The Master (soundtrack) explained

The Master: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Jonny Greenwood
Cover:The Master Jonny Greenwood album cover.png
Released:September 11, 2012[1]
Recorded:2012
Genre:Soundtrack
Length:46:41
Label:Nonesuch
Producer:Jonny Greenwood, Graeme Stewart
Prev Title:We Need to Talk About Kevin
Prev Year:2011
Next Title:Inherent Vice
Next Year:2014
Chronology:Jonny Greenwood

The Master: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 2012 film of the same name. The album released by Nonesuch Records on September 11, 2012,[2] comprised eleven compositions from the original score by Jonny Greenwood, whom he had previously collaborated with Anderson on There Will Be Blood (2007).[3] [4] The soundtrack further accompanied four recordings from late-1930s to early-1950s.[5] [6] The score received critical acclaim and numerous accolades.

Complete score

In December 2012, The Weinstein Company released a comprehensive score from Greenwood's album as a part of their For Your Consideration campaign for the 2012–13 film awards season.[7] The album featured alternative versions of Greenwood's score that were not included in the soundtrack.[8]

Reception

Greenwood's score received acclaim from critics. The review aggregating website Metacritic, assigned a score 74 out of 100 from 16 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[9]

Heather Phares of AllMusic giving 4-stars to the album, wrote "Most of Greenwood's compositions convey a simmering sense of tension and marred, ambiguous beauty that occasionally resolves itself into more definite emotions such as mysticality, sense of danger, or poignancy. This uneasy listening provides a masterful backdrop for Anderson's film and also makes for fascinating listening in its own right, while once again separating Greenwood from more predictable composers."[10] Ryan Bray of Consequence assigned a C+ grade to the soundtrack and wrote "The Master isn’t a Radiohead record, but at points it’s easy to suspect that it could be. Radiohead’s music has become increasingly cinematic in scope, and their songs draw much of their power from the ability to evoke vivid, often cynical imagery. Anderson’s film called for just that, and Greenwood here delivers a score worthy of the filmmaker’s faith and trust [...] the highest compliment that can be paid The Master soundtrack is that it furthers that sense of excitement. Greenwood has delivered a score that’s both haunting and beautiful, and if Anderson’s film is even half as strangely inspired, we’re all in for something good."[11] Jon Clark writing for Drowned in Sound, gave 8/10 to the album, summarising "Those expecting a Radiohead-like album may be disappointed, but many aspects of what make them a great band are firmly in place here; cinematic and experimental, it is a very much a work of their guitarist."[12]

Howard Gorman of MusicOMH assigned four-and-a-half out of five and wrote "Greenwood has recorded an eerie yet stunning score, and if Anderson’s production is just as aspiring then filmgoers are in for a real treat for the senses."[13] Analysing the album, James Montgomery of MTV had complimented the soundtrack as "positivelly marvelous" being enveloped and enthralled by its "scope and intimacy", he further wrote "Greenwood's score is as much a character as any of the actors, plays just as vital a role in creating the film's surreal, psychological edge. It just may be the best score you'll hear all year (or, more probably, the only one), as mercurial and multilayered as The Master itself. It works on a level that goes beyond mere accompaniment."[14] Music critic Jonathan Broxton called the score as "intelligent musical composition" giving four stars to the album.[15] Sean Wilson of Mfiles wrote "Greenwood's distinctive, unusual and striking work is among the best of 2012, an acute musical distillation of a tormented state of mind."[16]

Peter Travers from Rolling Stone called as "haunting" and "hypnotic".[17] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called Greenwood's "unsettling score" strongly contributed the film.[18] Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal called the score as "eerie" and "dissonant".[19] David Edelstein of Vulture wrote "While Anderson paints with light, composer Jonny Greenwood is painting with sound — electrified strings, atonal horns, reworkings of Penderecki and Bartók. (Even the soundtrack’s old standards like “No Other Love” and “You Go to My Head” have a chill.)"[20] Oliver Lyletton of IndieWire wrote "Jonny Greenwood's percussive, unpredictable score might even exceed his astonishing work on “There Will Be Blood.”[21] She called it as one of the "best soundtracks of 2012".[22]

