For as long as I can remember I have always had a deep appreciation and ever-growing fascination for music. In the days of my youth (during the good old '90s), I was pretty much saturated with music by watching Disney movies. Most of my mornings in particular (whether accompanied by a sibling or not) were spent watching "Disney's Sing-A-Long Songs" with that blue owl you definitely remember but don't at the same time.
This is not to say that my appreciation is solely for musicals (although I do love a good musical). According to a child development textbook I've studied in my field, this early exposure of music in my life probably influenced why I love music, why I chose to minor in music, and why I can play multiple instruments. In cooperation with the title of this article, it may also connect to why I prefer instrumental/soundtracks as opposed to other genres.
Why I suspect this is the recollection of what I characterized as enjoyable movies back then (including movies outside of Disney). For the film not only had some kind of fun singing part to it, but held engaging, riveting, mysterious, heartwarming, and notable musical textures within its score which enhanced the movie. I mean, who didn't feel enchanted by the scores of some of these films?! Some examples: "The Bells of Notre Dame" from Disney's "Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Prologue" from 20th Century Fox's "Anastasia", and "Deliver Us" from Dreamwork's "The Prince of Egypt".
Outside of liking how the music sounded, after taking college courses for my minor, I matured in my enjoyment and became fascinated by the applications of textures, and instruments to describe feelings, emotions, portray scenes, characters and events in the film. Not to forget on stage performances like "Le Mis" or "Phantom of the Opera".
This form (or genre) which separates itself from Classical genres, notonly manages to utilize multiple instruments in the orchestra, but holds a specific auditory message for its viewers. Its constructs to portray that message are immensely complex to bring the world of the story to life through sound. Howard Shores' "The Shire" theme from "The Lord of the Rings" is a brilliant example of this. We receive through the sounds of the orchestra inflections about the simple life Hobbits have in the Shire. The choice of the solo instrument, the choice of notes for the baseline, the placement of humorous pauses, the use of a harpsichord, to the wide sweeping sounds of the strings, is all for a reason. Each time I listen to the piece, it is almost as if I can smell blooming flowers catching on a summer breeze. To inset this feeling in its audience I believe, is music at its finest.
Film composers I greatly enjoyed as a kid and still today due to their work in cinema, I recognize: Hans Zimmer, Alan Menken, James Horner, John Powell, Dario Marianelli, John Williams, James Newton Howard, Harry Gregson-Williams, Brian Tyler, Michael Giacchino, and Howard Shore (just to name a few) for their brilliance and mastery to create the world and characters of the films they were tasked to portray.
The passion I have for music is invigorated by composers such as these. The film's they were tasked to prepare music for not only has drawn my admiration, but incredible appreciation for the way each composer in their own style, gave characters depth, brought a world into auditory reality, and emotions across the screen.
For the multiple times I found myself listening to this genre, the music draws something from you. As Classical music has been shown in research to elicit a response on spatial and numerical tasks, so do I believe film scores capable of the same. Take John Williams for example. For me, listening to his film scores encourages self-reflection ("Rey's Theme"), empowerment ("The Throne Room"), has a miraculous way of prompting an adventurous attitude ("Prologue from Hook") and ones imagination ("Hedwigs Theme"). These are just a few of the many effects this kind of compositional work can generate from your innermost being. The very fact that this response is so prevalent enhances my endearment towards the genre.
While I do enjoy many other genres of music, compositions for film scores will continue to be my favorite.
