Oz the Great and Powerful (soundtrack)

Last updated

Oz the Great and Powerful (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
OzTheGreatandPowerfulAlbumCover.jpg
Film score by
ReleasedMarch 5, 2013 (2013-03-05)
Recorded2012–2013
Studio Sony Scoring Stage
Genre Film score
Length1:05:19
Label Walt Disney
Producer Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman chronology
Promised Land
(2012)
Oz the Great and Powerful
(2013)
Epic
(2013)

Oz the Great and Powerful (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2013 film of the same name, produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and featured musical score composed by Danny Elfman. The score was recorded at Sony Scoring Stage and the album featured 27 tracks with a promotional single titled "Almost Home" performed by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. The soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on March 5, 2013, [1] [2] followed by a physical CD release in association with Intrada Records on March 26.

Contents

Development

In June 2011, composer Danny Elfman was chosen to score for Oz the Great and Powerful, in his fifth collaboration with Raimi on Darkman (1990), A Simple Plan (1998), Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 2 (2004). [3] It also marked Elfman's re-union with Raimi, [4] as due to their creative differences on scoring Spider-Man 2 Elfman decided not to collaborate with Raimi on his forthcoming projects, this meant that Elfman did not compose for the third instalment Spider-Man 3 . [5] He noted that the film's score was accessibly quick to produce, with a majority of the music being written in six weeks. [6] Regarding the tonal quality of the score, Elfman stated, "We're going to take an approach that's old school but not self-consciously old-fashioned. Let the melodrama be melodrama, let everything be what it is. I also think there's the advantage that I'm able to write narratively, and when I'm able to write narratively I can also move quicker because that's my natural instincts, I can tell a story in the music." [7] Elfman did not adapt any of the musical influences from The Wizard of Oz (1939), despite having pop-culture references "visually and musically". Raimi insisted Elfman, that the team were working on L. Frank Baum's early 20th century Oz novels and not from the film. He decided to create a "fresh music for the setting", but also wanted to pay homage to the 1939 film. [8]

American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey recorded a promotional single called "Almost Home" written by Carey, Simone Porter, Justin Gray, Lindsey Ray, Tor Erik Hermansen, and Mikkel Eriksen (a.k.a. Stargate) for the soundtrack of the film. [9] [10] The song was recorded at February 6, 2013 at New York City at Roc The Mic Studios. [11] In a statement, Carey said that the song has "a message that works beautifully with the film. It's a feel-good record; it gives you the feeling of reaching your home and being with people that you love." [12] The single was released on February 19, 2013, by Island Records, despite being leaked a day before. [13] [14]

Track listing

All music is composed by Danny Elfman

No.TitleLength
1."Main Titles"2:57
2."A Serious Talk"2:23
3."Oz Revealed"1:58
4."A Strange World"1:48
5."Where Am I? / Schmooze-a-Witch"2:05
6."Fireside Dance"1:19
7."Meeting Finley"1:57
8."The Emerald Palace"0:47
9."Treasure Room / Monkey Business"2:56
10."China Town"3:07
11."A Con Job"1:47
12."Glinda Revealed"1:43
13."The Munchkin Welcome Song"0:41
14."Bad Witch"4:32
15."The Bubble Voyage"2:48
16."Great Expectations / The Apple"4:58
17."Meeting the Troops"1:18
18."What Army"0:29
19."Theodora's Entrance / Puppet Waltz"1:51
20."A Threat"2:07
21."Bedtime / The Preparation Montage"7:00
22."Call to Arms"2:13
23."Destruction"2:38
24."Oz the Great and Powerful"1:25
25."Fireworks / Witch Fight"1:39
26."Time for Gifts"5:54
27."End Credits from Oz"1:59
Total length:1:06:19

Reception

Gregory Heaney of AllMusic wrote "the score of Oz the Great and Powerful feels like an avenue of escape for dreamers looking for something to break up the monotony of their humdrum days, and while it might lack the catchy musical numbers of its predecessor, it's nevertheless a solid outing from Elfman." [15] Filmtracks.com wrote "Oz the Great and Powerful is one of those great ambient listening experiences in the genre that doesn't stand up to focused analysis upon a closer look. For many listeners, such details won't matter, but that is what distinguishes a solid, workmanlike score from one destined to be a classic." [16] A review from Beyond the Marquee stated "Of particularly high merit are the delicate emotional chords of Oscar’s character arc from con man to wizard hero.  Luckily the emotional range missing from Franco’s performance is conveyed in the nuance of Elfman’s leitmotif.  This would be even better had Franco’s acting skills matched the melodies in quality but, to quote comedian Steven Wright, 'you can’t have everything… where would you put it?'" [17] ClassicFM wrote "Danny Elfman's soundtrack gets off to a fantastically glitzy start, with orchestral and choral bombast to spare - perfect vintage Hollywood fare. Another corking soundtrack from one of the modern masters of the genre." [18]

Personnel

Credits adapted from CD liner notes [19]

