Dracula

Music by John Williams

 

 

 

 

 

With its first rate production, Dracula (1979) directed by John Badham was a movie little noticed at his time and unfairly forgotten. The cinematic moment had its attention linked to space adventures.

Star Wars, Close Encounters and Alien were the big hits and Dracula, with its Gothic "old fashion" austerity, wasn´t much noticed by audiences and media. The same occurred to John William´s soundtrack. With a sharp gothic touch in the violins lines and a majestic main theme, the soundtrack is a large suite of variations over the main theme. Curiously the composer does not exceed the instrumentation and flourishes and keep exemplary expressive he arrangements. Assuming the classic romanticism and tonality, Dracula displays tragic moods, sometimes sensual passages, but always with elegance and precision. Alternative thematic material is heard on the vibrant scherzo To Scarborough – one of the hallmarks of the composer. The climatic The Bat Attacks is almost abstract. In contrast to the dark and nocturnal atmospheres, the track For Mina, sounds strangely evocative and romantic and The Love Scene is one of the best moments of the track and the film. In conclusion, Dracula's Death and End Titles concludes Dracula with tragic grandeur. Although not often mentioned, Dracula was a work that certified the versatility of the composer in his consecration period.