MovieChat Forums > Howards End (1993) Discussion > The Score

The Score

posted 12 years ago by EJverh
8 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if this was already mentioned here, but Imo the score is sublime in this picture! From the opening solemn melody,we knew we were in for something special. My favorites:
The Beethoven's Fifth editing to the very last note ending with Helen dropping the umbrella in with the pile.
But the strength and beauty of original score started with passing of Ruth and that haunting melancholy melody as bits of Howards End flowers are shown. It felt as Ruth herself was walking, once again through her favorite place and her home. And in those moments we `feel` her spirit forever settling here. It makes me weep as well as nostalgically smile.
Also, note how Len`s explorer theme begins slightly as he watches the stars from his roof then it gets cluttered as we cut to him in the bank, overtaken with louder background `noise` melody: this is the place that's preventing him to day dream calling him urgently back to Earth. Then again it swells up so strong and powerful as he's alone in the nature! Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

Oh God, all of that! Just listening to it now. What a wonderful job Richard Robbins did here; the score perfectly punctuates the narrative, as you say, whilst not being intrusive. He really should have won the Oscar that year.

[–] EJverh 11 years ago

Yes, sirjeremy, it would have been deserved. Wonder who did win...Is the score available on the cd, do you know?

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

The CD used to be available, at least here in England, but it was deleted. I'm so glad I copied it to my iTunes before I gave it to a charity shop; I still love listening to it, especially the main title track (remember Vanessa Redgrave walking through the gardens in the opening scene?).

Aladdin won that year .

[–] EJverh 11 years ago

Of course I remember! I could just start singing the melody by myself! Youre so lucky to have it!

[–] EJverh 11 years ago

Yes, I know what you mean, as the opening title appears gloriously on the screen. I wonder if that was the part of the original score, too. Anyway, I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] murph24 11 years ago

And, I'm not entirely sure about this, but I don't think the piano music (at the beginning and at Howards End) was by Robbins.

Your suspicions are correct. The music underscoring the opening title sequence - as Ruth Wilcox slowly walks around Howards End, and later reprised when Margaret visits the house for the first time - is a 1910 composition by Percy Grainger entitled "Bridal Lullaby." In addition, the piece that plays over the end titles is "Mock Morris," a 1916 composition also written by Grainger.

This is not to take anything away from the music composed for the film by Richard Robbins; his compositions are wonderful (especially those that accompany Leonard's explorations of the countryside) and compliment the melodies by Grainger beautifully. I simply want to credit the appropriate composer for the music heard on the soundtrack.

On a side note, the "Bridal Lullaby" was written as a wedding present for a woman Grainger had loved and lost (thanks to interference from his mother). But Grainger was so pleased his former love had found happiness that he composed this piece in her honor.

[–] shaguniitb 11 years ago

Wow. What a beautiful story! I love that piece. Thanks for sharing.