Killers of the Flower Moon (soundtrack)

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Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film)
Soundtrack album by
Robbie Robertson
ReleasedOctober 20, 2023 (2023-10-20)
Genre
Length53:11
Language
LabelSony Masterworks
ProducerRobbie Robertson
Martin Scorsese film soundtrack chronology
The Irishman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(2019) 		Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film)
(2023)

Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film) is the soundtrack album composed by Robbie Robertson for the 2023 film Killers of the Flower Moon by Martin Scorsese. It was Robertson's final completed film score before he died in August 2023;[1][2] the film is dedicated to his memory.[3] For his score, Robertson received a posthumous nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Score in 2024.

Background[edit]

Composer Robbie Robertson himself was of First Nations descent; his mother had Cayuga and Mohawk ancestry and was raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve in Ontario.[4] Although Robertson did not want to compose "any stereotypical Indian music" for the soundtrack,[5] his heritage and experiences helped him incorporate tribal elements into the blues rock sound of the album.[6][7]

I was gathering pictures in my head of music I heard as a child at the Six Nations Indian Reserve. My relatives are all sitting around with their instruments, and one guy would start a rhythm, and then somebody would start singing a melody to that, and it was just haunting. The feeling of the music beside you like that, humming and droning—the groove and the feel of it got under my skin and it lives there forever.

— Robbie Robertson[6]

Robertson had a long-standing personal and working relationship with director Martin Scorsese, and had most recently compiled the soundtrack of Scorsese's 2019 film The Irishman.[8][9] Scorsese had considered Robertson one of his closest friends and confidants.[10]

Regarding Robertson's score, actress Lily Gladstone, who plays Mollie Kyle in the film, stated, "As young Native kids living around the [reservation] with my dad who loved The Band, loved Bob Dylan, loved Martin Scorsese, it was truly an honor to tell the story against [Robertson's] music and his greatness."[11]

Composition[edit]

Unable to read or write music, Robertson was initially hesitant to work with orchestrator Mark Graham, who had previously worked with esteemed composers like John Williams and Alexandre Desplat.[12] Scorsese did not want traditional "movie music" for his score, and Robertson was determined to deliver an extraordinary product.[13] During principal photography, Robertson visited the film set in Oklahoma to meet with Osage musicians and ensure the authenticity of his music.[14]

In July 2021, Robertson began sending Graham brief videos of his ideas for the score, which including him strumming the guitar or singing. Robertson put together an ensemble which included guitars, keyboards, mandolins, cellos, mandocellos, a zither, a manzarene, and a harmonica. The unorthodox band then gathered at Robertson's studio in Los Angeles to record the score.[12]

Sometimes, it’s a small build, but this was a really big one. A lot of music was involved with this. I wanted to build an orchestra of guitar sounds with different variations of the instrument. I kept building and building the orchestra and then I tore it down and tried to keep its soul.

— Robbie Robertson[15]

As Scorsese prefers to not to edit his films to temp scores, Robertson had completed a first draft of the score by the time filming had wrapped.[16] Despite Robertson's progressing prostate cancer, he was able to complete the score and attend a private album release party before he passed away in August 2023.[12] Scorsese fondly called Robertson's score "the beating heart of the picture" and "one of the most beautiful scores ever written for a film."[17][18]

"Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)"[edit]

The Osage language song "Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)", used in the final scene of the film, was composed by Osage Nation members Scott George, Kenny Bighorse, and Vann Bighorse.[19] Regarding the song's inclusion in the film, Scorsese stated, "I felt that we should end the film with a special piece of music created by the Osage," and noted that "the music of the Osage is the best display of [their] extraordinary survival."[20]

Scorsese and actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone had attended the Osage Nation's annual I'n-Lon-Schka dances in June 2021. They were impressed by the energy and movement of the dances, and Scorsese wished to create a similar energy for the film's conclusion. Scorsese contacted Vann Bighorse, who served as a consultant on the film and who, in turn, contacted Scott George and Kenny Bighorse to help him compose a song for the film. The three men decided against using existing traditional music and instead opted to compose a new song. They composed two pieces that they then sent to Scorsese to select from.[21]

Regarding his selected piece, George stated, "It's talking about our people, asking our people to stand up. We know that God has gotten us this far and it’s acknowledging that. It’s saying Wahzhazhe Ni-ka-zhi: stand up ... the meaning is we’re thankful that we're here and we've gone this far."[22] The song was performed by the Osage Tribal Singers, a collective of singers from the Osage Nation's I'n-Lon-Schka drum committees.[21]

"Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards.[23] making George the first ever Osage Nation member to be nominated for an Academy Award. Commenting on the film's Academy Awards nominations, Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear stated, "Osage Nation is especially proud that Osage Composer Scott George, consultants Kenny and Vann Bighorse, and all our tribal singers are receiving this extraordinary recognition for 'Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)'."[19]

