Composing

As a violinist and composer, I've been completely captivated by the sophisticated, sometimes shocking, musical choices being made across this universe. The use of classical music in such unhinged contexts is absolutely brilliant.

It started with the Season 3 finale of The Boys, where I fell head over...

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It started with the Season 3 finale of The Boys, where I fell head over heels for Christopher Lennertz's 'I Can Do Anything.' This piece is a virtuoso violin tour-de-force that accompanies the closing sequence. Given the subject matter, the choice of such a technically demanding, classically styled piece was fascinating. I loved it so much, I've actually performed it in concert!

Now, fast-forward to the spin-off, Gen V, and classical music is officially back—and it's never been darker.

This season, a quite brutal scene of intimacy was accompanied by Mozart's Violin Sonata in E minor (K. 304). This is such an unusual and powerful selection. For those unfamiliar, it's not a popular piece, but the history is devastating: Mozart wrote it in Paris directly after the death of his mother, while his father was simultaneously blaming him for her passing and leaving him penniless. Pairing this piece—born of profound grief and abandonment—with the scene doesn't just score it; it elevates it, imbuing the brutality with an unexpected layer of pathos and psychological complexity. It's a masterstroke of subtext.

Later on, we hear Bach during some truly unhinged scenes. Every time I hear Bach in this context, I am immediately reminded of Hannibal Lecter. Given the sheer control, intellect, and refined depravity often associated with Bach's music, I have to believe this connection was entirely intentional—a musical shorthand for refined madness.

Overall, the music supervisors are making incredibly brave and well-played choices. These aren't just background tracks; they are specific, historically loaded pieces being used as powerful commentary.

Has anyone else picked up on these musical threads? What are your thoughts on this resurgence of classical music in modern, dark television?

Music, storytelling, and cinematic experimentation collide in Netflix’s newly announced One Shot with Ed Sheeran, a groundbreaking, single-take musical experience premiering November 21.

Read more here:

Directed by Philip Baran...

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Kerry Kennard

4
4 people like this
7 months ago

The Embertone library is nice for small ensembles.

It takes a little time to get the sound you want, though a lot of options are available.

Julien Ober

3
3 people like this
7 months ago

You're right, Mark, it's often difficult. I saw that Sonuscore just released a new string library with many articulations called Lux. I haven't tested it yet. We'll see if this library provides any solutions.

Jon Shallit

Hire a LIVE violinist or a quartet. Or violin and piano. LIVE. Or soon there will be no LIVE musicians.

Jon Shallit - I did hire a violinist for one project I did last year. I could never get the sound I wanted from two or three different libraries.....

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It is the intangibles that our ears hear that can't be computed.

Emmanuel Obiejemba

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renée Smith
- Ville Hildén
7 months ago

For demo purposes only, AI voices is not bad.
2. Words or music first? I've never written words before music, it's always either music before words or both words and music together. Even when writing

Ville Hildén

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renée Smith
- Emmanuel Obiejemba
7 months ago

I’m in the same camp, although I suspect both methods have their advantages.

Yeah, Ville, absolutely they both have their advantages

David Matthews 3

1
1 person likes this
- Ashley Renée Smith
9 months ago

Hey there,

Posting if interested.

A Nigerian - born musician based in AUSTRALIA. Started making music six (6) - seven (7) years ago in New Zealand in 2018. Since relocating to Australia, D.MATTHEWS has...

Mark Gosney

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renée Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
7 months ago

Hey Kerry! I have been watching the 8dio guys work on the SoundPaint engine over the past couple of years and it sounds pretty amazing. Have you used any of it in any of your work?

Mark Gosney -

I think I’ve used the basic piano in one of my works. Its reverb is really good!

Sometimes it’s a bit interesting to figure out the interface you mention. I’ve watched a video from Sound...

I’m wondering how well it works as a vst running in VEP..

Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renée Smith
- Kat Spencer
8 months ago

The Jaws theme song when it picks up speed, Kat Spencer.

Darrell Pennington

4
4 people like this
8 months ago

I love theme songs in general - nostalgia is such a potent stimulant. I have a Spotify playlist of theme songs.

Ashley Renée Smith

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3 people like this
8 months ago

That’s such a great find, Kat Spencer! I had no idea Gary Portnoy did all the vocals himself! It really shows how creativity can outshine limitations when it comes to sound design and production. I lo...

Kat Spencer

It really surprised and impressed me too Ashley Renée Smith! And now that I know this, I can clearly hear it. Very cool.

Mike Hall

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renée Smith
- Maurice Vaughan
8 months ago

Always loved watching Cheers but I always noticed the into theme to the earlier episodes seemed very low in volume.....learning that the early episodes where the music was in mono may have explained this.

Libby Wright

Here's the link in case you want to see what we did: https://youtu.be/NVVbeFPJDyY

2
2 people like this
- Ashley Renée Smith
- Libby Wright
8 months ago

I think the buildup in a score is important, Libby Wright! And it's one of my favorite things about a score.

Yes- and it's so underrated in my opinion Maurice Vaughan !

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
8 months ago

This is such a wonderful reflection, Libby Wright. I completely agree, it’s those subtle cues and emotional undercurrents in a score that truly bring a story to life. I love that your whole family was...

Hannah Woolmer

Simon Marchant I've been with Sentric for years and they have worked well for me, but to be honest I haven't shopped around for a while. It may be worth doing a bit of research and seeing which publis...

Simon Marchant

thanks again Hannah Woolmer

There’s a real dearth of information out there about publishing, agents and how to get paid for the creative work that you do. So any little bits of advice from those making composing for film work for them is really most gratefully received!

So having a publisher is a good idea as they register your compositions with performing rights organisations around the world. Then they can track where music is used. They collect a range of royaltie...

I should also add, that music released on itunes etc. would also benefit from being registered with a publishers because there are two types of royalties 1. The master recording - your digital distrib...

Debbie Seagle

Can't wait to see this! NYC is the perfect place to catch lots of colorful unscripted activity. A one-shot project in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA where I live would be hilarious – and would probably include dogs, cows, and turkey buzzards. Hey, we may be on to something here.