THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES (2CD)

? Sony Music Masterworks is excited to announce the release of THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE) by award-winning composer JAMES NEWTON HOWARD.

? The album features original score music written by Howard for the new prequel to the massively popular dystopian film franchise. Howard makes his return to the world of Panem after scoring the franchise’s original four films, part of the composer’s longstanding creative relationship with director Francis Lawrence.

? Featured throughout the album’s 40 tracks is global superstar pianist YUJA WANG, who also contributes her virtuosic playing skills to three newly reimagined solo piano suites Howard based on past Hunger Games themes, including a new take on one of the franchise’s most moving cues, “Rue’s Farewell.”

? Taking place nearly 70 years before the events of the first film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes required Howard to chart a new, distinct sonic palette to reflect the earlier time period. In a departure from past scores, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes found the composer moving towards a more orchestral sound as opposed to the earlier, more electronic-infused soundscapes.

? Utilizing baroque instruments like the viola de gamba and cello d’amore, Howard was able to evoke a more rural, folk feel to the score, both a nod to the prequel’s earlier time period and also a stylistic extension of the original songs performed throughout by lead Rachel Zegler.

? A major figure in the film and TV music world since he scored Pretty Woman in 1990, James Newton Howard has had seven of his scores nominated for the Academy Award, as well as receiving two nominations in the Best Song category. His credits include scores for The Prince of Tides, The Fugitive, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Shyamalan’s The Village, Michael Clayton, Defiance and News of the World ? all Oscar-nominated ? as well as Maleficent, all of The Hunger Games films, Water for Elephants, The Dark Knight (with Hans Zimmer), King Kong (2006), Blood Diamond, Batman Begins and many others.

1. The Dark Days
2. Anthem: Gem of Panem (Instrumental)
3. Coryo in the Capitol
4. Assigning the Mentors
5. Meet the Mentor
6. Gamemaker
7. Sejanus
8. Hunger is a Weapon
9. Strategy
10. Department of War
11. The Arena
12. Saving Snow
13. Ideas Firing
14. Happy Hunger Games
15. Mercy
16. Seize the Opportunity
17. Cut the Feed
18. Open the Gate
19. Powerful
20. Afraid of Water
21. Drone Attack
22. Inside the Duct
23. Under the Flag
24. Planting the Cloth
25. Rainbow of Destruction
26. Get Her Out
27. The Sound of Snow
28. Your Life Has Just Begun
29. You Are Safe
30. Trust Is Everything
31. I Can’t Stay Here
32. Cabin in the Rain
33. Lucy?
34. The Woods
35. Change of Plan
36. Passed the Tests
37. Snow Lands on Top
38. I. Friendship* ? performed by Yuja Wang
39. II. Rue’s Farewell* ? performed by Yuja Wang
40. III. Victor* ? performed by Yuja Wang
*Solo Piano Suites