Moonlight (soundtrack)

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Moonlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Nicholas Britell
ReleasedOctober 21, 2016
Studio2015–2016
Genre
Length38:04
LabelLakeshore
ProducerNicholas Britell
Nicholas Britell chronology
Free State of Jones
(2016) 		Moonlight
(2016) 		Tramps
(2016)

Moonlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2016 film of the same name directed by Barry Jenkins. The film's original score is composed by Nicholas Britell who applied a chopped and screwed technique of hip hop remixes to orchestral music, producing a "fluid, bass-heavy score". The soundtrack album consisted of 21 tracks, with incorporated compositions from Goodie Mob, Boris Gardiner and Barbara Lewis and an arrangement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Vesperae solennes de confessore" by Britell, with the score accompanying the remainder of it.[1]

Lakeshore Records released the film's soundtrack digitally on October 21, 2016 and in physical formats on November 25, 2016, with the vinyl edition of the album, being released on February 17, 2017.[2][1] The score received positive critical acclaim praising Britell's composition and the chopped and screwed musical technique. The score received nominations for "Best Original Score" category in the Academy Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Golden Globe Awards and other ceremonies, but lost all of them to Justin Hurwitz for La La Land. However, Britell won the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Score and Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Score in a Feature Film.

Background[edit]

The original score is composed by Nicholas Britell, marking the beginning of a collaboration with Jenkins.[3] Plan B Entertainment, co-producer Jeremy Kleiner approached Britell with a script for reading, which he felt as "incredibly beautiful" and "completely overwhelmed" agreeing to contribute to the music. He added "the film felt like poetry, it was so beautiful and tender".[4][5]

Recording and production[edit]

The score is an alteration of minimal instrumentation and sounds from full chamber orchestra.[5][6] His initial musical instincts were to have "sensitivity, tenderness and intimacy", and adding a counterpoint is the idea of chopped and screwed music, a type of Southern hip hop genre where songs are bent and pitched and slowed down and become "fascinating morphed versions of themselves that are deepened and enriched".[7] This technique is mainly to slow down the tempo between 60-70 quarter-note beats that, when repeated in a measure, creates a "choppy" effect. The recordings he scored where manipulated with the Ableton Live software, where he would play with octaves and tone and layered them to achieve that sound.[8][9]

"It was a multi-part compositional process, where I would write pieces of music, we’d record the music fully with instruments, then we started the next part of the process, where I slowed the pieces and manipulated some of the audio sounds with bending and morphing as well [...] It became a concept we employed throughout the film. As the music evolves and develops, the bending and morphing evolve as well. And in some cases, there are moments where ‘Chiron’s Theme’ appears quietly in B major and then over the course of the film modulates down. And the pitch actually goes down in crazy ways during a schoolyard fight, where the music rumbles in the sub woofers. It’s the same piece of music with three octaves down."

— Nicholas Britell, on chopping and screwing instruments for Chiron's theme.[4]

As the film is divided into three chapters of Chiron's life, the score itself depict the character's growth with the progressive community. He first began with "Chiron's Theme" where he chopped and screwed piano alternates between major and minor chords, with spare violin acting as counterpoint, which led Britell call it as "Piano and Violin Poem". The theme was then morphed into cellos, when Chiron reunites with his childhood friend Kevin (André Holland).[7] In contrast, the score for "The Middle of the World" is played when a young Chiron is taught to swim by Juan (Mahershala Ali), a sensitive drug-dealer who becomes his father-figure. This provoked him to write the main theme for the film.[4] In a sequence, where Chiron and Kevin slap hands in a high-five before tragedy separates them, Britell used the sonic element to create a percussion tapestry, which was "a fascinating exploration of what happens to the pieces after they’ve been woven into a sonic landscape".[7]

Cover artwork[edit]

The soundtrack album to Moonlight featured cover art designed by John Bergin,[10] The original edition has a still of Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Alex Hibbert as Chiron, split in three sides of the cover, and primary colors include blue, violet and indigo.[11] The second album for the vinyl edition has a still of Sanders' facing the left side of the background.[12][13]

Release[edit]

Lakeshore Records distributed the Moonlight soundtrack in digital formats on October 21, 2016, the same day as the film's release,[11] and in physical formats on November 25.[14] The album was released in vinyl on February 17, 2017.[13][15] The album was released in the United Kingdom by Invada Records on June 2, 2017 in digital CD and vinyl editions.[16][12] In Taiwan, the album was published by Noble Music and Lakeshore on April 13, 2017. Rambling Records released the album in Japan on April 7, 2017.[17] Two repressed editions of the album were released in 2019 and 2020.[12]

