The Burial (Amazon Original Motion Picture Score) is the score album to the 2023 film of the same name directed by Maggie Betts and starred Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx. Featuring musical score by Michael Abels, the soundtrack featuring 23 cues from his score, released on October 6, 2023 through Amazon Content Services.
| The Burial (Amazon Original Motion Picture Score) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Film score by | ||||
| Released | October 6, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Film score | |||
| Length | 34:58 | |||
| Label | Amazon Content Services | |||
| Producer | Michael Abels | |||
| Michael Abels chronology | ||||
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Background edit
The original cut opened on an establishing shot of a tree in a grassy field, that served as an unmarked burial ground for enslaved Africans in North America and underscored "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"[a] in organ to sound like a funeral, but after the shot was replaced, Abels composed a theme similar to that piece which was a series of downward triplets composed by using French horn.[citation needed]
Both the director and composer agreed that the film should have a classical score, contrasting the 1990s hip hop music used as needle drops and throwing the audience off balance. He played a woodwind motif in the first act where the case is first explained that makes the audience question. He said "When you have woodwinds and you have that space between the notes, it kind of makes you go [...] Every nugget of information that goes in in the beginning, we need people to keep track of those so that when it all starts to fit together, they’re with us."[1]
Another theme was curated using waltz motif for piano and harp when the scene showcases the underhanded deal between the funeral corporation and the Black church. At the end credits, which showcases a shot of the burial ground, Abels rearranged another piece of "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring" that also interweaves the main theme he had composed for.[1]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "You Done Good" | 0:57 |
| 2. | "Call Me a Child of God" | 0:46 |
| 3. | "A Family Business" | 1:32 |
| 4. | "A Bit of Trouble" | 0:58 |
| 5. | "That Tall Kid" | 0:54 |
| 6. | "Settlement Offer" | 1:06 |
| 7. | "Filing the Lawsuit" | 0:28 |
| 8. | "No Intention of Closing" | 0:59 |
| 9. | "The Yacht" | 1:37 |
| 10. | "Family Is Everything" | 1:35 |
| 11. | "Wake Up" | 1:56 |
| 12. | "Willie's Apology" | 0:39 |
| 13. | "No Need to Say Sorry" | 1:38 |
| 14. | "The Hotel Bar" | 1:40 |
| 15. | "Gonna Have Him On Cross" | 2:47 |
| 16. | "The Deal With the Black Church" | 1:32 |
| 17. | "Cemetery Without Headstones" | 1:06 |
| 18. | "Objection Overruled" | 1:06 |
| 19. | "One History on Top of Another" | 2:45 |
| 20. | "Turning the Tide" | 1:42 |
| 21. | "The Verdict Is Read" | 2:28 |
| 22. | "See You on the Trail" | 1:02 |
| 23. | "Quodlibet – Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" | 3:45 |
| Total length: | 34:58 | |
Reception edit
James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "The whole thing’s got drama and emotion and, needless to say, given the length (also 1990s style!) doesn’t threaten for even a moment to outstay its welcome. It’s grown-up film music and I heartily recommend it."[2] Patrice Witherspoon of Screen Rant wrote "Composer Michael Abels ensures that every emotion we’re supposed to feel is supported and amplified through his music."[3] Nick Schager of The Daily Beast wrote "Michael Abels’ score never resorts to excessive mawkishness".[4]
Accolades edit
Variety anticipated the score by Abels would be in contention for the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 96th Academy Awards.[5]
| Award | Date of Ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 15, 2023 | Original Score – Feature Film | Michael Abels | Nominated | [6] [7] |
Notes edit
- ^ an arrangement of 1723 Advent cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life), BWV 147, by Johann Sebastian Bach
References edit
- ^ a b Greiving, Tim (November 14, 2023). "Playful and profound, three film scores all help find the truth of the story". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Southall, James (October 15, 2023). "Review: The Burial". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Witherspoon, Patrice (September 13, 2023). "The Burial Review: Foxx & Jones Let Loose In Entertaining Courtroom Dramedy". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Schager, Nick (October 13, 2023). "Jamie Foxx Is So Irresistible He Even Rescues 'The Burial'". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (November 7, 2023). "Oscars Predictions: Original Score – Will Thomas Newman Garner His 16th Career Nom for 'Elemental?'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
- ^ Grein, Paul (November 2, 2023). "Songs from 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Brew, Caroline (November 2, 2023). "Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo Nominated for 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.