Elegy | Definition of Elegy by Merriam-Webster 1 : a poem in elegiac couplets. 2 a : a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation especially for one who is dead b : something (as a speech) resembling such a song or poem. 3 a : a pensive or reflective poem that is usually nostalgic or melancholy b : a short pensive musical composition.
Using the above as a spirit guide, what rises and shimmers in my memory are:
1. “Sorrow” by Herrmann from “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” – and almost any other cue from that score 2. “Theme from Seance on a Wet Afternoon” by Barry 3. “Days of Wine and Roses” – both with and without vocal – by Mancini 4. “Goodbye My Life, My Love - End Title” by North from “Spartacus” 5. “Moon and Main Title” from “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” by North 6. “Reunion and End Titles” from “A Walk with Love and Death” by Delerue 7. “L'America Di Jill” by Morricone from “Once Upon a Time in the West” 8. “Hollywood and the Stars” by Bernstein from the TV Series of the same name. 9. Many of Rozsa’s scores are drenched in these sad and pensive emotions. 10. “Theme from The Conversation” by Shire
Another elegiac score for me is definitely "Careful, He Might Hear You" by Cook. The music reaches a rarified plateau that is strongly reminiscent of Vaughan Williams. As I recall the final cue "Who Am I" when P.S. is running through a garden having suddenly connected with his real name -- then begins shouting it to the world -- just throbs with joy, sorrow, and as a necessary by-product, an intense loss of innocence. Wow.
Another elegaic score for me is definitely "Careful, He Might Hear You" by Cook. The music reaches a rarified plateau that is strongly reminiscent of Vaughan Williams.
Is "Hymn for the Fallen" from SAVING PRIVATE RYAN an 'elegy'? Like others, I'm not sure what the term means, exactly (in musical terms). Speaking of Williams, one of his finest concert pieces is "Elegy for Cello and Orchestra", but that's obviously not a film score.
It's a poetic, rather than musical term, but SPR surely fits the description. In a similar vein, one might mention Bernard Herrmann's concert piece For the Fallen: A Berçeuse for Orchestra.
Some great recommendations and reminders here folks. Careful He Might Hear You already dug out and prepped for play tomorrow in work. Thanks a bunch. I'll be keeping Spotify and YouTube busy.
Is "Hymn for the Fallen" from SAVING PRIVATE RYAN an 'elegy'? Like others, I'm not sure what the term means, exactly (in musical terms).
You read my mind.
Perhaps the close of ST: Wrath of Khan qualifies too. I'm thinking of when they reminisce on the bridge and then the camera goes to Genesis. Spock theme in a decided elegiac moment.
But it also seems to me TV shows often have an elegiac scoring moment when an established character dies or when the actor himself dies and they show flashback clips.
Oh and for us 1776 aficionados, "elegy"...well, enough said.