If you have not read the book the shorter version movie will be very confusing. The original series is about eight wonderful hours. The music is wonderful and Jeremy Irons voice narrating throughout is haunting and soothing at the same time.

It's not new, but the sound

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 3:39pm.

It's not new, but the sound track to Little Women is one of my favorites.Lynn

Hi Deanna, the soundtrack to

Submitted by Honeybee (not verified) on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 2:09pm.

Hi Deanna, the soundtrack to EMMA is just superb!

Soundtrack from The Mission

Submitted by Elaine (not verified) on Sat, 04/17/2010 - 10:51am.

Soundtrack from The Mission lives in my office.