THE DUCHESS

‘THE DUCHESS AND END TITLES’, ‘MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE’, ‘SIX

YEARS LATER’ AND ‘NEVER SEE YOUR CHILDREN AGAIN’

Composer: Rachel Portman Date: 2008

WIDER LISTENING PIECES

CA RTE RB UR WELL- JOHN WILLIAMS- ALEXANDER DESPLAT-

BELLA'S LULLABY (TWILIGHT) JURASSIC PARK T H E D A N I S H G I R L

Modal melody transports us to the past.
Inverted pedal string textures
Woodwind, strings, piano and light
percussion to establish a 'romantic' mood
Strings double piano
Main theme made up of auxiliary note idea with a
balanced phrase structure that is repeated
throughout.
Starts with piano melody, High strings added on.
Texture gradually builds in an uplifting effect.
Similar use of instrumentation: Light, classical
orchestrations, with heavy emphasis on strings, piano,
and woodwinds; Harp arpeggios.
Melody dominated homophony
Strong melodic lines
Rhythmic ideas follow traditional dance like timings .

R A C H E L P O R T M A N - DARIO MARIANELLI-
THE CIDER HOUSE RULES PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

String chords, Classically inspired soundtrack.

Piano quaver accompaniment and melody
Uncomplicated harmonically
Clear, balanced phrasing with a strong melodic line.
Woodwind takes over with melody at certain points
Limited use of instruments and techniques to reflect the period the film is set
in. 'Chamber setting' of Romantic piano music mixed with soaring cinematic
strings.
Somber minor chords in melancholic moments as an underscoring to the
action on screen, not detracting attention from the action, but rather
accompanying.