2012 didn’t start off strongly for film, television and video game music. Up until the beginning of October I was ready to crown this past year one of the most forgettable on record. I only had roughly 3-4 scores on my top 10 list and was wondering if I would have enough to fill that list by the end of the year. Then in mid-October the flood gates opened and one great new score after another was being released and for months the wealth of great music continued to flow. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a greater film, television or video game music comeback the way I did in 2012.
A few weeks into the new year I was still discovering more fantastic music from 2012. My list wasn’t finalized until a few minutes before recording the show, which I recorded on Monday, January 14th – the day I unveiled the first two scores of the year. Looking over the list now, I think it is one of the more eclectic best of lists I’ve ever presented.
This program will be featuring music from film and TV shows from all over the world – Japan, Finland and Spain just to name a few. For only the second time in the 16 year history of Cinematic Sound Radio a documentary score has cracked the top 10. This list also contains music from not one, not two but from three television scores. That’s a new record! And I’m featuring two composers on this list that I have never featured on the program before.
With all that to consider Cinematic Sound Radio is presenting yet another first. For the first time ever I will be presenting 11 scores on the best of 2012 program. I just couldn’t leave off any of these wonderful scores.
Overall, 2012 might not be the greatest film music year ever but for me it will be one of the most memorable. I hope you enjoy the show.
#1 | JOHN CARTER (Michael Giacchino)
Cinematic Sound Radio’s choice for best score of 2012 goes to Michael Giacchino’s awe-inspiring score to Andrew Stanton’s JOHN CARTER. Even though the film crashed and burned at the box office, Giacchino score soared with epic themes, romantic interludes and swashbuckling action music written for a full symphony orchestra and chorus. The score dazzles and impresses from start to finish!
#2 | THE IMPOSSIBLE (Fernando Velázquez)
The number 2 score of 2012 is Fernando Velázquez’s music from the emotional powerhouse, THE IMPOSSIBLE. The film tells the story of a Spanish family, consisting of father, mother and three children who managed to survive the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Velázquez’s mono-thematic score covers a wide variety of emotions; loneliness, sadness, suspense and horror but the highlight of the score is the phenomenal main theme that injects the heart with warmth, joy and relief. Keep a box of tissues nearby to wipe away the tears as you listen to this magnificent score.
#3 | THERE BE DRAGONS (Robert Folk)
The number 3 score of 2012 is Robert Folk’s replacement score for Roland Joffe’s Spanish Civil War epic, THERE BE DRAGONS. Stephen Warbeck wrote an original score for the first cut of the film in 2011 but when Roland Joffe recut the film in the fall of 2011 he commissioned a new score to be written. Robert Folk was hired and provided the film with an old-school, traditional, multi-thematic symphonic sound that was inspired by some of the greatest scores in film music history.
#4 | LINCOLN (John Williams)
John Williams’ score to Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN enters the countdown at number 4. Williams’ brilliantly spotted score is uncharacteristically restrained. Drawing inspiration from Aaron Copland and Williams’ own compositions for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, JFK and THE PATRIOT, Williams’ score is melodic, dramatic, noble – at times playful – and very delicate. Superbly performed by the renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus, Williams’ music hits all the right notes. This is a score that deserves your undivided attention.
#5 | SKYFALL (Thomas Newman)
The number 5 score of 2012 is from the 23rd James Bond film, SKYFALL. First-time Bond director Sam Mendes brought in his frequent collaborator Thomas Newman to write the score. Newman’s score is his take on what Bond music should sound like while at the same time still acknowledging the classic Bond sound that came before him. While Newman didn’t write any of his own new themes in this action-packed score, he did incorporate Adele’s title tune into the mix. He also manipulated, twisted and played around with Monty Norman’s classic Bond theme in some very creative ways.
#6 | PRICELESS (Naoki Sato)
Music from the Japanese TV series PRICELESS by Naoki Sato enters the countdown in at number 6. This bizarre show tells the tale of a businessman who loses everything and must learn from two small boys how eat and live without money. Sato’s score is magical and lush with lyrical sing-song-like themes that are ridiculously over the top. There are love themes, heroic themes and thrilling action music. It’s just a feel-good, old-fashioned score performed by a massive symphony orchestra and chorus.
#7 | LIFE OF PI (Mychael Danna)
Canadian composer and the newest Golden Globe award winner Mychael Danna’s score to Ang Lee’s spectacular film, LIFE OF PI, enters in at number 7. LIFE OF PI marks the third collaboration between Danna and director Lee. The music, in the composer’s words, “guides viewers by means of emotions through a film that raises big philosophical and religious questions.” Danna’s unique blend of western scoring and ethnic instrumentation makes this score one of the most inspirational and hypnotic listens of 2012.
#8 | METSAN TARINA (Panu Aaltio)
Panu Aaltio’s score to the Finnish documentary feature METSAN TARINA (A TALE OF A FOREST) is only the second documentary score in the 16-year history of Cinematic Sound Radio to enter a year-end best of chart. The score, like the film, is a wondrous journey full of lush themes, ethereal beauty, childlike playfulness, majestic fanfares and fluttering woodwinds. And the last track in this suite, “A Forest Adventure ” is the feel-good cue of 2012.
