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| SOUNDTRACKS |
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| Bernard Herman's recording for Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO could be called the "father" of the modern horror movie soundtrack. The key themes presented in the film matched that of any well done film. Many films that followed duplicated the haunting all-string melodies, including the legendary shower scene. But in 1978, John Carpenter deviated from the usual screeching music of horror films and created an all piano/synthesizer work. John Carpenter's father was a music teacher in his Kentucky hometown. John is a filmmaker of many trades...writing, directing, and creating creepy music for his films.Carpenter had the score for HALLOWEEN prepared in his mind long before the film was completed. The repetitive use of key themes allowed viewers to identify with characters, much like the STAR WARS soundtrack. The haunting stalking sequences contained a "heart-beat" musical selection, pulsing and pounding with a terrifying "alarm-clock" sound wringing out audience's pleas over the beat. Carpenter enlisted Alan Howarth to help with the sequel's music. Together, they revived the thematic songs which made the original such a hit, but adding a gothic organ-like presence to the themes. With Carpenter's departure from the series in 1988, Alan Howarth took over the reigns, creating scores for Part 4, 5, and The Curse of Michael Myers. Each of the films contained the "Halloween Theme." Howarth not only created fresh new music for the sequels, but also used "Laurie's Theme," "The Myers' House," and "The Shape Stalks" in his further work. For 1998's HALLOWEEN H20, John Ottman was enlisted to score the work in a more Hermann-esque way. Using full orchestration, he created an entirely new sound, only alluding to key themes at certain intervals. After the film was scored, executives at Miramax decided to bring in Maro Beltrami, of SCREAM fame, to add additional music and re-score some of Ottman's work. Clips from his SCREAM and MIMIC soundtracks were also included in H20. The original film's soundtrack was only released in Japan, but due to the success of HALLOWEEN, it and its follow-ups were released by Varese Sarabande label in the United States. A special 20th Anniversary soundtrack for the original HALLOWEEN was even released. These are truly a "must have" for any HALLOWEEN fans. |
| HALLOWEEN - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Music Composed and Performed by John Carpenter 1. Halloween Theme - Main Title (2:55) 2. Laurie's Theme (2:04) 3. Shape Escapes (1:42) 4. Meyers' House (5:34) 5. Michael Kills Judith (3:10) 6. Loomis and Shape's Car (3:31) 7. "The Haunted House" (3:32) 8. The Shape Lurks (1:34) 9. Laurie Knows (3:01) 10. Better Check The Kids (3:25) 11. The Shape Stalks (3:09) The song "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster cult also appears in the film, but not on the soundtrack. Carpenter and a few of his friends formed a group called the Coup DeVilles. An uncredited song by this group can be heard as Laurie gets into Annie's car. Carpenter credits himself as the "Bowling Green Orchestra" for performing this score. |
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