Adam Woodward of Little White Lies reviewed that Greenwood's "fretful jazz-infused score" reflects the film's polarised mood, along with the cinematography and art direction.[23] Anthony Lane of The New Yorker claimed that Greenwood's "rich and inventive score is used with such unceasing fervor that you almost want it, now and then, to take a break and leave the action in peace".[24] Mark Adams of Screen International wrote "Equally striking is Jonny Greenwood wonderful score that is pitched perfectly and grips right from the first scenes in the South Pacific."[25] Dave Calhoun of Time Out called the score as "spare, jaunty and eccentric".[26] Calum Marsh of Slant Magazine called the score as "serious" and "propulsive",[27]

Accolades

Award / AssociationDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Chicago Film Critics AssociationDecember 17, 2012Best Original Score[28]
Critics' Choice Movie AwardsJanuary 10, 2013Best Score[29]
[30]
Georgia Film Critics AssociationJanuary 2013Best Original Score[31]
[32]
Houston Film Critics SocietyJanuary 5, 2013Best Original ScoreThe Master[33]
[34]
International Cinephile SocietyFebruary 11, 2013Best Original Score[35]
[36]
Los Angeles Film Critics AssociationDecember 9, 2012Best Music[37]
San Diego Film Critics SocietyDecember 11, 2012Best Score[38]
Satellite AwardsDecember 16, 2012Best Original Score[39]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics AssociationDecember 10, 2012Best Score[40]
[41]
World Soundtrack AwardsOctober 19, 2013Best Original Score of the Year[42]

Best original score disqualification

In September 2012, an article from Vulture written by Seth Colter Walls highlighted that possiblities of Greenwood's score for The Master being disqualified for nomination at the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 85th Academy Awards as two of its pieces were derived from Greenwood's orchestral piece "48 Responses to Polymorphia" which premiered in late-2011. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' rules for Original Score nomination stated that cues written specifically for the motion picture could be qualified for the award nomination, and such cues must be recorded specifically for the motion picture prior to any other usage. The rule also stated that scores diluted by the use of tracked themes and pre-existing music would be ruled ineligible for submission, even though 35% of the pre-existing material should be used in the film.[43]

Walls felt that two of the cues: "Overtones" and "Baton Sparks" contained music inspired from the orchestral piece, either partially or entirely. In the former, the track started differently than the original cue while in the 113rd second, the piece started similarly identical to the album. Whereas the latter was heavily inspired from the piece. The score was performed by the Scottish Ensemble and AUKSO Orchestra, which performed the orchestral piece and was being recorded by the same engineers in Kraków, Poland. Greenwood's There Will Be Blood score was disqualified from the Original Score nomination as less than half of the complete score had been derived from his piece "Popcorn Superhet Receiver".[44] [45]

In contrast to Walls' claims, The Hollywood Reporter critic Scott Feinberg claimed Greenwood's score would be one of the frontrunners for the Best Original Score nomination.[46] The Weinstein Company also claimed the possibilities that the score would be qualified as most of the material were specifically written for the film. The score was disqualified from being nominated at the Academy Awards, partly due to the inspiration of the cues from the aforementioned piece and the box-office underperformance attributed to losing out specific categories for nomination.[47]

Credits

Credits adapted from Nonesuch Records official website:

