I watched this for the first time, after recently reading Thackeray's novel. I mostly enjoyed this miniseries, but the music! It was reminiscent of a few circus performances I recall attending. The music was hideously distracting, bufoonish at times, atonal, and mostly irritating. Too bad, since the adaptation itself was excellent.
shareI loved it! It was clashing and atonal and circus-like, but I felt that that was appropriate, since it reinforced the metaphor of the "stalls" and competing "attractions" of Vanity Fair. I do agree that one couldn't ignore it, though - so I think it must be the case that you either love it or loathe it.
shareYes I thought the music was hideous too. Totally didn't seem to fit with the era and setting. I can see what people mean about contrast but it's too much. It just bursts out at you. I think it probably stops me from watching the series as many times as i would generally be inclined. it just doesn't fit.
shareI'm rather a fan of Murray Gold, so I'm a bit biased when I say that I liked the score. I felt that it really emphasized how much a "farce" society is. Of course, though, I do believe it's a matter of taste, and the tone just pleased me while for others, it obviously didn't.
shareThe first time I watched it a few months ago I hated it. I thought it was awful, and when I saw that people actually wanted to buy the soundtrack I just about fainted. Then I started watching it again last night, having read the book now, and I think it's great! I'm still not going to buy the soundtrack, but I think it is very fitting and conveys the mood really well. Not the way I would have done it, but still it seems to be right. In my humble opinion.
shareI thought the score was brilliant! A friend who shares my passion for period movies owned a copy of this series, and I borrowed it to watch. I got less than a minute in before I turned it off, due to the horrible, unatmospheric music. A week or so later I decided to give it a second chance, and am SO glad I did. The music is just exquisite! Obviously it is not the first word that comes to mind, but after being acquainted with the characters, plot and theme of the movie, I came to regard it very highly. It is the original, quirky and inelegant nature of the music that seperates this from any other production set in a similar era. The fact that they strayed so far from- almost to the polar opposite of- pretty Bach allegros (which I love and cherish!) only serves the purpose of the story. This being to get below the superficial, romanticised, 'twee' portrayals of the era in many other films (which I love and cherish!).
I loved it's grittiness, and came to find it entracingly atmospheric.
Yeah I definately agree with you now. I own it now too.
shareThe music is hilarious. This is a parody, and as comedy to loud racous music is a bold but perfect choice.
It's too bad that it will turn off some people. But to true VF fans (it's in my top 5 list of favorite novels EVER) it supplements the film very well.
Having composed myself I can say this is excellent music writing, the man has talent and more. As far as it being intrusive that is subjective, some like me like the contrast others seem to prefer if it were more traditional.
shareI really love the music, but I think the sound editors mucked it up by blasting it so loudly when it comes up. I completely understand and agree with the effect they're going for, and it works well except it's just too blasted loud. I always have to keep the remote control handy while watching this program, so I can reduce the volume as needed.
shareGranted, it is not the type of music I would list to, to enjoy. However, I think it was very fitting - in fact, *perfect* - for the story. Yes, a lot of it was carnival-like and brash, but I feel it was representative of Thackeray's portrayal of society at the time.
shareI absolutely agree with the OP.
The music was beyond hideous.
I found it distracting and brash, it really spoiled the atmosphere of the drama.
"Equitare, arcum tendere,veritatem dicere."
I just finished watching the miniseries, and I feel a bit torn about the score. At first I thought it was brilliant. Like so many other posters here, I loved how it played up the farce of the story. I also loved how it would speed up to give an almost nightmarish feel. It seemed to mirror the lack of control that the characters really had over society, despite all their petty schemes. However, as I continued the music really started to wear on me. I especially hated it during the battle scene- a part that I felt showed a seriousness that should act as a contrast to the ridiculous depictions of society rather than be covered up with the same boisterous, humorous music. Besides this instance, it simply became tedious.
Nonetheless, there were some scenes that the score worked wonderfully with. If nothing else it was a breath of fresh air.
This looks like an old topic, but I just began watching the series and thought the exact same thing. I guess the composer wanted to demonstrate the circus-like world of the upper class - I kept thinking of Becky Sharp walking the high wire - but still, not pleasant music to listen to.
It's strange because every other BBC movie has beautiful, brilliant music, i.e. Carl Davies for 1995 Pride and Prejudice, John Keane for Wives and Daughters, the score for He Knew He Was Right.
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Ugh! The music completely ruined this film for me. I think I understand the *why* of how it was done, but I don't care...it was awful. I LOVE music and listen to nearly all kinds. But the score here was incredibly jarring, discordant, out of place. Some pretty good acting performances, and some great humor, but honestly, that music!
I stopped watching at the beginning of episode three. It was beginning to feel like an endurance contest.