Critical reception[edit]

Brian Tallerico of Roger Ebert wrote that "Robbie Robertson's thrumming score is practically a character, giving the film a heartbeat that adds tension to its notable runtime. This story wouldn't have nearly the same momentum with a traditional, classical score.[24] Hamish MacBain of the Evening Standard wrote that Robertson's score was "absolutely fantastic, particularly the recurring, minimal, two note retro-bass motif that effectively ramps up the tension at key points."[25] Moira Macdonald of The Seattle Times called Robertson's score "quietly powerful,"[26] while Peter Travers of ABC News called it "haunting" and "a fitting legacy" for Robertson's career.[27]

Tim Greiving of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "Robertson's contribution is an astonishing and lively musical ecosystem that gives immediate authenticity to Scorsese's equally vivid presentation of Osage life and culture in 1920s Oklahoma. It's music that proudly worships and dances with these people — and alternately weeps for their oppression, at times sounding almost sick at their treatment by the story's white predators." He also called the soundtrack "the best music Robertson ever wrote for the screen."[1]

Live performances[edit]

On November 15, 2023, Martin Scorsese held a tribute concert for Robertson, which included excerpts from his Killers of the Flower Moon score. Notable guests included Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, who both starred in the film.[28][29]

Accolades[edit]

Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film) awards and nominations
Award Year[a] Category Recipients Result Ref.
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2023 Best Original Score in a Feature Film Robbie Robertson (p.r.) Won [30]
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Score Runner-up [31]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Score Nominated [32]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Original Score Won [33]
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Musical Score Won [34]
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2023 Best Score Nominated [35]
Astra Film Awards 2024 Best Score Nominated [36]
Golden Globe Awards 2024 Best Original Score Nominated [37]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2024 Best Score Nominated [38]
Online Film Critics Society Awards 2024 Best Original Score Nominated [39]
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards 2024 Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film Nominated [40]
British Academy Film Awards 2024 Best Original Score Nominated [41]
Satellite Awards 2024 Best Original Score Nominated [42]
Academy Awards 2024 Best Original Score Nominated [43]
Best Original Song "Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)" (Scott George) Nominated

Track listing[edit]

Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film) track listing
No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Intro (The Sacred Pipe)" 0:38
2."Osage Oil Boom" 2:51
3."My Land...My Land" 2:10
4."Heartbeat Theme/ Ni-U-Kon-Ska" 3:33
5."They Don't Live Long" 2:55
6."The Wedding" 2:04
7."Tribal Council" 1:12
8."Reign of Terror" 2:51
9."Insulin Train" 2:50
10."Tulsa Massacre Newsreel" 2:24
11."Shame on Us" 2:42
12."Too Much Dynamite" 2:56
13."Not if it's Illegal" 2:47
14."Salvation Adagio" 3:11
15."Still Standing" 3:48
16."Tupelo Blues"
2:53
17."Livery Stable Blues"
1:54
18."The Gallop, Chasse, Pas de Bouree"Adam Nielsen0:37
19."Metropolis (A Blue Fantasie)"
  • Vince Giordano
  • Nighthawks
2:10
20."Mollie"Andy Stein0:20
21."Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)"Osage Tribal Singers6:25
Total length:53:11