Musicians
Production credits

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Master [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]. Allmovie. Rovi Corporation. Phares, Heather. August 30, 2013. November 4, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131104104652/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-master-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0002413269. live.
  2. Web site: September 17, 2012 . 'The Master' Soundtrack . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120923083315/http://www.nonesuch.com/albums/the-master-soundtrack . September 23, 2012 . September 24, 2012 . Nonesuch Records.
  3. Web site: Battan . Carrie . December 8, 2011 . Jonny Greenwood Confirmed to Score New Paul Thomas Anderson Film . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140906074341/http://pitchfork.com/news/44848-jonny-greenwood-confirmed-to-score-new-paul-thomas-anderson-film/ . September 6, 2014 . November 20, 2014 . Pitchfork.
  4. Web site: Perpetua . Matthew . December 6, 2011 . Radiohead Guitarist Signs On to Score Upcoming Film . https://web.archive.org/web/20210305194910/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/radiohead-guitarist-to-score-new-paul-thomas-anderson-movie-244922/ . March 5, 2021 . August 4, 2023 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  5. Web site: August 14, 2012 . Details Revealed for Release of Jonny Greenwood's Score for Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20121012124920/https://pitchfork.com/news/47491-details-revealed-for-release-of-jonny-greenwoods-score-for-paul-thomas-andersons-the-master/ . October 12, 2012 . August 4, 2023 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  6. Web site: September 11, 2012 . Listen to Johnny Greenwood’s Entire Score for The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20130404095116/https://collider.com/the-master-soundtrack-stream/ . April 4, 2013 . August 4, 2023 . Collider . en.
  7. Web site: December 31, 2012 . 'The Master' Score . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130302033447/http://twcguilds.com/film/the-master#score . March 2, 2013 . September 30, 2014 . twcguilds.com . The Weinstein Company.
  8. Web site: Jagernauth . Kevin . December 30, 2012 . Listen: Jonny Greenwood’s Unreleased Score For ‘The Master’ . https://web.archive.org/web/20230804083704/https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/listen-jonny-greenwoods-unreleased-score-for-the-master-249901/ . August 4, 2023 . August 4, 2023 . IndieWire . en-US.
  9. Web site: The Master [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Jonny Greenwood ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150202172730/http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-master-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/jonny-greenwood . February 2, 2015 . November 20, 2014 . Metacritic. CBS Interactive.
  10. Web site: Phares . Heather . The Master [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Jonny Greenwood ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150319024230/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-master-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0002413269 . March 19, 2015 . November 20, 2014 . Allmusic. Rovi Corporation.
  11. Bray . Ryan . September 11, 2012 . Jonny Greenwood – The Master OST . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20141108100432/http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/09/album-review-jonny-greenwood-the-master-ost/ . November 8, 2014 . November 20, 2014.
  12. Web site: Clark . Jon . October 31, 2012 . Album Review: Jonny Greenwood – The Master . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042825/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17313/reviews/4145682 . November 29, 2014 . November 20, 2014 . . Silentway.
  13. Web site: Gorman . Howard . November 5, 2012 . Jonny Greenwood – The Master OST . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034432/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/jonny-greenwood-the-master-ost . November 29, 2014 . November 20, 2014 . musicOMH.
  14. Web site: Montgomery . James . September 14, 2012 . 'The Master' Soundtrack: As Haunted As The Film Itself . https://web.archive.org/web/20120923085309/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1693801/master-soundtrack-johnny-greenwood.jhtml . September 23, 2012 . August 4, 2023 . MTV.
  15. Web site: Broxton . Jonathan . October 4, 2012 . THE MASTER – Jonny Greenwood . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130614091811/http://moviemusicuk.us/2012/10/04/the-master-jonny-greenwood/ . June 14, 2013 . March 8, 2013 . moviemusicuk.us.
