soundtrack – Page 22

Theme from “Ducktales”

The children’s animated series DuckTales ran for 100 episodes during the late 80s, featuring the full slate of Disney’s duck characters. The 1988 theme, a catchy pop earworm for sure, modulates upwards at 1:22, back down at 1:39, and upwards again at 2:00.

A Love That Will Last (from “The Princess Diaries 2”)

“A Love That Will Last,” performed by Renee Olstead, was featured in The Princess Diaries 2 (2004). The track was written by David Foster and Linda S. Thompson. The key change is at 2:39.

Enrico Pieranunzi | Jona Che Visse Nella Balena

Italian jazz pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, who has played with the likes of Chet Baker, Paul Motian, and Charlie Haden, released the trio album Play Morricone (2002) with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joey Baron. The album’s focus is the broad discography of composer Ennio Morricone, who has written over 400 scores for film and TV.

“Jona Che Visse Nella Balena” (Jonah Who Lived In The Whale), a solo track, modulates at 1:18, 2:36, and 4:10.

Spirit of the Season (from “The Polar Express”)

Weekend bonus mod: From our Twitter follower @PTMusicGrind comes “Spirit of the Season” from The Polar Express (2004). The piece was composed by Alan Silvestri, a multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee.

The piece is a parade of modulations; the first key change arrives at 0:33.

Into the Unknown (from “Frozen II”)

Thanks to longtime MotD fan and contributor Gus Connelly for finding this one — a rare downward modulation (by a minor third!) at 2:36, with the melody resolving to the major 7th scale degree of the new key. Featuring Idina Menzel, returning to her role as Elsa in Frozen 2 (2019).

Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You (from “Music Man”)

“Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You” is from Meredith Willson’s 1957 classic The Music Man. Great vocal arranging throughout, and a perfect key change at 1:46.

Trial Before Pilate (from “Jesus Christ Superstar”)

From seasoned mod collector JB comes “Trial Before Pilate” from Jesus Christ Superstar. The show started as a rock opera concept album (1970), then debuted on Broadway in 1971.

“The UK’s Andrew Lloyd Webber has always been a sucker for hyperbole, but this has got to be the MotD version of ‘more cowbell’: I count at least two dozen mods, including at least 10 gratuitous half-steps in the ‘Crucify Him’ chorus. The only time the song stays in the same key for more than two bars is when Pilate is counting out 40 lashes.”

Lily’s Eyes (from “The Secret Garden”)

Featuring one of the great modulations in the musical theatre canon, “Lily’s Eyes” is from the 1991 Broadway musical The Secret Garden (1991), music by Lucy Simon and lyrics and book by Marsha Norman. Sung here by original cast members Mandy Patinkin and Robert Westenberg, the modulation is at 3:22 (the song starts at 0:53).

On My Way (from “Violet”)

“On My Way” is the opening number of the first show I music directed at my alma mater, St. Olaf College — Jeanine Tesori‘s VIOLET. It sets the stage beautifully for the show, thanks in large part to the key changes! The song starts in F major and modulates to D at 1:42. At 2:30 there is a transitory bridge before a return to D at 2:57, and a final shift up a step to E at 3:32. This recording is from the 2014 Broadway production starring Sutton Foster.

Beyonce | Spirit (from “The Lion King”)

“Spirit” by Beyoncé, featured in the 2019 remake of The Lion King movie, was reviewed by Slate.com‘s Carl Wilson as an “award-baiting piece of Hollywood-goes-gospel.” After an intro built around choristers singing in Swahili, Beyonce shows off not only her trademark fluid melisma, but also the far edges of her range, both high and low. The half-step modulation is at 3:30.