Fortissimo and Taiko Help Alexandre Desplat Create Destructive Score to 'Godzilla'

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Week of 05/23/2014
WHO: Alexandre Desplat
WHAT: Godzilla: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
SPOT: 169

Skyscraper-sized monsters don't travel gracefully. Alexandre Desplat, the composer behind Oscar-nominated scores such as The Queen and Argo, tends to infuse his work with grace. He managed to curb that trend when writing for Godzilla, although he infused the work with more agility than typically seen in giant, bipedal lizards.

Desplat's homage to Godzilla's humble beginnings does more than pay lip service: The Japanese elements of his score provide the basis for a soundtrack meant to embody the literal art of destruction. The Japanese Taiko drums employed as the primary rhythm section for much of Godzilla provide resonating thunder, adjustable to various scenarios. Slow rhythms evoke colossal footfalls while more aggressive movements represent the clashes of kaiju titans (Japanese armies marched to Taiko drums during feudal eras as well...it's a convincing battle accompaniment).

"Golden Gate Chaos" collects the best of Desplat's elements to embody the mayhem: Taiko pace increases as Godzilla and MUTO meet at the iconic overpass and the string section fortissimo of the crescendo is a recognizable reference to the less nuanced (but equally attention grabbing) scores of the original Godzilla films.

One fact not featured on the Godzilla score: The opening shriek of the protagonist's roar was created by coating a leather glove with pine resin and dragging it down the neck of a double bass.

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Alexandre Desplat