Kenneth LaFave - Experiencing Film Music: A Listeners Companion

Titles in The Listeners Companion provide readers with a deeper understanding of key musical genres and the work of major artists and composers. Aimed at nonspecialists, each volume explains in clear and accessible language how to listen to works from particular artists, composers, and genres. Looking at both the context in which the music first appeared and has since been heard, authors explore with readers the environments in which key musical works were written and performed.

Experiencing Beethoven: A Listeners Companion, by Geoffrey Block

Experiencing Billy Joel: A Listeners Companion, by Thomas MacFarlane

Experiencing Broadway Music: A Listeners Companion, by Kat Sherrell

Experiencing David Bowie: A Listeners Companion, by Ian Chapman

Experiencing Film Music: A Listeners Companion, by Kenneth LaFave

Experiencing Jazz: A Listeners Companion, by Michael Stephans

Experiencing Led Zeppelin: A Listeners Companion, by Gregg Akkerman

Experiencing Leonard Bernstein: A Listeners Companion, by Kenneth LaFave

Experiencing Mozart: A Listeners Companion, by David Schroeder

Experiencing Peter Gabriel: A Listeners Companion, by Durrell Bowman

Experiencing the Rolling Stones: A Listeners Companion, by David Malvinni

Experiencing Rush: A Listeners Companion, by Durrell Bowman

Experiencing Schumann: A Listeners Companion, by Donald Sanders

Experiencing Stravinsky: A Listeners Companion, by Robin Maconie

Experiencing Tchaikovsky: A Listeners Companion, by David Schroeder

Experiencing Verdi: A Listeners Companion, by Donald Sanders

Experiencing the Violin Concerto: A Listeners Companion, by Franco Sciannameo

A Listeners Companion

Kenneth LaFave

ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD

Lanham Boulder New York London

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: LaFave, Kenneth.

Title: Experiencing film music : a listeners companion / Kenneth LaFave.

Description: Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2017] | Series: The listener's companion | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016043501 (print) | LCCN 2016044142 (ebook) | ISBN 9781442258419 (cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781442258426 (electronic)

Subjects: LCSH: Motion picture musicAnalysis, appreciation.

Classification: LCC ML2075 .L32 2017 (print) | LCC ML2075 (ebook) | DDC 781.5/42dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016043501

TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

For my sons, Max and Emmett LaFave. May music
always be with you.

The goal of the Listeners Companion series is to give readers a deeper understanding of pivotal musical genres and the creative work of its iconic composers and performers. This is accomplished in an inclusive manner that does not necessitate extensive music training or elitist shoulder rubbing. Authors of the series place the reader in specific listening experiences in which the music is examined in its historical context with regard to both compositional and societal parameters. By positioning the reader in the real or supposed environment of the musics creation, the author provides for a deeper enjoyment and appreciation of the art form. Series authors, often drawing on their own expertise as both performers and scholars, deliver to readers a broad understanding of major musical genres and the achievements of artists within those genres as lived listening experiences.

As a student of music composition in graduate school, I was told by my professors on various occasions that while film music might be considered suitable for earning an income, it should not be equated with legitimate genres of music. It was somehow more temporary and rather pedestrian. While I cant argue with certainty that they were wrong, I can enthusiastically report that their opinions have proven irrelevant. Film music has fully embedded itself into the popular culture at all levels. For generations now, we can easily conjure up visions of shark attack by simply humming two notes back and forth. The playful theme from the Harry Potter movies is immediately recognizable by millions of muggles throughout the world. The hero themes in the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or TheLord of the Rings movies are equally familiar and prone to eliciting emotions of excitement. And community orchestras are able to program more esoteric concerts because of the revenue collected by their Music of Hollywood offerings.

Despite the worldwide recognition and acceptance of film music as a loved, relevant, and serious form, there is still a lack of academic writing on how to appreciate and listen to the genre. Fortunately, the Listeners Companion series is well positioned to address this issue and author Kenneth LaFave has completed this excellent book. I am most impressed by his ability to take music that is originally intended to support a visual medium and break it down in language without jargon in a manner that is educational without becoming ponderous. Film music has risen to new heights, and LaFave is the skilled communicator worthy of guiding us up to the vista.

Gregg Akkerman

I wish to thank Diane Daou for reading every word and for her unflagging encouragement along the way. For their various contributions of patience, critical observation, and general assistance, thanks go also to Gregg Akkerman, Natalie Mandziuk, Susan Simpson, and Emmett and Max LaFave.