Emma (Original Score) is the soundtrack accompanying the 1996 film of the same name based on Jane Austen's 1816 novel. It features the original score written by British composer Rachel Portman and released through Hollywood Records on 29 July 1996. At the 69th Academy Awards, Portman won the Best Original Musical or Comedy Score, thereby becoming the first woman to win the Academy Award.[1][2]
| Emma (Original Score) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Film score by | ||||
| Released | 29 July 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1996 | |||
| Studio | AIR Lyndhurst Hall, AIR, London | |||
| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 42:45 | |||
| Label | Hollywood | |||
| Producer | Rachel Portman | |||
| Rachel Portman chronology | ||||
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Development
editPortman told Rebecca Jones from the BBC that her score was "purely classical". She continued "It is an orchestral piece, by which I mean that there is nothing in it that you wouldn't find in a symphony orchestra. It was influenced by my roots and my classical background."[3] Portman used various instruments to give a voice to the characters. She revealed that "a quivering violin" would represent Harriet's uneasy stomach, while "a bittersweet clarinet" would accompany Emma though her emotional journey.[4]
Reception
editJosh Friedman from the Los Angeles Times believed Portman's "crafty score guides the audience through the heroine's game playing, and ultimately, to her romantic destiny."[4] He also thought the music had "a sneaky, circular feel".[4] Playbill's Ken LaFave commented that the score "underlined the period romanticism" in Emma and contained a "string-rich, romantic sound".[5] Jason Ankeny, a music critic for Allmusic, wrote that Portman's score to Emma employed all of her "signatures" like "whimsical yet romantic melodies, fluffy string arrangements, and woodwind solos", which would be familiar to anyone who had listened to her previous film scores.[6] He stated, "it seems as if she's simply going through the motions, content to operate within the confines of an aesthetic that, admittedly, is hers and hers alone. By no means a bad score, Emma is nevertheless a disappointment – if you've heard a previous Rachel Portman score, you've pretty much heard this one as well."[6] Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks.com was critical of the film's music, adding that "Emma is far from her best work, and by no means deserved an Oscar over her other, stronger romance scores."[7]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Main Titles" | 4:26 |
| 2. | "Harriet's Portrait" | 1:10 |
| 3. | "Sewing and Archery" | 3:07 |
| 4. | "Frank Churchill Arrives" | 2:29 |
| 5. | "Celery Root" | 2:55 |
| 6. | "Mr. Elton's Rejection" | 1:58 |
| 7. | "Emma Tells Harriet About MrElton" | 1:05 |
| 8. | "The Coles Party" | 3:10 |
| 9. | "Mrs. Elton's Visit" | 1:32 |
| 10. | "Emma Dreams of Frank Churchill" | 0:49 |
| 11. | "The Dance" | 1:17 |
| 12. | "Gypsies" | 0:46 |
| 13. | "The Picnic" | 2:29 |
| 14. | "Emma Insults Miss Bates" | 1:59 |
| 15. | "Emma Writes Her Diary" | 2:53 |
| 16. | "Mr. Knightley Returns" | 1:57 |
| 17. | "Proposal" | 4:22 |
| 18. | "End Titles" | 4:21 |
| Total length: | 42:45 | |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from liner notes.[8]
- Composer, producer and orchestrator – Rachel Portman
- Conductor – David Snell
- Contractor – George Hamer
- Orchestra leader – Peter Manning
- Engineer – Keith Grant
- Flute – Linda Coffin
- Harp – Hugh Webb
- Clarinet – Nicholas Bucknall
Accolades
edit| Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards[9] | Best Original Musical or Comedy Score | Rachel Portman | Won |
References
edit- ^ Whitney, Hilary (13 December 1999). "Networking women". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (2 June 2022). "Zurich: 'Emma,' 'Chocolat' Composer Rachel Portman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Jones, Rebecca (13 August 2001). "Proms go to the movies". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ a b c Friedman, Josh (5 August 2002). "Music's Key Role in Movies' Moods". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ LaFave, Ken (1 February 2003). "Composer's Notes". Playbill. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Emma (Original Score)". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ Clemmensen, Christian (26 January 1997). "Emma (Rachel Portman)". Filmtracks.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ^ Rachel Portman. Emma (Music from the Miramax Motion Picture) (Media notes). Hollywood Records.
- ^ "The 69th Academy Awards (1997) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.