Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score) is the film score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams to the 2004 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek 2 which is the second instalment in the Shrek franchise and a sequel to Shrek (2001). The score album was released on December 7, 2004, under the Varèse Sarabande label and received a nomination for Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production.
Background Shrek composer Harry Gregson-Williams returned to score the sequel, without the involvement of co-composer John Powell as both of them had amicably parted ways to refrain from being pigeonholed and focus more on individual projects. Gregson-Williams added that the score is what binds the film together, which helps in narrating the story. Gregson-Williams borrowed most of the main themes from the first film while also scoring newer themes for specific sequences and new characters.
Reception Peter Simons of Movie Music UK wrote: "It doesn't really come as surprise that Harry Gregson-Williams is able to produce a stunning score for Shrek without the aid of the original co-composer John Powell, as Gregson-Williams has already proven to be an excellent composer on his own [...] While there was little actually wrong with the original Shrek score, it somehow didn't quite satisfy me – perhaps the cues were a bit too short and too varied to make for a coherent album. This sequel seems a little more focused and also relies on the orchestra a bit more than its predecessor, making it a more rewarding album to listen to overall." Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks called "Shrek 2 is an improvement over its predecessor".
James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote "Choirs, Renaissance-style marches, and big-band numbers co-exist with nary an awkward segue, resulting in a finished product that's undeniably superficial, but as mischievous and likeable as the ogre himself". Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles wrote "[Shrek 2] lacks the highlights of the first score, yet giving us a much smoother listen in the process". Ain't It Cool News-based critic wrote "The score by Harry-Gregson Williams was top notch".
Track listing
When Shrek's friends break him out of prison, the central motif from Mission: Impossible by Lalo Schifrin is heard as Pinocchio descends on puppet strings as another allusion to the television and film franchise.
Personnel Credits adapted from liner notes:
Music composer and producer – Harry Gregson-Williams Additional music – James McKee Smith, Stephen Barton Engineer – Meri Gavin, Olga Fitzroy, Toby Chu Recording – Nick Wollage Mixing – Alan Meyerson Music editor – Mark Jan Wlodarkiewicz Executive producer – Robert Townson Musical assistance – Gregg Silk, Jake Jackson Music coordinator – Julie Keel, Ken Smith Music preparation – Tony Stanton Package design – Matthew Joseph Peak Music business affairs – Lenny Wohl Executive in charge of music – Sunny Park Music clearance – Julie Butchko Orchestra Orchestra – London Symphony Orchestra Conductor – Harry Gregson-Williams Orchestra leader – Gavyn Wright Orchestra contractor – Isobel Griffiths Instrument Baritone saxophone – Dave Bishop Cello – Jonathan Williams, Paul Kegg Clarinet – Nicholas Bucknall Double bass – Allen Walley, Steve McManus Electric violin – Hugh Marsh Flute – Anna Noakes French horn – Richard Bissill Guitar – Heitor Pereira Harp – Skaila Kanga Harpsichord – Robert King Tenor saxophone – Jamie Talbot Trombone – Eric Crees, Peter Davies Trumpet – Andy Crowley, Daniel Newell Viola – Bruce White, Jake Walker, Rachel Bolt Violin – Everton Nelson, Mark Berrow, Tom Pigott-Smith, Warren Zielinski Choir Choir – Metro Voices Alto vocals – Heather Cairncross, Sarah Simmonds Bass vocals – Andrew Playfoot, Michael Dore, Russell Scott Soprano vocals – Morag MacKay, Sarah Eyden Tenor vocals – Tom Pearce
Accolades Award Category Name Result Annie Awards Music in an Animated Feature Production Harry Gregson-Williams BMI Film & TV Awards BMI Film Music Award Harry Gregson-Williams International Film Music Critics Association Best Original Score for a Comedy Film Harry Gregson-Williams World Soundtrack Awards Soundtrack Composer of the Year Harry Gregson-Williams Best Original Soundtrack of the Year Harry Gregson-Williams
References