CRAWL/ WARD 13

The tense and edgy score for the masterfully sparse and suspenseful film, Crawl (keep your hat on!), coupled with his earlier orchestral roller-coaster of a score for Ward 13 (hold on to your wheelchair!) - always an audience favourite.


Both of the scores on this recording were composed for films by first-time directors but although they are very different films requiring very different scores interestingly both filmmakers referenced the music of Bernard Herrmann as a guide when we sat down to discuss what approach the music should take.
Crawl, directed by Paul China, presented a unique challenge for the composer because so much of the film is very quiet with long scenes of people creeping around and holding their breath in fear. The masterful accumulation of tension is almost unbearable and it was apparent to me that every note of music would be exposed and therefore become a powerful statement - there was nowhere to hide. This called for very careful placement of the music to help shape the film for maximum suspense, at times driving the film forward, at other times incorporating silence itself into the score. In keeping with this minimal approach most of the music is built on just five notes and we have allowed the orchestra of seventeen strings to retain a close-miked sound that gives the soundtrack an uncomfortable brittle edge.

In contrast, Ward 13, directed by Peter Cornwell, is a thrill ride and what an exciting one it is! Although this claymation picture starts mysteriously and quietly enough, a pursuit soon begins and this humorous film races towards an extraordinary wheelchair chase. The music parallels this by only introducing sections of the orchestra at first - strings, winds, stings with percussion - and holding back the splendid sound of the full ninety-piece orchestra for the thrilling finale. - Christopher Gordon

? 1. Stranger in Town
? 2. Romantic Evening (Piano)
? 3. Roadside
? 4. In the House
? 5. Romantic Evening (Strings)
? 6. The Axe, the Gun and the Slap
? 7. The End
? 8. Ward 13