My Week with Marilyn (soundtrack)

Last updated

My Week with Marilyn: Music from the Motion Picture
My Week with Marilyn (soundtrack).jpg
Film score by
Conrad Pope; main theme by Alexandre Desplat
Released8 November 2011
Recorded2011
Studio Abbey Road Studios
Genre Film score
Length58:40
Label Sony Classical
Producer Richard Glasser
Conrad Pope chronology
Grow Up Already
(2010)		My Week with Marilyn
(2011)		 Tim's Vermeer
(2013)

My Week with Marilyn: Music from the Motion Picture is the soundtrack to the 2011 drama film My Week with Marilyn released on 8 November 2011 by Sony Classical Records. The album mostly featured the cues from the original score composed by Conrad Pope, except for "Marilyn's Theme" by Alexandre Desplat. Desplat co-wrote most of the themes with Pope, while also featured excerpts from the music of 1950s and 1960s, few of them being digitally re-mastered for the film. Chinese pianist Lang Lang performed few tracks along with Williams who sang "I Found a Dream", "That Old Black Magic" and a medley of "When Love Goes Wrong, Nothing Goes Right" and "Heat Wave". [1]

Contents

Background

Alexandre Desplat wrote the main theme for the film, "Marilyn's Theme", for the producer Harvey Weinstein, and thereafter Desplat asked Pope to adapt the theme as well as composing the remaining score for the film, though he would share the writing credits. [2] He wanted to convey and contrast the music of the 1950's Hollywood as well as depicting the innocence of Marilyn Monroe. On the other side, the film also featured an exotic music, which includes music for big band, exotica, and very English music for Colin Clark. [3]

The first concept for the score was to have a piano with few big band moments taking an almost Summer of '42 approach. Following Weinstein's call, he wanted to do a "more sweeping, cinematic approach". To replicate the old school period, he asked sound engineer Pete Cobbin to use microphones from 1948 in recording several cues. He intended to duplicate the harmonic feel of the period, while some of the source music and vocals might considered emblematic of the golden era. On reflecting the 1950s jazz music, Pope needed to "convey the energy, sense of newness and possibility that Clark feels in the film, and whole big band vibe seemed to fit the visuals as well as the story". [4] While Michelle Williams performed "I Found a Dream", the underscore blends with orchestral accompaniment of the song keeping with the 1950s tight voicing of the strings. Another challenge the team faced is that they had to match Williams's performance that was recorded separately as a solo performance.[ citation needed ]

The score was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London, with Pope conducting the orchestra, and pianist Lang Lang playing the main theme. [2]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Marilyn's Theme"Desplat Lang Lang 1:48
2."'When Love Goes Wrong, Nothin' Goes Right' & 'Heat Wave'"
 Michelle Williams 2:10
3."Colin Runs Off to the Circus"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 3:02
4."Colin Joins the Circus/Mr. Jacobs"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 2:06
5."Driving Through Pinewood"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
Lang0:48
6."Paparazzi"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
Lang2:55
7."Colin and Vivian"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 1:28
8."Memories Are Made of This" (2000 digital remaster)
Martin2:19
9."Rushes"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 1:28
10."Lucy"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 0:47
11."Uno, Dos, Tres"
  • Indart
  • Alvarez
Tropicana Orchestra2:46
12."Arthur and Marilyn"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 2:12
13."Marilyn Alone"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
Lang1:41
14."Arthur's Notebook"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 2:17
15."Vivian Screens Marilyn"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 1:38
16."The Getaway"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 1:46
17."You Stepped Out of a Dream" Gus Kahn Nat King Cole 2:39
18."Eton Schoolyard"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 1:20
19."Autumn Leaves" (2005 remastered) Johnny Mercer Cole2:44
20."Overdose"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 3:31
21."Colin's Heartbreak"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 1:49
22."Colin and Marilyn"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 3:08
23."It's a Wrap, I Found a Dream"
  • Williams
  • Lang
2:38
24."Such Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
 3:37
25."Remembering Marilyn"
  • Pope
  • Desplat
Lang3:19
26."That Old Black Magic"MercerWilliams2:44
Total length:58:40

Reception

Rodrigo Perez of The Playlist wrote "Musically, 'Marilyn' is problematic as well to the point of distraction. While Alexandre Desplat does provide the lovely theme, Conrad Pope takes the composing center stage, mostly filling the drama with "isn't this all so delightful?" musical cues. Of course there's also, "isn't this sad?" and "isn't this a dreadfully serious pickle we've gotten ourselves into?" but none of these motifs do the film any favors." [5]

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic. [6]

Album credits
Performer credits

Related Research Articles

<i>Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone</i> (soundtrack) 2001 soundtrack album by John Williams

The soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released on 30 October 2001. The film's score was composed and conducted by John Williams. The soundtrack was nominated for Best Original Score at the 74th Academy Awards. The film introduces many character-specific themes (leitmotifs) that are used in at least one sequel as well, although most of the themes are only used again in Chamber of Secrets. These themes include two themes for Voldemort, two themes for Hogwarts, a Diagon Alley theme, a Quidditch theme, a flying theme, two friendship themes, and the main theme. This main theme was reprised and developed in all eight of the main Harry Potter films, as well as the spinoff films Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequels, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

<i>Jurassic Park</i> (film score) 1993 film score by John Williams

Jurassic Park: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the film score to the 1993 Steven Spielberg film of the same name, composed and conducted by John Williams. Alexander Courage, John Neufeld, Conrad Pope, Aimee Vereecke and Dennis Dreith served as orchestrators.

<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1</i> (soundtrack) 2010 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 is a motion picture soundtrack to the 2010 film of the same name, composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat. The soundtrack was nominated for the 2010 IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Fantasy Film and the 2010 Satellite Award for Best Original Score.

Conrad Pope is an American composer and orchestrator. He has worked on numerous films and has collaborated with composers such as John Williams, James Newton Howard, Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, Mark Isham, James Horner, John Powell, Alexandre Desplat, and Howard Shore.

<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2</i> (soundtrack) 2011 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is a motion picture soundtrack to the 2011 film of the same name composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat. The soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy Award, Satellite Award, Houston Film Critics Society Award, Denver Film Critics Society Award, and an IFMCA Award for Best Original Score for a Fantasy Film. The soundtrack won the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Score.

<i>Rogue One</i> (soundtrack) 2016 soundtrack album by Michael Giacchino

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the soundtrack album to the 2016 film Rogue One directed by Gareth Edwards, which is the first instalment in the Star Wars anthology series. Originally, Alexandre Desplat was hired for the film score but was replaced by Michael Giacchino during the film's post-production. Giacchino scored the film within a span of the month, despite the tight schedule, and had incorporated John Williams' themes from previous Star Wars films into the score, having minor elements, while most of the themes were newly composed. The soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on December 16, 2016, coinciding with the film's theatrical release.

<i>Little Women</i> (soundtrack) 2019 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Little Women: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the score album composed by Alexandre Desplat for the 2019 American film Little Women. A seventh film adaptation of the 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott, the film is directed by Greta Gerwig, and stars an ensemble cast consisting of Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, and Chris Cooper. The original score album was released by Sony Music on December 13, 2019.

<i>Moonrise Kingdom</i> (soundtrack) 2012 soundtrack album by Various artists

Moonrise Kingdom (Original Soundtrack) is the accompanying soundtrack album for the identically named 2012 coming-of-age comedy-drama film released on May 15, 2012 through ABKCO Records. The soundtrack album featured original compositions from Alexandre Desplat and supplemented existing music by Benjamin Britten, as well as classical songs from Hank Williams, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Schubert and Françoise Hardy. Both Anderson and Randall Poster compiled the film's soundtrack.

<i>The Shape of Water</i> (soundtrack) 2017 soundtrack album by Alexandre Desplat

The Shape of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the Academy Award-winning film of the same name. It featured 26 tracks — most of the tracks were from the original score composed by Alexandre Desplat and some tracks are incorporated songs, being originated from the 1940s and 1960s as the film is set during the Cold War period. The film, directed by Guillermo del Toro, who also co-wrote the script with Vanessa Taylor, stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer.

<i>The Secret Life of Pets</i> (soundtrack) 2016 film score by Alexandre Desplat

The Secret Life of Pets (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2016 film of the same name. The film's music is scored by Alexandre Desplat and released on July 1, 2016 by Back Lot Music. The music consisted of jazz, classical and orchestral pieces, which Desplat described the musical style as "George Gershwin meets Miles Davis". The score received positive critical response.

<i>The Kings Speech</i> (soundtrack) 2010 film score by Alexandre Desplat

The King's Speech (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the Academy Award-winning film The King's Speech, released by Decca Records on 22 November 2010. Alexandre Desplat composed the film's original music. The score consisted of minimalistic sounds created with piano and strings, and a limited orchestra with oboe and harp being used. It was recorded using old microphones from the EMI archives, used by the royal family, in order to create a vintage and dated sound. The minimalistic use of the music is used to describe Colin Firth's character, the future King George VI.

