Monsters University (soundtrack) explained

Monsters University (Original Soundtrack)
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Randy Newman
Cover:Monsters University (soundtrack).png
Released:June 18, 2013
Recorded:2012–2013
Genre:Film soundtrack
Length:55:11
Label:Walt Disney
Producer:
Prev Title:Toy Story 3
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Cars 3
Next Year:2017

Monsters University (Original Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2013 film Monsters University directed by Dan Scanlon. The album accompanies 20 tracks featuring musical score composed by Randy Newman and the original song "Roar" performed by Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso from the Swedish House Mafia. The soundtrack was released through Walt Disney Records on June 18, 2013.

Development

Monsters University featured music composed by longtime Pixar collaborator Randy Newman who scored Monsters, Inc. Scanlon felt that music was important to capture the "fun, freewheeling college atmosphere". The titular themes were recorded by the Pixar Canada studio team who were projected as the alma mater for the voices of the monster students. Newman used the clarinet for Mike's theme which changes as his character arc evolves, while the Oozma Kappa fraternity's music being represented with the accordion as a laidback shuffle to introduce Sulley.[1]

Newman collaborated with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps group Blue Devils Entertainment to incorporate the percussion music so that it makes up for a collegiate sound; the percussions were recorded at the Skywalker Ranch and were written by Blue Devils captain head Scott Johnson.[2] [3] Johannes Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture" is incorporated in the sequence when Mike is riding the pig. The 112-piece orchestra was recorded at the Sony Scoring Stage in Sony Pictures Studios and at the Eastwood Scoring Stage in Warner Bros. Studios.

Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso from the electronic supergroup Swedish House Mafia wrote the original song "Roar", that was featured in a frat party dance sequence and was the first electronic dance number composed for a Pixar film.[4] According to Axwell, "We wanted to keep it funny, funky and at the same time a bit cool with a hint of monsters in it".

Release

Walt Disney Records released the soundtrack on June 18, 2013, three days prior to the film's release.[5] [6] The song "Roar" was preceded as the single on June 4, that was accompanied with the remixes of the track by Style of Eye and Yogi.

Critical reception

Filmtracks.com wrote "while it would have been nice to hear the Monsters, Inc. score extended and better defined in the prequel, it's clear that a completely new musical direction was intended for Monsters University. Unfortunately, while the overarching thematic continuity is improved, the general personality of the work fails to really grab you, much like the original."[7] Corey Hall of Metro Times wrote "the jubilant marching band-inspired soundtrack, are enough to keep kids enthralled and parents amused."[8] Martin Barratt of The Salvation Army wrote "The soundtrack from Oscar winner Randy Newman was especially enjoyable. The jazzed-up drumline marching band music has a wide range of emotions and really adds to the film."[9] Kimberley Jones of The Austin Chronicle summarized "composer Randy Newman keeps the energy level high with his drumline-heavy score."[10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.[11]

Orchestra

Instruments

Accolades

Award! scope="col"
Date of ceremonyCategoryResult
Annie Awards[12] [13] February 1, 2014Music in an Animated Feature Production

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wolfe . Jennifer . 2013-05-23 . Soundtrack Announced for Pixar’s 'Monsters University' . live . https://archive.today/20240707141446/https://www.awn.com/news/soundtrack-announced-pixar-s-monsters-university . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . Animation World Network . en.
  2. Web site: Blue Devils Press Release. September 17, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194755/http://bluedevils.org/news/story.php?newsID=568. October 29, 2013. mdy-all.
  3. Web site: Blue Devils Staff Page. September 17, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192605/http://bluedevils.org/staff/?programID=1&cID=7962. October 29, 2013. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: Mellor . Louisa . 2013-07-10 . 34 geeky things you didn't know about Monsters University . live . https://archive.today/20240707141605/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/34-geeky-things-you-didnt-know-about-monsters-university/ . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . Den of Geek . en-US.
  5. Web site: Walt Disney Records to Release Soundtracks for 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Monsters University'. Film Music Reporter. April 22, 2013. March 20, 2013. October 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195408/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/03/20/walt-disney-records-to-release-soundtracks-for-the-lone-ranger-and-monsters-university/. live.
  6. Web site: Monsters University [CD + Weblink]: Music|publisher=Amazon.com|date=February 6, 2013|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=May 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517161110/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B9JDBCA|url-status=live].
  7. Web site: Monsters University (Randy Newman) . live . https://archive.today/20240707151007/https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/monsters_university.html . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . Filmtracks.com.
  8. Web site: Hall . Corey . Film Review: Monsters University . live . https://archive.today/20240707151644/https://www.metrotimes.com/arts/film-review-monsters-university-2146041 . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . Metro Times . en.
  9. Web site: Barratt . Martin . 2013-07-15 . Film review Monsters University . live . https://archive.today/20240707152353/https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/film-review-monsters-university . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . The Salvation Army . en.
  10. Web site: Jones . Kimberley . 2013-06-21 . Movie Review: Monsters University . live . https://archive.today/20240707152232/https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2013-06-21/monsters-university/ . 2024-07-07 . 2024-07-07 . The Austin Chronicle . en-US.
  11. Randy Newman . Monsters University (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . Randy Newman . Walt Disney Records.
  12. Web site: Jagernauth. Kevin. 'Frozen' & 'Monsters University' Dominate Annie Awards Nominations With 10 Each. Indiewire. December 2, 2013. December 2, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035413/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/frozen-monsters-university-dominate-annie-awards-nominations-with-10-each-20131202. December 3, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  13. Web site: Derks. David. 41st #AnnieAwards Nominations Announced. ASIFA-Hollywood. December 2, 2013. December 2, 2013. December 5, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131205105925/http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/41st-annieawards-nominations-announced/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Monsters University (soundtrack)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.