Walden Media have updated their Narnia Educator’s website with a new "Musical Explorations" section which features an interview with composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Also included is a sound clip from the movie entitled ‘Mr. Tumnus Narnian Lullaby.’
In the interview, Harry Gregson-Williams talks about his work on the score for the upcoming adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Q: Why is music important in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
A: As with most movies, music is an important tool. In LWW, because the “world” that it is set in—Narnia—is a place of fantasy, there needs to be a magical quality to many scenes. Music can help this feeling. Also, as seen through the eyes of the four children, it is important that the music reflects their journeys, both physical and spiritual.
Q: How do you compose each character’s music? What elements do you consider when composing a character’s music?
A: I watch the film over and over again getting to know the characters involved and from that a musical idea is hatched. A Theme. I try to find something extra that the music can say about this character other than what is immediately obvious on screen. The character Mr. Tumnus was fairly straight forward for me as he actually plays a musical instrument on camera. The instrument he plays does not exist and is a figment of a Prop Maker’s imagination, so I was able to chose what sound I thought it might make. I ended up with a Duduk, which not only sounded like it was coming form his instrument, but provided a mysterious, beautiful tone for me to utilize.
Q: What drew you to working on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
A: The fact that I had read the books as a youngster and loved them. Also, Andrew Adamson—the Director—and I have a relationship as I scored his two previous films…Shrek & Shrek 2. Knowing the people you are working with really helps.
You can read the rest of the interview here .
You can listen to the ‘Mr. Tumnus Narnian Lullaby’ sound clip here .
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