Musicians
Orchestra and choir
Production

Awards

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient and nomineesResult
BMI Film & TV Awards [20] April 13, 2014Film Music Danny Elfman Won
Georgia Film Critics Association [21] January 8, 2014Best Original Song"Almost Home" – Mariah Carey Nominated
Saturn Awards June 2014 Best Music Danny Elfman Nominated
World Soundtrack Awards [22] October 27, 2014 Film Composer of the Year Danny Elfman Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Elfman</span> American composer (born 1953)

Daniel Robert Elfman is an American film composer, singer, songwriter, and musician. He came to prominence as the lead singer and primary songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s. Since scoring his first studio film in 1985, Elfman has garnered international recognition for composing over 100 feature film scores, as well as compositions for television, stage productions, and the concert hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Raimi</span> American filmmaker (born 1959)

Samuel M. Raimi is an American film director, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for directing the first three films in the Evil Dead franchise (1981–present) and the Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007). He also directed the superhero Darkman (1990), the revisionist western The Quick and the Dead (1995), the neo-noir crime-thriller A Simple Plan (1998), the supernatural thriller The Gift (2000), the supernatural horror Drag Me to Hell (2009), the Disney fantasy Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and the Marvel Studios film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oingo Boingo</span> American new wave band

Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band formed by songwriter Danny Elfman in 1979. The band emerged from a surrealist musical theatre troupe, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, that Elfman had led and written material for in the years previous. Their highest-charting song, "Weird Science", reached No. 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Spider-Man 3</i> 2007 superhero film directed by Sam Raimi

Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. Produced by Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios, and Laura Ziskin Productions, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it was directed by Sam Raimi from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother Ivan and Alvin Sargent. It is the third and final installment in Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and the sequel to Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 2 (2004). The film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, alongside Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, James Cromwell, Rosemary Harris, and J. K. Simmons. It also marks the final film appearance of Cliff Robertson before his retirement in the same year and his subsequent death in 2011.

<i>Spider-Man</i> (score) 2002 film score by Danny Elfman

Spider-Man: Original Motion Picture Score is the soundtrack for the 2002 film Spider-Man directed by Sam Raimi. It was released on June 4, 2002. The score combines traditional orchestration, ethnic percussion and electronic elements. Its distinct ethnic characteristics are credited to its composer, Danny Elfman, who spent a year in Africa studying its unique percussive variety. A cassette and CD release of the score came out from Sony's label.

<i>Oz the Great and Powerful</i> 2013 fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi

Oz the Great and Powerful is a 2013 American fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner from a story by Kapner. Based on L. Frank Baum's early 20th century Oz books and set 20 years before the events of the original 1900 novel, the film is a spiritual prequel to the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz. Starring James Franco in the title role, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King, William Bock, and Tony Cox, the film tells the story of Oscar Diggs, a deceptive magician who arrives in the Land of Oz and encounters three witches: Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda. Oscar is then enlisted to restore order in Oz while struggling to resolve conflicts with the witches and himself.

Frankenweenie: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the film score for the Disney film, Frankenweenie by Danny Elfman, was released September 25, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almost Home (Mariah Carey song)</span> 2013 single by Mariah Carey

"Almost Home" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It is the main track from the 2013 Walt Disney Pictures film Oz the Great and Powerful. Commissioned by Disney, Simone Porter, Justin Gray, and Lindsey Ray wrote the bulk of the record. When Carey signed on to sing the song, she and Stargate's Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen would later change it a bit and ultimately, complete it. On February 6, 2013, it was announced that Mariah Carey had recorded the song for the Disney film with production team Stargate, and that it would be released through digital download on February 19, 2013.

Select commercially released recordings of Danny Elfman's music for film, television, stage and the concert hall. For a full list of Elfman's compositions, see List of compositions by Danny Elfman. For Elfman's recordings as lead singer/songwriter for Oingo Boingo, see the Oingo Boingo discography page.

<i>Music for a Darkened Theatre: Film & Television Music Volume One</i> 1990 compilation album by Danny Elfman

Music for a Darkened Theatre: Film & Television Music Volume One is a compilation album of select film scores and television themes written by American composer Danny Elfman from the early 1980s to 1990.

<i>Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness</i> (soundtrack) 2022 film score by Danny Elfman

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the Marvel Studios film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness composed by Danny Elfman. The soundtrack album was released by Hollywood Records on May 4, 2022.

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Dr. Seuss' The Grinch: Original Motion Picture Score are the albums released for the 2018 computer-animated Christmas fantasy comedy film The Grinch, released alongside the film, on November 9, 2018, by Columbia Records and Back Lot Music. The film score is composed by Danny Elfman, which consisted of 25 tracks. The soundtrack album consisted of 13 tracks, performed by several artists, including a re-created version of the Christmas song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Elfman and rapper Tyler, the Creator, released on October 24. Tyler also produced his debut extended play based on songs from the film, titled Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, and released by Columbia Records on November 16.

<i>Alice in Wonderland</i> (film score) 2010 film score by Danny Elfman

Alice in Wonderland (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack) is the score album to the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland directed by Tim Burton and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, which is a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1951 film and re-imagining of Lewis Carroll's works. The film's original score is composed by Danny Elfman, a regular collaborator of Burton.

