THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS.

 

 

THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS, has a musical score composed by Nathan Barr, the music has a unique and innovative sound to it, the composer not only utilising conventional instrumentation, but turning to a Wurlitzer organ which was originally built for Fox studios in 1928. The composer spent five years restoring and re-building this incredible instrument and on listening to the score for THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS I have to say it was certainly worth all the effort and the love that must have gone into the project. The soundtrack has its own original sound and lends its style and overall sound to the movie, enhancing and supporting as the plot unfolds. In fact, I would say that the score is more than just a supportive element of the production, but more like an important and highly integral component of the movie. The expressiveness and energy of the music creating an otherworldly and at times mystical atmosphere. I am not sure how much of a role that the Wurlitzer took as in what percentage of the music and sounds were created via it, but it certainly has given the work a resounding and haunting musical heart and sound. The music is filled with a magical and mysterious persona.

 

 

 

Dramatic and fast paced at times this is an entertaining soundtrack and one that in my opinion is up there with the Harry Potter scores as well as having to it its own individuality. The richness of the music shining through and attracting the listener holding their attention throughout. It has an almost impish or mischievous quality about it and I think therefore making it such an alluring score, the composer being inventive as always in his approach to scoring and orchestrating the music. The final track on the soundtrack THE MIGHTY WURLITZER is a grand and awesome sounding cue and within it I sensed the sounds and styles of the golden age of the film score, its powerful and growling sound arousing one’s interest, but then the instrument is heard performing lighter or more melancholy passages and themes, showing its versatility.

 

I have to say that this is a score that is awash with themes both dramatic and lush and it certainly does evoke a sound and style of film music from a bygone age. It could be Bernard Herrmann, Alfred Newman or Miklos Rozsa we are listening to here. Entertaining, mesmerising and fun. Highly recommended.