Brief Summary
This video explores how personal experiences and associations can influence the interpretation of film scores, using examples from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It examines how musical tropes and cliches develop over time, shaping our understanding of music in media. The video also discusses the subjectivity of music analysis and the potential for misinterpreting a composer's intentions, using examples from "Ant-Man," "Captain Marvel," and "Avengers: Endgame."
- Musical tropes and cliches develop over time, shaping our understanding of music in media.
- Personal experiences and associations can influence the interpretation of film scores.
- It's possible to misinterpret a composer's intentions.
Introduction
The speaker introduces the topic of musical interpretation in film, particularly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He expresses his enjoyment of the "Avengers: Endgame" score but suggests that he might have initially "listened to it wrong," implying a personal misinterpretation of the music's intended message.
Music in a Bubble
The author explains that music doesn't exist in isolation but builds on itself over time, leading listeners to develop associations with specific patterns and tropes. He illustrates this point with the example of the saxophone, tracing its association with romance and sexuality back to jazz music in the 1920s and its use in films like "A Streetcar Named Desire." These associations become shortcuts for conveying meaning in media.
Ant-Man Theme
The speaker analyzes the "Ant-Man" theme, explaining how composer Christophe Beck used an asymmetrical time signature (7/8) to create a sense of momentum, similar to the "Mission: Impossible" theme (5/4). He also notes the jazzy instrumentation reminiscent of James Bond films, contributing to a secret-agent feel. However, the speaker admits that his lack of familiarity with these films led him to associate the theme more with "The Incredibles," highlighting how personal experiences can alter musical interpretation.
Captain Marvel Theme
The speaker discusses the "Captain Marvel" theme and how its opening motif reminded him of the "Star Trek" theme, particularly "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He acknowledges the subjectivity of this association, noting that it could be due to the film's space setting or a subconscious influence on the composer, Pinar Toprak. This example illustrates how musical analysis can be subjective and dependent on individual experiences.
Avengers: Endgame Portals Scene
The speaker analyzes the music in the portals scene from "Avengers: Endgame," noting its resemblance to Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," which inspired John Williams's "Superman" theme. He suggests that composer Alan Silvestri may have been intentionally emulating this style to evoke a classic heroic sound. The piece also modulates six times, possibly representing the original six Avengers or the six Infinity Stones.
Personal Interpretation of the Portals Theme
The speaker shares his unique interpretation of the portals theme, noting that its initial motif reminded him of the Linkin Park song "In the End." He acknowledges that this association is likely unintentional and could be due to his own subjective listening experience. He also considers the possibility that the theme is a variation on Thanos' theme, representing a musical response to the events of "Infinity War."
Conclusion
The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering a composer's intentions when analyzing music, as well as acknowledging the subjectivity of musical interpretation. He reflects on how his initial misinterpretations of the "Endgame" score led him to a deeper appreciation of Silvestri's work. He encourages viewers to be mindful of their own biases and associations when listening to music in media.
