The King's Speech (soundtrack)

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The King's Speech (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
Alexandre Desplat
Released22 November 2010 (2010-11-22)
StudioAbbey Road Studios, London
GenreClassical
Length41:00
LabelDecca
ProducerAlexandre Desplat
Alexandre Desplat chronology
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1
(2010) 		The King's Speech
(2010) 		The Tree of Life
(2011)

The King's Speech (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the Academy Award-winning film The King's Speech, released by Decca Records on 22 November 2010. Alexandre Desplat composed the film's original music. The score consisted of minimalistic sounds created with piano and strings, and a limited orchestra with oboe and harp being used. It was recorded using old microphones from the EMI archives, used by the royal family, in order to create a vintage and dated sound. The minimalistic use of the music is used to describe Colin Firth's character, the future King George VI.

The score received critical acclaim for Desplat's composition and the use of old microphones for recording the sound of the score. The sound design also received praise from the critics. The score was nominated for several awards, including Best Original Score at the Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, losing both awards to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score for The Social Network. However, it won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music and the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Development[]

The score was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London, with Terry Davies conducting the London Symphony Orchestra.[1] He initially used a limited chamber orchestra for the score, comparing what Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Ludwig van Beethoven had approached for. To create a dated sound, the score was recorded on old microphones extracted from the EMI archives which had been specially made for the royal family, suggested by the mastering engineer Peter Cobbin.[2] Desplat said that "Recording both the score and the classical pieces with the orchestra through these microphones made it a special blend, a special color, and I think all this together, the choice of the instrumentation and the choice of the recording through these microphones made it a unique sound and a unique piece like if it was one only composer all together."[3]

The music played during the broadcast of the 1939 radio speech at the climax of the film is from the 2nd movement (Allegretto) of Beethoven's 7th Symphony; it was added by Tariq Anwar, the editor. When Desplat later joined the team to write the music, he praised and defended Anwar's suggestion. Hooper further remarked that the stature of the piece helps elevate the status of the speech to a public event.[4] Desplat also praised Hooper's decision to use Beethoven music in the score, that was initially used as a temp track, but became an integral part in the score. He said "It worked marvellously, and it made sense since it has such a universal quality to it.  I would never have been able to compete with that."[5]

Track listing[]

The album's original release only featured 14 tracks.[6] Another score album, featuring 18 tracks, that are used from the production of the original score, released as a part of "For Your Consideration" for the awards season.[7] More cues were released as a "complete score", but was only limited for digital download.[8]

All tracks are written by Alexandre Desplat, except where noted.

The King's Speech (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
No.TitleLength
1."Lionel and Bertie"2:10
2."The King's Speech"3:54
3."My Kingdom, My Rules"2:51
4."The King Is Dead"2:06
5."Memories of Childhood"3:36
6."King George VI"3:05
7."The Royal Household"1:43
8."Queen Elizabeth"3:35
9."Fear and Suspicion"3:24
10."The Rehearsal"1:42
11."The Threat of War"3:56
12."Speaking Unto Nations (Beethoven Symphony No. 7 – II)"5:02
13."Epilogue (Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor" – II)"3:56
14."The Logue Method (Mozart: Marriage of Figaro Overture Clarinet Concerto Mvt I)"3:45
The King's Speech (For Your Consideration)
No.TitleLength
1."Opening Title (Part 1)" 
2."Opening Title (Part 2)" 
3."Opening Title (Part 3)" 
4."Fog To Logue's" 
5."Logue's House" 
6."Listening To Record" 
7."King George Dies" 
8."Childhood" 
9."Marshmallows" 
10."Sessions Are Over" 
11."George VI" 
12."King No Speaks" 
13."Bertie Cries" 
14."Don't Be Afraid" 
15."Bertie's Suspicion" 
16."The Rehearsal" 
17."Premises Of War" 
18."Lionel & Bertie" 
The King's Speech (Complete Score)
No.TitleLength
1."Bertie Cries" 
2."Bertie's Suspicion" 
3."Childhood" 
4."Childhood (Alternate)" 
5."Don't Be Afraid" 
6."Don't Be Afraid (Alternate)" 
7."Epilogue (Source)" 
8."Fog To Logue's" 
9."George VI" 
10."King George Dies" 
11."King George Dies (Alternate)" 
12."King No Speaks" 
13."Lionel & Bertie" 
14."Listening To Record" 
15."Logue's House" 
16."Logue's House (Alternate)" 
17."Marshmallows" 
18."My Kingdom, My Rules" 
19."Opening Title (Pt. 1)" 
20."Opening Title (Pt. 2)" 
21."Opening Title (Pt. 3)" 
22."Premises Of War" 
23."Queen Elizabeth" 
24."Sessions Are Over" 
25."Speaking Unto Nations (Long)" 
26."Speaking Unto Nations (Source)" 
27."The King's Speech" 
28."The Rehearsal" 

Reception[]

Desplat's score received critical acclaim. Jonathan Broxton called it as Desplat's second best score of 2010, behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, but called it as "an enjoyable little work which compares favorably with earlier scores".[9] Mfiles.com wrote "The music is appropriately dignified when required, but it is far from aloof. Desplat uses a light touch which brings a warmth to the events and helps the audience identify with the characters."[10] The Joy of Movies wrote "this is a gentle and beautiful score to put on in the background.  I think if you enjoy a classical sound, you will like this one."[11]