<i>Maleficent</i> (soundtrack) 2014 film score by James Newton Howard

Maleficent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album composed by James Newton Howard for the 2014 film Maleficent, based on the Disney villain character Maleficent from the animated film Sleeping Beauty (1959). The film is a live-action spin-off of Sleeping Beauty, and is loosely inspired from Charles Perrault's original fairy tale. Directed by Robert Stromberg, the film stars Angelina Jolie in the titular character.

<i>The BFG</i> (soundtrack) 2016 film score by John Williams

The BFG (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album for the 2016 film of the same name, directed by Steven Spielberg. It featured a musical score composed by Spielberg's regular collaborator John Williams and was released on July 1, 2016 (the same date as the film's release) by Walt Disney Records.

<i>Mr. Peabody & Sherman</i> (soundtrack) 2014 film score by Danny Elfman

Mr. Peabody & Sherman: Music from the Motion Picture is the score album composed by Danny Elfman for the 2014 film of the same name. The soundtrack was released by Relativity Music Group on March 3, 2014. Peter Andre wrote and performed for the film a song titled "Kid", which is played during the British version of the end credits, instead of Grizfolk's "Way Back When". But unlike the latter, the former was not included in the soundtrack.

<i>Rise of the Planet of the Apes</i> (soundtrack) 2011 film score by Patrick Doyle

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the score album to the 2011 film Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a reboot of the Planet of the Apes film franchise. The film's original score is composed by Patrick Doyle, and was released by Varèse Sarabande on August 9, 2011.

The music to the 2011 science fiction sports drama film Real Steel directed by Shawn Levy, featured a compilation of songs by popular artists as heard in the film and an album that contains the original score written and composed by Danny Elfman. The first album, Real Steel – Music from the Motion Picture, was released on October 4, 2011 by Interscope Records. It consists of 13 tracks featuring artists including Foo Fighters, Tom Morello, Eminem, Royce da 5'9", The Crystal Method, Yelawolf, 50 Cent and Limp Bizkit. Elfman's score that featured over 17 tracks, was released into a separate album as Real Steel – Original Score on November 8, 2011 by Varèse Sarabande.

<i>Milk</i> (soundtrack) 2008 soundtrack album by Danny Elfman

Milk (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2008 film of the same name, featuring musical score composed by Danny Elfman and a selection of contemporary pop hits. The album was released on November 18, 2008 through Decca Records to critical acclaim and received nominations at various ceremonies, including an Academy Award nomination.

References

  1. "Oz the Great and Powerful: Soundtrack". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  2. "Intrada and Walt Disney Records to Release Danny Elfman's 'Oz the Great and Powerful' Score". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  3. Lyttelton, Oliver (June 20, 2011). "Danny Elfman Makes Peace With Sam Raimi To Score 'Oz The Great and Powerful'". IndieWire. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  4. Chitwood, Adam (June 20, 2011). "Danny Elfman to Score Sam Raimi's OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL; In Talks for THE HUNGER GAMES". Collider. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. Faraci, Devin; Epstein, Daniel Robert (October 13, 2005). "Elfman vs. Raimi: Round II". Chud.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  6. McIntyre, Gina (January 29, 2013). "'Oz': Teaser, character posters hint at Sam Raimi's lavish vision". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  7. McIntyre, Gina (January 10, 2013). "Composing wizard Danny Elfman talks sweeping, gigantic 'Oz' score". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  8. "Danny Elfman interview: Oz, Sam Raimi, Burton, Batman & more". Den of Geek. March 18, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  9. Clark, Cindy (February 6, 2013). "Mariah Carey Records Song for Oz". USA Today . Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  10. "Updated Release: Global Superstar Mariah Carey Records 'Almost Home' For Disney's 'Oz The Great and Powerful'" (Press release). Walt Disney Pictures via Reuters. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  11. Halperin, Shirley (February 16, 2013). "Mariah Carey to Release New Song on Tuesday (Exclusive Audio)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. Siegel, Tatiana (February 6, 2013). "Mariah Carey Adds Track to Disney's 'Oz The Great and Powerful'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  13. "Almost Home - Single by Mariah Carey". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  14. Anderson, Kyle (February 18, 2013). "Mariah Carey's new single 'Almost Home': Hear it here". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  15. Danny Elfman Oz the Great and Powerful [Original Soundtrack] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved May 27, 2022
  16. "Filmtracks: Oz the Great and Powerful (Danny Elfman)". www.filmtracks.com. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  17. "OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL SCORE (Soundtrack Review) | BEYOND THE MARQUEE" . Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  18. "Danny Elfman: Oz The Great And Powerful - an album guide". Classic FM. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  19. Danny Elfman - Oz The Great And Powerful, February 19, 2013, retrieved May 27, 2022
  20. "Event | 2013 BMI Film & TV Awards". BMI.com. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  21. "Georgia Film Critics Association 2013 Awards" . Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  22. Chagollan, Steve (October 27, 2014). "Alexandre Desplat Proves a Perennial Fave at Ghent's World Soundtrack Awards". Variety. Retrieved May 27, 2022.