Love & Friendship (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack accompanying the 2016 period film Love & Friendship directed by Whit Stillman. The album consisted of the musical score composed by Mark Suozzo and opening theme composed by Benjamin Esdraffo, along with reworkings of several classical pieces from the late 18th century conducted by Suozzo and performed by the Irish Film Orchestra. The album was released through Sony Classical Records on 6 May 2016.
Background Mark Suozzo composed the score for Love & Friendship after doing so for all of Stillman's previous films. He recorded the film's score at the Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin during August 2728, 2015 where he would also conduct the orchestral sessions performed by the Irish Film Orchestra. French composer Benjamin Esdraffo wrote two themes for the film—which includes the opening harp theme—and additional pieces contributing the film score. Suozzo wrote fewer musical cues.
The film accompanied instrumental renditions of works from classical composers such as William Boyce, George Frideric Handel, Henry Purcell, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Vivaldi and Ludwig van Beethoven. According to Stillman, while Austen's novel was set during the 1790s, he felt that he used works earlier so that it could "reflect the spirit of the piece" better. Stillman's likeness for baroque music was also instrumental in his musical selections. Film editor Sophie Curra helped on selecting specific music from the time period. while Etienne Jardin, an expert on period music, helped Stillman with the musical research on works from French composers. Most of the musical pieces from Suozzo's score were included in the editing process with the beginning of the credits, as according to Stillman, "every line is coordinated with the music, with the graphics as they appear" which he considered important while editing the film in synchronous to the music.
Reception Justin Chang of Variety wrote "the tuneful accompaniment of Benjamin Esdraffo and Mark Suozzo’s piano-and-strings score [...] hums along so mellifluously that you could easily enjoy it with your eyes closed". James Manheim of AllMusic wrote "The soundtrack, in short cuts, effectively captures the quick rhythms of Stillman's film and for that reason will likely satisfy fans of the film."
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from liner notes:
Mark Suozzo – composer, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, producer Benjamin Esdraffo – composer (tracks: 1, 24), additional music, arranger, producer Tomas Peire Serrate – orchestrator, arranger, programmer, additional music Stephen McLaughlin – music recording engineer, music scoring mixer The Irish Film Orchestra – performer Crux Vocal Ensemble – performer Paul McGough – choral contractor, vocalist William Butt – cello David Adams – continuo Dianne Marshall – harp David Weiss – woodwinds Archie Chen – piano Chloë Martin – vocals Sarah Brady – vocals Etienne Jardin – music advisor Poppy Kavanagh – music production assistant
References