<i>Nightmare Alley</i> (soundtrack) 2021 film score by Nathan Johnson

Nightmare Alley: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the 2021 film of the same name directed by Guillermo del Toro. The film's music was initially set to be composed by Alexandre Desplat, but was replaced by Nathan Johnson, after Desplat exited the film due to scheduling conflicts. Johnson completed the film's score within six weeks, where the score was recorded at the Newman Scoring Stage in 20th Century Studios and was released by Hollywood Records digitally on December 17, 2021 and a physical release on December 31, 2021.

<i>Rise of the Guardians</i> (soundtrack) 2012 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Rise of the Guardians: Music From The Motion Picture is the score album to the 2012 of the same name, composed by Alexandre Desplat. The film marked Desplat's maiden score for a computer-animated film as well as his DreamWorks' film, not to be scored by or have any involvement from either Hans Zimmer or his Remote Control Productions family of composers. The score was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and AIR Studios in London and features collaborations with London Symphony Orchestra and London Voices performing. In addition to Desplat's score, an original song "Still Dream" written by the film's screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire and performed by soprano singer Renée Fleming, was featured in the film's end credits. Both Desplat's score and Fleming's original song was included in the film's score album, released by Varèse Sarabande on November 13, 2012 and received positive response praising Desplat's compositions.

<i>Kung Fu Panda 3</i> (soundtrack) 2016 film score by Hans Zimmer

Kung Fu Panda 3 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2016 film Kung Fu Panda 3, the third instalment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise and the sequel to Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011). The film score is composed by Hans Zimmer, who scored the previous instalments with John Powell, but the latter did not return for the third instalment, thereby Zimmer being credited as the sole composer for the franchise. The album was released by Sony Classical Records on January 29, 2016, to positive critical response.

<i>The Ides of March</i> (soundtrack) 2011 film score by Alexandre Desplat

The Ides of March (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album to the 2011 film The Ides of March directed by George Clooney. The film score is composed by Alexandre Desplat, who would later collaborate with Clooney on his other directorial ventures, The Monuments Men (2014), Suburbicon (2017) and The Midnight Sky (2020). The score was released by Varèse Sarabande on September 27, 2011.

<i>The Danish Girl</i> (soundtrack) 2015 soundtrack album by Alexandre Desplat

The Danish Girl (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album composed by Alexandre Desplat for the 2015 film The Danish Girl. It was released by Decca Records on 27 November 2015, the same day as the film’s theatrical release in the United States.

<i>Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close</i> (soundtrack) 2011 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2011 film of the same name directed by Stephen Daldry, released by WaterTower Music on December 20, 2011. Featuring an original score composed by Alexandre Desplat and piano themes performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet, he was brought as a replacement to the original composer Nico Muhly. The score received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Suburbicon</i> (soundtrack) 2017 film score by Alexandre Desplat

Suburbicon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2018 film Suburbicon directed by George Clooney and featured musical score composed by Alexandre Desplat. The film is Clooney's third collaboration with Desplat after The Ides of March (2011) and The Monuments Men (2014). ABKCO Records distributed the soundtrack and released day-and-date with the film on October 27, 2017.

<i>The Monuments Men</i> (soundtrack) 2014 film score by Alexandre Desplat

The Monuments Men (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2014 film The Monuments Men directed by George Clooney. The film's musical score is composed by Alexandre Desplat and consists of a huge symphonic orchestral score, recorded within a short span of time. It was released through Sony Classical Records on February 4, 2014 to critical acclaim.

<i>Fantastic Mr. Fox</i> (soundtrack) 2009 soundtrack album by Alexandre Desplat and various artists

Fantastic Mr. Fox is the soundtrack to the 2009 film Fantastic Mr. Fox directed by Wes Anderson. The film's soundtrack featured a selection of songs from The Beach Boys, The Bobby Fuller Four, Burl Ives, Georges Delerue, The Rolling Stones, and other artists. An original score composed by Alexandre Desplat accompanied the remainder of the album. ABKCO Records released the soundtrack on November 10, 2009, three days ahead of the film. Desplat was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score and BAFTA Award for Best Original Music for his work in the film.

References

  1. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (25 October 2011). "Michelle Williams Sings On 'My Week With Marilyn' Soundtrack; Also Dean Martin, Nat King Cole & More". indieWire . SnagFilms. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  2. 1 2 Symkus, Ed. "Director tackles the myth of Marilyn Monroe". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Conrad Pope's week with Marilyn". Classic FM. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Composer Interview: Conrad Pope spends time with MY WEEK WITH MARILYN - Assignment X". December 10, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Review: A Slight & Superficial 'My Week With Marilyn' Often Resembles A Lifetime Movie". theplaylist.net. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ My Week with Marilyn [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - Conrad Pope, Alexandre Desplat | Credits | AllMusic , retrieved April 18, 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.