Many television shows present soundtracks with popular artists and popular songs to draw the viewer into the drama, action or comedic moments of the show. Some of the best soundtracks, however, are the instrumental soundtracks accompanied by orchestras or symphonies.
One of the best current soundtracks to accompany a television show is the soundtrack to ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” a fantasy show based on fairytales.
The score, composed by Mark Isham, is a beautiful score that showcases not only the large action sequences with a full orchestra, but also shows the quiet and loving moments in the show.
The sequences are paired perfectly with every situation in the show, causing the audience to feel the emotions of the characters.
Each character has their own theme constructed into the orchestrations of the show. Every part of the score has the purpose of connecting the characters to the audience, and Isham has certainly succeeded in this aspect.
Many shows utilize popular songs to draw in young viewers, but shows that only contain scores have the ability to connect with characters and have the ability for viewers to give in to the suspense and action of the show.
Since the score flows with all aspects of the television show, the music builds suspense until the climax of the episode. Scores sometimes can represent the action and drama in a scene more adequately than music written by popular bands.
Another show with a fantastic soundtrack is HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” a fantasy show based on George R.R. Martin’s series “A Song of Fire and Ice.” The music — composed by Ramin Djawadi — is a rousing score that fits in well with the themes presented in “Game of Thrones.”
The opening theme, creatively titled “Main Title,” is a sweeping song that prepares the viewer for the episode. It crescendos in exactly the right places and is still beautiful when listened to without the rest of the score.
Truthfully, when I watch an episode of “Game of Thrones,” I can never seem to fast-forward through the opening theme song. The rest of the “Game of Thrones” soundtrack represents important situations at pivotal points in the show.
The “Game of Thrones” soundtrack for the second season includes a song titled “The Rains of Castamere,” written by Ramin Djawadi and George R.R. Martin and performed by the band, The National.
The National is the perfect band to perform “The Rains of Castamere” because the lead singer, Matt Berninger, has the baritone voice that embodies the one of the song.
Even action shows, like “Hawaii Five-O,” utilize a musical opening theme and score to represent the show.
With a classic opening theme written for the original “Hawaii Five-O,” the show’s themes and characters are showcased perfectly in a catchy, upbeat song.