William Ruhrlmann of AllMusic wrote "Composer Alexandre Desplat provides discreet, restrained music to accompany The King's Speech, the drama about the struggle of Britain's King George VI to overcome his stuttering and speak to his people in times of war and peace. Desplat's piano figures tend to be at the fore, tinkling lightly, supported by the London Symphony Orchestra set to a low heat. By the end, Desplat gives way to Beethoven, whose Symphony No. 7 excerpt and "Emperor" piano concerto fit right in."[12] Sibylla Robertson of Limelight Magazine said "With a simple piano melody and just a whisp of strings, Desplat manages to convey the restrained angst and regal grandeur of the film’s hero. This ability to convey character musically is Desplat’s great strength."[13]

James Southall wrote "Few, if any, modern film composers are able to bring such a light touch to such a serious film and make it work so well; fewer still are able to write music of such genuine warmth without succumbing to even the tiniest whiff of schmaltz."[14] Filmtracks.com wrote "The King's Speech is an effortless listening experience that, due to the chamber-like ensemble size and/or the obscured recording, will not stir trouble for a moment during its half hour on album (which is rounded off by nine minutes of two Beethoven pieces used for pivotal scenes). Unfortunately, it only inspires in small, conservative doses as well, making it a safe but somewhat unremarkable recommendation."[15] It has been named as one of the composer's best scores, by Far Out Magazine,[16] and the best from the 2000s' by MovieWeb.[17] Writing for Far Out, Swapnil Dhruv Bose on revisiting the film after 10 years, still felt that "The wonderful score from Alexandre Desplat contributes immensely to this atmospheric tension".[18]

Accolades[]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards 27 February 2011 Best Original Score Alexandre Desplat Nominated [19]
Best Sound Mixing Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, John Midgley Nominated
British Academy of Film and Television Arts 13 February 2011 Best Film Music Alexandre Desplat Won [20]
Best Sound John Midgley, Lee Walpole, Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award 14 January 2011 Best Score Alexandre Desplat Nominated [21]
European Film Awards 3 December 2011 Best Composer Alexandre Desplat Nominated [22]
Grammy Awards 12 February 2012 Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media The King's Speech Won [23]
Golden Globe Awards 16 January 2011 Best Original Score Alexandre Desplat Nominated [24]
International Film Music Critics Association 24 February 2011 Film Score of the Year Alexandre Desplat Nominated [25]
Best Score for a Drama Film Alexandre Desplat Won
Italian Online Movie Awards 8 May 2011 Best Score Alexandre Desplat Nominated [26]

Chart performance[]

Chart (2010) Peak

position

UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[27] 2
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[28] 5

References[]

  1. ^ "Terry Davies - Olivier Award Winning Composer and Conductor". Terrydavies.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  2. ^ Martens, T. (26 November 2010). "The sound of silence: Alexandre Desplat on the music that 'just floats' throughout 'The King's Speech'" Archived 5 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Pop & hiss (LA Times music blog). Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Contender – Composer Alexandre Desplat, The King's Speech". Below the Line. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  4. ^ Hooper, Tom (21 January 2011). "The King's Speech director Tom Hooper answers your questions – live!" Archived 10 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. The Guardian Film blog Retrieved on 6 July 2011 (archived by WebCite on 6 July 2011).
  5. ^ "Interview: Alexandre Desplat – composer for The King's Speech". The Joy of Movies. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  6. ^ The King's Speech OST, 1 January 2010, retrieved 28 July 2022
  7. ^ Alexandre Desplat - The King's Speech (Best Original Score), retrieved 28 July 2022
  8. ^ Alexandre Desplat - The King's Speech. Complete Score, retrieved 28 July 2022
  9. ^ "THE KING'S SPEECH – Alexandre Desplat". MOVIE MUSIC UK. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Alexandre Desplat: The King's Speech - a review of the film score soundtrack". www.mfiles.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Soundtrack Review: The King's Speech". The Joy of Movies. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  12. ^ Alexandre Desplat - The King's Speech [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 28 July 2022
  13. ^ "The King's Speech: original motion picture soundtrack (Alexandre Desplat)". Limelight. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  14. ^ "The King's Speech | movie-wave.net". 22 December 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Filmtracks: The King's Speech (Alexandre Desplat)". www.filmtracks.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  16. ^ "The 10 best Alexandre Desplat soundtracks". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  17. ^ Lamare, Amy (22 January 2022). "Best Film Scores of the 2000s". MovieWeb. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Revisiting 'The King's Speech' 10 years later". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Winners and Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  20. ^ "2011 Film Awards Winners and Nominees". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 6 January 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  21. ^ "The 16th Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominees". Broadcast Film Critics Association. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  22. ^ "European Film Awards: 2010". European Film Academy. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  23. ^ "Complete List of Nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards | E! Online UK". Ca.eonline.com. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  24. ^ "King's Speech, The". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  25. ^ "IFMCA announces its 2010 Winners for scoring excellence". International Film Music Critics Association. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  26. ^ "Inception piglia tutto" (in Italian). Ioma.it. 19 April 2011. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  27. ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 - 20 to 26 February". Official Charts Company. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Soundtracks – Week of December 25, 2010 – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
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