#9 | ISABEL (Federico Jusid)
Argentinian composer Federico Jusid’s powerful score to the Spanish TV series ISABEL enters the countdown at number 9. This grand symphonic score features thematic, lush, and emotionally charged music enhanced by breathtaking choir and solo voices. The series, which tells the tale of the life of Queen Isabella I of Castile, first aired in September 2012 and has been renewed for a second season with filming scheduled to begin in February 2013.
#10 (TIE) | RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (Alexandre Desplat)
The best scores of 2012 countdown begins with two scores tied for the number 10 spot. The first is Alexandre Desplat’s fantasy/adventure score to Peter Ramsey’s RISE OF THE GUARDIANS featuring the voice talents of Chris Pine, Alex Baldwin and Huge Jackman. Desplat was given a lot of creative freedom when writing this score and with that he crafted the most satisfying adventure score of his career.
#10 (TIE) | GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES (Frederik Wiedmann)
The other score tied with RISE OF THE GUARDIANS for the tenth best score of 2012 is GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES by Frederik Wiedmann. Fans of old-fashioned, leitmotivic adventure scores will find this score most satisfying. Wiedmann’s impressive collection of samples and synthesizers does a convincing job of mimicking a traditional symphony orchestra, which is complemented by the otherworldly sounds of an electric violin, electric cello and exotic woodwinds. Out of all the comic book scores to be released in 2012, this is the best of the bunch.
I totally understand why you “cheated” with choosing the top 12 instead of 10. I wrote and posted my best of ’12 and then realized there were some I didn’t know about that were also amazing. Oh, well, great choices to pick from this year!
It was a really good year for film, TV and video game music. A lot of hidden gems as well.
Bravo, bravo. Well done all the way around. My two cents: when and if you edit these together as one big show, resist the temptation to trim the commentary. Your snappy pro-style* is what separates you from the rest (including a certain professional out of New York…) Great job!
* this is, of course, what Perry White said about Clark Kent in 1978. So- how fast DO you type?
THANK YOU for putting the GLTAS score on this list! 😀 I absolutely adore it, and I listen to the soundtrack all the time! It’s really underrated by people who haven’t listened to the music by itself.
My pleasure, Sarah.
GREEN LANTERN:
Okay- either the automatic algorithms in sequencing programs have exponentially increased since Stephen Kay dreamt up the “K.A.R.M.A” system, or this guy put HUNDREDS of hours worth of sweat into programing and sequencing ALONE. AND he wrote the tunes! Fantastic.
Oh, yeah, I actually have a question. Was that “REMO WILLIAMS” as your intro music, or am I even more of a bonehead than I already admit to?
Yup! That’s was Remo Williams. Good ear!
The music from Isabel is absolutely gorgeous. But where do I buy it? I’ve scoured the internet for the album, but can’t find it anywhere. Not on Amazon Spain, not on iTunes, nowhere… I’d much prefer a real, physical album, but will settle for a download if that’s all there is. Any guidance, much appreciated.
Unfortunately, the score to Isabel isn’t commercially available. I got a promo via the composer.
Well, someone’s missing a trick here. It’s absolutely lovely.
Listened to #9 3 times. Never would have heard of that if not for the show. Thanks a lot- really excellent.
As I’ve said before- a lot of the attraction of these programs is the excellent commentary you provide- very interesting and entertaining, and very pro.
Great stuff, sir.
Hopefully – one day – the score to Isabel will see the light of day. It would be a perfect project for MovieScore Media to tackle, IMO.
Is there an official album release of “Isabel” out yet? your image shows a legit looking cover, but I can’t find anything about a soundtrack online, or maybe I’ve just missed it. Is this available somewhere, or still just floating around amongst critics?
There is no official album. The music I played on the program came from a composer promo. I created the art work you see on the site. I wish I had some better news for you.
Thanks for the list so far! I was able to find a copy of “Priceless” as I loved the samples. I would have never even heard of that album otherwise, so thanks very much, what a great soundtrack (a lot of fun!). I look forward to seeing your #1 & #2.
Great list, I loved The Impossible, thanks for bringing it to my attention.
NUMBER 1 is a very good choice!
The reason: John Carter ist that kind of music, which lets the heart of a movie-music-fan beating higher!
The movie is better than most people think. Its a shame, that this story will not become the planed triology.
But the score will always remebered, I think. And the movie will be classic like Willow today. Willow was not a big hit in 1988 but it is today a beloved movie classic. John Carter is for me already a classic!
Great list! The Impossible was my favorite score of the year. Glad to see it gets some recognition.
THANK YOU so much for posting the soundtrack of Isabel! I love it so much and it deserves this recognition! 🙂
You are more than welcome!
My top 10 :
1. Journey – Austin Wintory
2. The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey – Howard Shore, David Donaldson, David Long, Steve Roche & Janet Roddick
3. Lincoln – John Williams
4. Cloud Atlas – Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek
& Reinhold Heil
5. Isabel[Season 1] – Federico Jusid
6. Blancanieves – Alfonso de Vilallonga
7. Adventures in Zambezia – Bruce Retief
8. Anna Karenina – Dario Marianelli
9. Rise of the Guardians – Alexandre Desplat
10. The Impossible – Fernando Velazquez
Thanks for your contribution!