  16. Web site: The Master by Jonny Greenwood: a review of the film score soundtrack from mfiles . https://web.archive.org/web/20130315084003/https://www.mfiles.co.uk/reviews/jonny-greenwood-the-master.htm . March 15, 2013 . August 4, 2023 . Mfiles.
  17. Web site: Travers . Peter . September 10, 2012 . The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20120919143809/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-master-20120910 . September 19, 2012 . August 4, 2023 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  18. News: Bradshaw . Peter . November 1, 2012 . The Master – review . en-GB . The Guardian . August 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927164733/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/nov/01/the-master-review . September 27, 2013 . 0261-3077.
  19. News: Morgenstern . Joe . September 13, 2012 . Dazzling Drama About, and by, a 'Master' . en-US . Wall Street Journal . August 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121004192554/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444017504577645572800212402.html . October 4, 2012 . 0099-9660.
  20. Web site: Edelstein . David . September 10, 2012 . Edelstein: There Won’t Be Blood in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Chilly, Cerebral The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20120912032906/https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/edelstein-on-the-master.html . September 12, 2012 . August 4, 2023 . Vulture . en-us.
  21. Web site: Lyttelton . Oliver . September 1, 2012 . Venice Review: ‘The Master’ Is Paul Thomas Anderson’s Most Complex And Distinctive Film To Date . https://web.archive.org/web/20230530201402/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/venice-review-the-master-is-paul-thomas-andersons-most-complex-and-distinctive-film-to-date-251265/ . May 30, 2023 . August 4, 2023 . IndieWire . en-US.
  22. Web site: The Playlist Staff . December 14, 2012 . The Best Film Soundtracks & Scores Of 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230804095207/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-best-film-soundtracks-scores-of-2012-250259/ . August 4, 2023 . August 4, 2023 . IndieWire . en-US.
  23. Web site: Woodward . Adam . The Master review – A technically flawless work of oceanic depth . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923211640/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/09/17/sail-away-2 . September 23, 2015 . August 4, 2023 . Little White Lies . en.
  24. News: Lane . Anthony . September 10, 2012 . Sail Away . en-US . The New Yorker . August 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923211640/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/09/17/sail-away-2 . September 23, 2015 . 0028-792X.
  25. Web site: Adams . Mark . September 1, 2012 . The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20210506192146/https://www.screendaily.com/the-master/5045966.article . May 6, 2021 . August 4, 2023 . Screen . en.
  26. Web site: Calhoun . Dave . September 3, 2012 . The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924232104/https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-master . September 24, 2020 . August 4, 2023 . Time Out . en-GB.
  27. Web site: Marsh . Calum . September 7, 2012 . Review: The Master . https://web.archive.org/web/20200907032145/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-master/ . September 7, 2020 . August 4, 2023 . Slant Magazine . en-US.
  28. Web site: Knegt . Peter . December 17, 2012 . Zero Dark Thirty Tops Chicago Film Critics Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021131143/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/12/zero-dark-thirty-tops-chicago-film-critics-awards-42446/ . October 21, 2020 . July 26, 2022 . IndieWire.
  29. Web site: Knegt . Peter . January 10, 2013 . Argo Leads 2013 Critics Choice Award Winners . https://web.archive.org/web/20160910163223/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/01/argo-leads-2013-critics-choice-award-winners-41979/ . September 10, 2016 . July 26, 2022 . IndieWire.
  30. Web site: Lyttelton . Oliver . December 11, 2012 . Basically Every Movie Nominated In BFCA Critics Choice Awards Lineup; Lincoln Leads Field . https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081627/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/12/basically-every-movie-nominated-in-bfca-critics-choice-awards-lineup-lincoln-leads-field-103060/ . May 13, 2018 . July 26, 2022 . IndieWire.
  31. Web site: January 18, 2013 . Georgia Film Critics Association 2012 winners . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926045539/https://www.georgiaentertainmentnews.com/2013/01/georgia-film-critics-association-2012-winners/ . September 26, 2020 . July 26, 2022 . Georgia Entertainment News.