Live performance[edit]

Britell performed the score live at the Million Dollar Theater in Los Angeles on January 10, 2017, where a special screening of the film was held. Wordless Music Orchestra performed the score at the stage with Britell conducting, and will also receive a copy of the film's soundtrack in physical form by A24. On the live performance, Britell felt "incredibly excited" and also added that he would re-record the complex soundscapes and audio textures and use "a variety of techniques (including real-time pitch shifting) to recreate the chopped and screwed music recorded in the studio".[18]

Track listing[edit]

Moonlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Every N****a Is a Star"Boris Gardiner3:19
2."Little's Theme"Nicholas Britell0:59
3."Ride Home"Britell0:47
4."Vesperae solennes de confessore – Laudate dominum, K. 339 (Excerpt)" (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)Britell1:42
5."The Middle of the World"Britell2:02
6."The Spot"Britell1:23
7."Interlude"Britell0:25
8."Chiron's Theme"Britell0:56
9."Metrorail Closing"Britell1:42
10."Chiron's Theme Chopped & Screwed (Knock Down Stay Down)"Britell2:08
11."You Don't Even Know"Britell2:20
12."Don't Look at Me"Britell0:36
13."Cell Therapy"Goodie Mob4:37
14."Atlanta Ain't but so Big"Britell0:55
15."Sweet Dreams"Britell0:58
16."Chef's Special"Britell1:10
17."Hello Stranger"Barbara Lewis2:43
18."Black's Theme"Britell0:56
19."Who Is You?"Britell0:53
20."End Credits Suite"Britell5:13
21."Bonus Track: The Culmination"Britell1:55

Reception[edit]

Giving a score 7.7 out of 10, Calum Marsh of Pitchfork reviewed "Nicholas Britell composed a score that splits the difference between classical and codeine".[10] About the chopped and screwed technique for the score, Marsh explained "Moonlight is all about slowing things down: it’s about how identities are made, how appearances are cultivated, and how if we stop for a moment the difference between who we’re trying to be and who we are becomes obvious. The clash in styles lays bare these themes so compellingly. It’s real life chopped and screwed."[10] Writing for Drowned in Sound, Adam Turner-Heffer gave a score of 8 out 10 and commented "Britell's soundtrack is every bit as unnerving and beautiful as the film it colours and is well worth exploring as a wonderful piece of contemporary music, as well as cinema."[19] Laurie Chen of The Quietus called the album as "immensely evocative and conjures up entire scenes of the film when only a fragment is heard".[20] James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "Britell tells the musical story well, but on album it doesn’t offer nearly as compelling a musical narrative despite scaling some high peaks along the way."[21]

Accolades[edit]

