soundtrack – Page 29

Marian McPartland | Send In the Clowns

Here is Marian McPartland’s beautiful arrangement of Sondheim’s “Send In The Clowns” (1978), originally written for the 1973 musical A Little Night Music. There’s a dramatic key change at 3:13.

Arabian Nights (from “Aladdin”)

“Arabian Nights” is the opening number from the Broadway musical Aladdin (2014). There are a few internal modulations, but the big one is at 5:28.

Whitney Houston + Mariah Carey | When You Believe (from “The Prince of Egypt”)

Here’s the Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey duet “When You Believe” from The Prince of Egypt (1998). The whole song is definitely worth a listen, but pay particular attention around 3:43.

AJ Rafael (feat. Deedee Lynn Magno Hall) | Only Us (from “Dear Evan Hansen”)

Singer/songwriter AJ Rafael covers “Only Us” (2017) from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, featuring Deedee Lynn Magno Hall. The first modulation (1:43) somehow sneaks up on the listener gradually, while the second (2:55) clearly announces itself.

Stephen Soundheim (feat. Marin Mazzie) | Losing My Mind (from “Follies”)

Here’s the inimitable, much-missed Marin Mazzie singing “Losing My Mind” from Sondheim’s Follies (1970). This performance is just exquisite, and the key change at about 3:00 is a highlight.

Stefon Harris + Blackout | Until

A beautiful jazz waltz featuring the vibraphone of rising star Stefon Harris. This 2007 tune was originally written by Sting for the Kate & Leopold soundtrack. Modulation at 1:29.

Harris has said, according to All About Jazz: “For me, as an African-American, it’s part of the reason I get up. Jazz is not just fun for me. This is my cultural heritage. When I look at the great Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, as we go down the line, I feel a great deal of pressure, and honor, to be striving to be a part of this legacy.”

Second Hand White Baby Grand (from “Smash”)

From TV show Smash comes “Second Hand White Baby Grand” (2013), performed by Megan Hilty. This is a great demonstration of modulations that are dramatically motivated. The first is around 1:10, and then we return to the original key around 2:32.

So Close (from “Enchanted”)

We close the week with Alan Menken’s “So Close” from the movie Enchanted (2007). I have always been fascinated by the chord progressions and overall form of this song, given that it doesn’t really adhere to the traditional verse/chorus format. There are actually three modulations in this song — the first at 1:54, the second in the instrumental interlude at 2:37 (up a minor third!), and then back down at 2:50 before the vocal returns.

Falling Into You (from “Bridges of Madison County”)

Today we feature Jason Robert Brown for the first time on MotD! “Falling Into You” is from his incredible score for Bridges of Madison County (2014). The whole song is worth listening to — key change around 2:30.

If I Dare (from “Battle of the Sexes”) | Sara Bareilles

The theme song from Battle of the Sexes, the 2017 biopic of 1970s tennis phenom Billie Jean King. Performed by Sara Bareilles, its appearance during the film’s closing credits — after the emotional rollercoaster of the movie itself — is an overwhelming moment. Starting in C major, the chorus shifts to C minor (for the first time at 1:08), then back to C major. The bridge, starting at 2:15, brings a shift to a quieter texture, then a jump to F minor at 2:33 — leading up to a triumphant modulation to G major at 3:18.