Film music: critical approaches

Abstract

This collection of essays on film music in the 20th century provides a detailed, diverse and accessible perspective on music in the cinema. Chapters include the techniques and views of film music and film music scholarship. For something we often barely notice music in films is usually highly effective. It creates tension, elicits emotion and is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of the cinematic experience. Upon closer inspection, it can be seen that film music is highly complex and artful, not only having immediate emotional impact but also comprising some of the most outstanding music produced in the twentieth century. Bringing together some of the most influential international scholars on the subject, this anthology provides a detailed, diverse and accessible perspective on music in the cinema. As well as chapters on the techniques and views of film music and on film music scholarship, the book embraces topics as diverse as Bernard Herrmann's music for Welles's Citizen Kane, the use of discs to accompany silent films and gender and the cinematic soundscape