  32. Web site: 2012 Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20131030112930/https://www.georgiafilmcritics.org/p/2012-awards.html . October 30, 2013 . July 26, 2022 . Georgia Film Critics Association.
  33. Web site: Knegt . Peter . January 6, 2013 . Argo Leads Houston Film Critics' Society Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20170205100311/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/01/argo-leads-houston-film-critics-society-awards-42155/ . February 5, 2017 . July 26, 2022 . IndieWire.
  34. News: Leydon . Joe . January 5, 2013 . Houston critics fete Argo . Variety . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130603170323/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/houston-critics-fete-argo-1118064221/ . June 3, 2013.
  35. Web site: Stevens . Beth . February 11, 2013 . 2013 ICS Award Winners . https://web.archive.org/web/20150227190526/https://icsfilm.org/our-yearly-awards/2013-ics-award-winners/ . February 27, 2015 . July 26, 2022 . International Cinephile Society.
  36. Web site: Stevens . Beth . January 17, 2013 . 2013 ICS Award Nominees . https://web.archive.org/web/20150227144926/https://icsfilm.org/our-yearly-awards/2013-ics-award-nominees/ . February 27, 2015 . July 26, 2022 . International Cinephile Society.
  37. Web site: Amour Named Best Film by Los Angeles Film Critics. The Hollywood Reporter. Kilday. Gregg. December 9, 2012. July 26, 2022. December 11, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121211062601/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/amour-named-best-film-by-399661. live.
  38. Web site: December 11, 2012 . San Diego Film Critics Select Top Films for 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130530184640/http://www.sdfcs.org/san-diego-film-critics-select-top-films-for-2012/ . May 30, 2013 . July 26, 2022 . San Diego Film Critics Society.
  39. Web site: Knegt . Peter . December 17, 2012 . Silver Linings Sweeps 2012 Satellite Award Winners . https://web.archive.org/web/20170819103557/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/12/silver-linings-sweeps-2012-satellite-award-winners-42448/ . August 19, 2017 . July 26, 2022 . IndieWire.
  40. Web site: Knegt . Peter . December 9, 2012 . Washington Film Critics Go For Zero Dark Thirty, Day-Lewis, Chastain . https://web.archive.org/web/20180622060347/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/12/washington-film-critics-go-for-zero-dark-thirty-day-lewis-chastain-42613/ . June 22, 2018 . July 26, 2022 . IndieWire.
  41. Web site: Zero Dark Thirty Notches Three More Awards From Washington D.C. Area Critics. The Hollywood Reporter. Zakarin. Jordan. December 10, 2012. July 26, 2022. December 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121212011356/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/zero-dark-thirty-washington-dc-399793. live.
  42. News: Chagollan . Steve . April 16, 2013 . World Soundtrack Awards' Nominations Include Danna, Desplat, Marianelli and Newman . Variety . July 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160601012109/https://variety.com/2013/more/awards/ghents-world-soundtrack-awards-nominees-1200579709/ . June 1, 2016.
  43. Web site: Walls . Seth Colter . September 21, 2012 . The Master: Will Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood Get Locked Out of the Oscar Race Again? . https://web.archive.org/web/20120924024827/https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/will-the-masters-score-be-oscar-snubbed.html . September 24, 2012 . August 4, 2023 . Vulture . en-us.
  44. Web site: January 22, 2008 . Jonny Greenwood Denied an Oscar Nomination for Some Stupid Reason . https://web.archive.org/web/20140925064227/https://www.vulture.com/2008/01/jonny_greenwood_denied_an_oscar.html . September 25, 2014 . August 4, 2023 . Vulture . en-us.
  45. Web site: NME . January 22, 2008 . Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood's soundtrack ineligible for Oscar . https://web.archive.org/web/20180124185851/https://www.nme.com/news/music/jonny-greenwood-9-1337025 . January 24, 2018 . August 4, 2023 . NME . en-GB.
  46. Web site: Feinberg . Scott . September 16, 2012 . Feinberg Forecast: Scott Feinberg’s Initial Assessment of the Oscars Landscape . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201181559/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/feinberg-forecast-scott-feinbergs-initial-358642 . December 1, 2016 . August 4, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  47. Web site: Cunningham . Todd . October 15, 2012 . 'The Master' May Win Awards, But It's a Box Office Loser So Far . https://web.archive.org/web/20161109143846/https://www.thewrap.com/master-may-win-awards-box-office-loser-so-far-60791/ . November 9, 2016 . August 4, 2023 . TheWrap . en-US.

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

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