Moonlight's score by Nicholas Britell received nominations under Best Original Score category in major award ceremonies—including Academy Awards,[22] Golden Globe Awards[23] and Critics' Choice Movie Awards.[24] He lose all of them to Justin Hurwitz for his score in La La Land (2016). However, at the 2017 Black Reel Awards, Britell won the award for Outstanding Original Score,[25] and also won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Score in a Feature Film.[26]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards February 26, 2017 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [22]
Black Reel Awards February 16, 2017 Outstanding Original Score Nicholas Britell Won [25]
[27]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 15, 2016 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [28]
[29]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards December 11, 2016 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [24]
[30]
Florida Film Critics Circle December 23, 2016 Best Score Moonlight – Nicholas Britell Nominated [31]
[32]
Georgia Film Critics Association January 13, 2017 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [33]
Golden Globe Awards January 8, 2017 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [23]
[34]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 17, 2016 Best Original Score – Feature Film Nicholas Britell Won [26]
Houston Film Critics Society January 6, 2017 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [35]
International Film Music Critics Association February 23, 2017 Best Original Score for a Drama Film Nicholas Britell Nominated [36]
San Francisco Film Critics Circle December 11, 2016 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [37]
[38]
Seattle Film Critics Society January 5, 2017 Best Original Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [39]
[40]
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association December 18, 2016 Best Music/Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [41]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 5, 2016 Best Score Nicholas Britell Nominated [42]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Calvario, Liz (October 29, 2016). "'Moonlight' Score: Listen to Nicholas Britell's Moving Compositions". IndieWire. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "Listen To A Chopped and Screwed mix of the Moonlight Soundtrack". The Fader. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  3. ^ Kilday, Gregg (November 11, 2016). "How 'Moonlight' Became a "Personal Memoir" for Director Barry Jenkins: "I Knew the Story Like the Back of My Hand"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 16, 2016). "The Sound Of 'Moonlight': How Composer Nicholas Britell Tapped The Poetic Soul Of Barry Jenkins' Coming-Of-Age Drama". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins on Bringing 'Art House to the Hood'". www.vice.com. October 20, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  6. ^ Cooper, Michael (February 21, 2017). "Hear How 'Moonlight' Got Its Sound: Violins, Chopped and Screwed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Desowitz, Bill (October 13, 2016). "'Moonlight': How Nicholas Britell's Score Balances Poetry and Southern Hip-Hop". IndieWire. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  8. ^ Galas, Marj (November 18, 2016). "'Moonlight' Composer Used Music Ranging From Hip-Hop to Classical to Inspire Score". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  9. ^ Swanson, Carl (December 2016). "Moonlight Director Barry Jenkins Thought He'd Fled His Past, Then He Accidentally Made a Movie About It". Vulture. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Nicholas Britell: Moonlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Moonlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), by Nicholas Britell". Nicholas Britell. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "Nicholas Britell - Moonlight OST 2020 Re-Press [LP]". www.invada.co.uk. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Nicholas Britell Moonlight Soundtrack 180g LP (Transparent Blue Vinyl)". Elusive Disc. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Moonlight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Nicholas Britell". iTunes. October 21, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  15. ^ "Nicholas Britell - Moonlight - (Vinyl LP)". Rough Trade. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  16. ^ "Moonlight - Nicholas Britell LP, Album, Blu (2017)". The Retro Store. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Nicholas Britell: Filmmusik: Moonlight (O.S.T.) (180g) (Blue Vinyl) (LP) – jpc". www.jpc.de (in German). Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  18. ^ O'Falt, Chris (November 21, 2016). "'Moonlight' Set to Receive Live Orchestra Screening Treatment, Featuring Composer Nicholas Britell". IndieWire. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  19. ^ "Album Review: Nicholas Britell - Moonlight – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". DrownedInSound. June 23, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Chen, Laurie (March 5, 2017). "A Kind Of Blue: Reflections On The Moonlight Soundtrack". The Quietus. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "Moonlight soundtrack review | Nicholas Britell | movie-wave.net". January 29, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  22. ^ a b "The 89th Academy Awards". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  23. ^ a b "Golden Globes 2017: The Complete List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  24. ^ a b Kilday, Gregg (December 1, 2016). "'La La Land,' 'Arrival,' 'Moonlight' Top Critics' Choice Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  25. ^ a b "'Moonlight' Shines Bright!". Black Reel Awards. February 17, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  26. ^ a b "The 2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards winners". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  27. ^ "17th Annual Black Reel Awards Nominations". Black Reel Awards. December 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 28, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  28. ^ "The 2016 Chicago Film Critics Association Award Nominees". Chicago Film Critics Association. December 11, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  29. ^ "Chicago Film Critics 2016 Winners Announced: Moonlight is Best Picture". Rotten Tomatoes. December 15, 2016. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  30. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly; Shanley, Patrick (December 11, 2016). "Critics' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  31. ^ "'Moonlight' Leads 2016 Florida Film Critics Awards Nominations". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 21, 2016. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  32. ^ Rodriguez, Rene (December 23, 2016). "Florida Film Critics Circle swoons for 'The Lobster,' 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight'". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  33. ^ "2016 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. January 12, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  34. ^ "Golden Globes 2017 winners: full list of TV and film awards as The Crown and La La Land triumph". The Daily Telegraph. January 9, 2017. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  35. ^ Dansby, Andrew (December 14, 2016). "'La La Land' la la lands multiple noms from Houston Film Critics". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  36. ^ Levy, Dani (February 9, 2017). "'Arrival,' 'La La Land' Among Film Music Critics Nominees". Variety. Archived from the original on March 4, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  37. ^ "San Francisco Critics Award Winners Announced: Moonlight Wins Best Picture". Rotten Tomatoes. December 11, 2016. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  38. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (December 12, 2016). "'Moonlight' Named Best Picture by San Francisco Film Critics Circle". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  39. ^ "The 2016 Seattle Film Award Nominees". Seattle Film Critics Society. December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  40. ^ ""Moonlight" Awarded Best Picture by Seattle Film Critics Society". Seattle Film Critics Society. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  41. ^ "2016 StLFCA Annual Award Winners". St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association. December 18, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  42. ^ "'La La Land' Music to the Ears of D.C. Film Critics". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017.
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