The Score Seeker: A Guide to Film and Classical Music

Heroes Never Die: John Williams’ ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull marked John Williams’ 100th film score of his career. Returning after a 19-year hiatus away from Indiana Jones, Williams said that it was like "sitting down and finishing a letter that you started 25 years ago". Williams' writing harkens back to the style of adventure music he was writing in the 1980s. Join me as I discuss the adventurous but conceptually odd main theme for the character of Mutt and the sexy, noir-ish main theme for Cate Blanchett’s villainess Irina Spalko. At the center of the score is the stand-out cue called “The Jungle Chase” featuring Williams' great skill at thematic action scoring.

Off into the Sunset: John Williams’ ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’

For the trilogy capper of the Indiana Jones franchise, my favorite film of the franchise, Williams wrote a more mature and quieter score than its predecessors, but with no less attention to detail and thematic variation. In this episode, I break down the different variations of the “Father/Son Theme”, representing the rekindling relationship between Indy and his father — the heart of the movie. I also discuss the Lutheran hymn-like new melodies for the Holy Grail and the Grail Knights, as well as the martial theme for the Nazis.

Bugs, Cults, and Blood: John Williams’ ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple Doom’

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is the lesser of the original trilogy, but, I will try and change your mind about John Williams’ film score, my favorite of all the Indiana Jones scores. Along with the triumphant and epic return of the Raiders March, Williams write three new melodies for the characters of Willie and Short Round, and for the enslaved children within the temple. Williams’ writing is cranked up to ten as he delivers one of the most thrilling of his career! Be wary, though, this is Indiana Jones going to Hell!

A New Hero Is Born: John Williams’ ‘Raiders of the Lost Arc’

Having worked with both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, John Williams was definitely the go-to choice for the composer of the first Indiana Jones film. Yet again, Williams wrote an iconic score filled with epic adventure, emotional passion, and terrifying horror. In this episode, I discuss the main leitmotifs of the picture, particularly how the Ark of the Covenant theme contains some "devilish" harmonies. At the center of the score are the two standout action cues: "The Basket Chase" and "Desert Chase", some of the best, most thrilling action music Williams ever wrote.

Into the Jungle: John Williams’ ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’

Entirely different from the first film in tone, The Lost World: Jurassic Park prompted John Williams to write one of the most unique scores of his career. Instead of the ample melodic writing we are so used to hearing, Williams wrote a score that relies almost completely on rhythm, employing the biggest percussion section he’s had since the 1972 film Images. While not relying on his old tunes from Jurassic Park, Williams writes a new ascending carnivore motif as well as "The Lost World Theme", a minor mode melody all harmonized with major chords.