The Silence of the Lambs (soundtrack)

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The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs (soundtrack).png
Film score by
ReleasedFebruary 5, 1991
Genre Film score
Length56:22
Label MCA
Producer Howard Shore
Howard Shore chronology
A Kiss Before Dying
(1991)
The Silence of the Lambs
(1991)
Naked Lunch
(1991)

The Silence of the Lambs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the 1991 horror film of the same name, directed by Jonathan Demme. The film's musical score is composed by Howard Shore, whose soundtrack was released under the MCA Records label in CD, LP and cassettes on February 5, 1991. The original release consisted of 13 tracks; an expanded edition which included previously unreleased material was released by Quartet Records on February 14, 2018.

Contents

Background

The musical score for The Silence of the Lambs was composed by Howard Shore in his maiden collaboration with Demme. Shore tried to write in a way which fits in the fabric of the film, adding "When you watch the movie you are not aware of the music. You get your feelings from all elements simultaneously, lighting, cinematography, costumes, acting, music." [1] Demme was specific about the film's music who provided valuable suggestions to Shore on constructing the musical score and sound. [1]

The score was recorded in Munich during the latter half of the summer of 1990, performed by the Munich Symphony Orchestra, [2] and Suzana Peric edited the musical score. [3] [4] While recording, Shore would score the film to the edit who appreciated Jodie Foster's performance, calling it as "fascinating". [1] He felt that the film's score benefitted from the collaboration between the music and sound design. [5]

Release

A soundtrack album consisting of 13 tracks was released by MCA Records on February 5, 1991. [2] An expanded edition of the score consisted of 25 tracks along with the standard edition album; 9 of them were not included in the original release, and a cue that was unused in the score and two alternative tracks. [6] It was released by Quartet Records on February 14, 2018. [6]

Music from the film was later used in the trailers for its 2001 sequel, Hannibal . [7]

Reception

Filmtracks.com wrote "You'll likely respect this score and appreciate its impact in the film, but most listeners will rarely revisit it on either of its unpleasant, oppressive albums." [8] According to critic Roger Ebert, "Howard Shore's mournful music sets a funereal tone." [9] Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote "Howard Shore’s rather traditional score outstandingly amplifies the tension and psychological mystery." [10] Scott Tobias of The Guardian described it as a "ominous yet subtly poignant score". [11]

Track listing

Standard edition

The Silence of the Lambs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) standard edition track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Main Title"5:04
2."The Asylum"3:53
3."Clarice"3:03
4."Return to the Asylum"2:35
5."The Abduction"3:01
6."Quid Pro Quo"4:41
7."Lecter in Memphis"5:41
8."Lambs Screaming"5:34
9."Lecter Escapes"5:06
10."Belvedere, Ohio"3:32
11."The Moth"2:20
12."The Cellar"7:02
13."Finale"4:50
Total length:56:22

Expanded edition

The Silence of the Lambs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) expanded edition track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Main Title"5:05
2."Bulletin Board"1:13
3."Visit to Lecter / You Look Like a Rube"4:01
4."Miggs"1:16
5."First Flashback / FBI Montage"2:10
6."Clarice" (film version)3:05
7."I'll Help You"1:12
8."The Abduction"3:03
9."West Virginia Car Ride"0:52
10."Rock of Ages Flashback"1:09
11."The Bug Cocoon / Washington"2:13
12."Death Head Moth"1:19
13."Quid Pro Quo, Yes or No"3:33
14."Lecter in Memphis"5:42
15."Lambs Screaming"5:36
16."Lecter Escapes"6:13
17."Laundromat"1:18
18."Belvedere, Ohio"3:33
19."To Calumet City"2:39
20."The Moth"2:20
21."The Cellar"7:02
22."Finale"4:51
23."Clarice"3:03
24."Death Head Moth" (alternate)0:57
25."Drops of Blood" ("Lecter Escapes" alternate excerpt)2:53
Total length:76:18

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes. [2]

Accolades

Accolades for The Silence of the Lambs (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
YearOrganizationAwardNomineeResultRef.
1991 British Academy Film Awards Best Film Music Howard Shore Nominated [12]

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References

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