Pawn Sacrifice (score) explained

Pawn Sacrifice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Type:EP
Longtype:/ film score
Artist:James Newton Howard
Released:September 11, 2015
Recorded:2014–2015
Studio:Abbey Road Studios, London
Genre:Film score
Length:23:30
Label:Lakeshore
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Pawn Sacrifice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score soundtrack / extended play composed by James Newton Howard for the 2014 biographical psychological drama film Pawn Sacrifice directed by Edward Zwick based on the life of chess grandmaster and 11th world champion Bobby Fischer, and starred Tobey Maguire as Fischer. The film score was released through Lakeshore Records on September 11, 2015, five days ahead of the film's theatrical release.

Background and release

On May 6, 2014, it was announced that James Newton Howard would compose the musical score for Pawn Sacrifice. Howard had previously worked with Zwick on Blood Diamond (2006), Defiance (2008) and Love & Other Drugs (2010).[1] The score was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London during 2014–2015, orchestrated by Pete Anthony and conducted by Gavin Greenaway.[2] The orchestral portions reflect the psychological nature of Fleischer's mind.[3] The score was released under the Lakeshore Records label on September 11, 2015; the album consisted of eight tracks running for 23 minutes.[4]

Reception

Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter called it as a "workable score by James Newton Howard".[5] Justin Chang of Variety called it as a "moody",[6] and Vaughan Grey of Rain Man Digital described it as an "uplifting score".[7] Richard Brody of The New Yorker described it as "melancholic".[8]

The score was shortlisted as one among the 118 contenders for Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 88th Academy Awards.[9] [10] At the 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival held in Czech Republic, where Howard was honored with the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema, he cited the film's score which he was particularly proud of.[11]

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes[12]

Orchestra
Instruments

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014-05-06 . James Newton Howard to Score Edward Zwick's Pawn Sacrifice . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210621000623/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/dan-the-automator-follows-his-own-lane-to-food-movies-always-be-my-maybe . 2021-06-21 . 2024-08-13 . Film Music Reporter . en-US.
  2. Web site: McCue . Michelle . 2015-09-03 . James Newton Howard's PAWN SACRIFICE Score To Be Released On Sept. 11 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151013203155/https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2015/09/james-newton-howards-pawn-sacrifice-score-to-be-released-on-sept-11/ . 2015-10-13 . 2024-08-13 . We Are Movie Geeks . en-US.
  3. Web site: Ebiri . Bilge . 2020-01-23 . A Long Talk With James Newton Howard, Hollywood's Most Versatile Composer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716173809/https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/a-long-talk-with-hollywood-composer-james-howard-newton.html . 2021-07-16 . 2024-08-13 . . en.
  4. Web site: 2015-08-27 . Pawn Sacrifice Soundtrack Announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210730201218/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2015/08/27/pawn-sacrifice-soundtrack-announced/ . 2021-07-30 . 2024-08-13 . Film Music Reporter . en-US.
  5. Web site: Mintzer . Jordan . 2014-09-07 . 'Pawn Sacrifice': Toronto Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118013704/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pawn-sacrifice-toronto-review-730865/ . 2022-01-18 . 2024-08-13 . . en-US.
  6. Web site: Chang . Justin . 2014-09-07 . Toronto Film Review: 'Pawn Sacrifice' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151102061546/https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/toronto-film-review-pawn-sacrifice-1201300086/ . 2015-11-02 . 2024-08-13 . . en-US.
  7. Web site: Grey . Vaughan . 2015-09-21 . 'Pawn Sacrifice' review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200720002847/https://www.rainmandigitalmedia.com/2015/09/pawn-sacrifice-review/ . 2020-07-20 . 2024-08-13 . Rain Man Digital . en-US.
  8. Brody . Richard . 2015-09-16 . Pawn Sacrifice . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150930192712/https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/pawn-sacrifice . 2015-09-30 . 2024-08-13 . . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2016-01-19 . 112 Original Scores In 2015 Oscar Race . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151218195140/https://www.oscars.org/news/112-original-scores-2015-oscar-race . 2015-12-18 . 2024-08-13 . Oscars.org . . en.
  10. Newman . Melinda . 2015-12-17 . Oscars: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Among the 112 Films Eligible in Original Score Category . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630181251/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/oscars-star-wars-force-awaken-john-williams-scores-composers-6812934/ . 2023-06-30 . 2024-08-13 . . en-US.
  11. Web site: Lapin . Andrew . 2017-07-03 . James Newton Howard On Why 'Fantastic Beasts' Was So Hard to Score And Why He's Going On Tour . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530145103/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/james-newton-howard-interview-harry-potter-fantastic-beasts-1201849718/ . 2023-05-30 . 2024-08-13 . . en-US.
  12. James Newton Howard . Pawn Sacrifice (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . Lakeshore Records.

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