Never Let Me Go (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2010 film of the same name directed by Mark Romanek starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley. The soundtrack featured musical score composed by Rachel Portman which was released on 14 September 2010 through Varèse Sarabande.
Development The film's score was composed by British composer Rachel Portman over a four-month period. She said that because of the film's sad themes, she wanted to "put some hope" and humanity into the music; it was important that there be a "real emotional heartbeat in the midst of this story." Believing that a "huge sweeping score" would not have fit the film, she instead worked with a smaller orchestra of no more than 48 players. The director and producers prodded her to try other approaches, so she considered using a child's voice, and what was described as a "big finale cue." In the end, they went for a simpler and more subtle approach. Stating that most of the score was written for piano, strings and harp, with solos for violin and cello, she called her score something of a "chamber piece". According to Portman, the use of a solo instrument, is like having a voice, that highlights the emotion. However, the violin she used for the score is played with virtually no vibrato, as she did not want it to sound sentimental. She notes that "for my own taste, I stay on the side of restraint, because I think it works better in film".
Critical reception Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks.com wrote "This score doesn't attempt to infuse any sense of gravity to the plot, a flaw that dutifully matches that of the film. As such, this is pleasant background ambience and really nothing more." Peter Debruge of Variety described it as "effectively grief-inducing" and Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune called it as "aggressively fraught". In contrast, Mark Jenkins of NPR called it as "strident" and one of the "few outright blunders". Alexandra Coghlan of The Arts Desk wrote "Rachel Portman’s score – all wistful, unresolved string meanderings and tinkly atmospherics – says it all." Ed Gonzalez of Slant Magazine called the score as "obnoxiously persistent" and "something close to a pop standard".
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic
Composer – Rachel Portman Producer – Chris Dibble, Rachel Portman, Yann McCullough Recording engineer – Chris Dibble Assistant recording engineer – Jeremy Murphy Mastering – Chris Dibble Music editor – Yann McCullough Music supervisors – George Drakoulias, Randall Poster Auricle control systems – Chris Cozens Executive producer – Robert Townson Musical assistance – Karen Westropp, Youki Yamanoto Music business affairs – Tom Cavanaugh Executive in charge of music – Robert Kraft
Orchestra Orchestrators – Jeff Atmajian, Rachel Portman Conductor – David Snell Contractor – George Hamer Music co-ordinator – Rebecca Morellato Copyist – Colin Rae
Instruments Cello – Paul Watkins Harp – Hugh Webb Piano – Helen Crayford Violin – Marcia Crayford
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result San Diego Film Critics Society14 December 2010 Best Score Rachel Portman
References