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film)
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various October 20, 2023
Sony Masterworks [44]
United States December 8, 2023 CD [45]
December 15, 2023 LP [46]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Greiving, Tim (August 10, 2023). "Robbie Robertson was on the verge of his greatest success with Martin Scorsese". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Morris, Chris (August 9, 2023). "Robbie Robertson, Leader of The Band, Dies at 80". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Menta, Anna (October 20, 2023). "'Killers of the Flower Moon' Ends With a Touching Dedication to Longtime Scorsese Collaborator Robbie Robertson". Decider. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  4. ^ McArdle, Tommy (August 10, 2023). "Martin Scorsese Remembers The Band Guitarist and Musical Collaborator Robbie Robertson: 'I Loved' Him". People. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Willman, Chris (October 21, 2023). "A Last Conversation With Robbie Robertson, About 'Killers of the Flower Moon' and Reconvening With Martin Scorsese: 'It's Just Been a Gift in Life'". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (October 20, 2023). "Listen to Robbie Robertson's Soundtrack for New Martin Scorsese Movie Killers of the Flower Moon". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Breihan, Tom (October 20, 2023). "Robbie Roberston's Posthumous Soundtrack For Martin Scorsese's 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' Out Now: Stream". Stereogum. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Ford, Rebecca (November 27, 2019). "'The Irishman' Composer on Not Creating a "Traditional Movie Score" for Gangster Epic". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Blistein, Jon (November 1, 2019). "Robbie Robertson Details Soundtrack for Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Bloom, Madison (August 9, 2023). "Martin Scorsese Remembers the Band's Robbie Robertson: "I Could Always Go to Him as a Confidante"". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  11. ^ Tramel, Jimmie (January 10, 2024). "Award-worthy: Robbie Robertson's 'Killers of the Flower Moon' score helps tell film's story". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Greiving, Tim (November 13, 2023). "For his final work, with Martin Scorsese, Robbie Robertson found a personal connection". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Rice, Lynette (November 10, 2023). "How Robbie Robertson Avoided "Movie Music" In His Score For 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' – Sound & Screen Film". Deadline. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Galuppo, Mia (September 26, 2023). "Martin Scorsese Talks Working With the Osage Nation, Late 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Composer Robbie Robertson". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  15. ^ Harrison, Scoop (October 20, 2023). "Robbie Robertson's Killers of the Flower Moon Soundtrack Receives Posthumous Release". Consequence. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Gomez, Dessi (October 17, 2023). "Robbie Robertson's Manager Recalls Martin Scorsese's Love of Harmonica During 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Editing". TheWrap. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  17. ^ Leatham, Thomas (November 17, 2023). "Martin Scorsese hosts Robbie Robertson tribute concert". Far Out Magazine. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Boisvert, Lauren (November 17, 2023). "Martin Scorsese Hosted a Tribute Concert for Robbie Robertson with Performances from Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell, and More". American Songwriter. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Maupin, Jennifer (January 23, 2024). "'Killers of the Flower Moon' nominated for 10 Oscars". KJRH. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  20. ^ Killers of the Flower Moon — The Song "Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)". Apple TV+. January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ a b Tramel, Jimmie (January 18, 2024). "'Killers of the Flower Moon' song created by Oklahomans makes Oscar shortlist". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  22. ^ Polacca, Benny (September 28, 2023). "Osage Nation officials and 'Killers of the Flower Moon' crew members attend New York premiere". Osage News. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Gonzalez, Shivani (January 23, 2024). "Oscar Nominees 2024". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  24. ^ Tallerico, Brian (October 20, 2023). "Killers of the Flower Moon movie review (2023)". Roger Ebert. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  25. ^ MacBain, Hamish (October 20, 2023). "Killers of the Flower Moon: Lily Gladstone shines in Scorsese's oeuvre". Evening Standard. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  26. ^ Macdonald, Moira (October 19, 2023). "'Killers of the Flower Moon' review: Lily Gladstone is electric in Scorsese's master class of a film". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  27. ^ Travers, Peter (October 20, 2023). "Review: Martin Scorsese delivers a new movie classic with 'Killers of the Flower Moon'". ABC News. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  28. ^ Chelin, Pamela (November 16, 2023). "Martin Scorsese Hosts Robbie Robertson Tribute Concert, With Jackson Browne and Others Paying Musical Homage". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  29. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (November 16, 2023). "Martin Scorsese Honors Robbie Robertson's Legacy with Tribute Concert: The Musician 'Broke Barriers'". IndieWire. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "2023 HMMA WINNERS AND NOMINEES". Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  31. ^ "Annual StLFCA Awards". St. Louis Film Critics Association. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  32. ^ Gordon, Tim (December 10, 2023). "2023 WAFCA Award Winner". Washington DC Area Film Critics Association. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  33. ^ Anderson, Erik (December 8, 2023). "Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) Nominations: 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' 'Oppenheimer,' 'Poor Things' Lead with 10 Each". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  34. ^ Jorgenson, Todd (December 18, 2023). "DFW FILM CRITICS NAME "THE HOLDOVERS" BEST PICTURE OF 2023". Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  35. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2023). "The 2023 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  36. ^ Grein, Paul (January 7, 2024). "A 'Barbie' Song Won at 2024 Astra Film Awards, But It Wasn't the Billie Eilish Hit". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  37. ^ Lang, Brent; Moreau, Jordan (January 8, 2024). "Golden Globes: 'Oppenheimer' Leads With Five Wins, 'Succession' Tops TV With Four (Complete Winners List)". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  38. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (January 15, 2024). "'Oppenheimer' Leads Critics Choice Awards With 8 Wins, 'Barbie' Scores 6 — Full Winners List". Variety. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  39. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 22, 2024). "The 2023 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  40. ^ Phillips, Zoe G. (February 14, 2024). "Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards: Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Ludwig Göransson Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  41. ^ Yossman, K. J.; Shafer, Ellise (February 18, 2024). "BAFTA Awards: 'Oppenheimer' and 'Poor Things' Win Big as 'Barbie' and 'Maestro' Are Shut Out — Full Winners List". Variety. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  42. ^ Neglia, Matt (March 4, 2024). "The 2023 Satellite Award (IPA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  43. ^ Moreau, Jordan (January 23, 2024). "Oscar Nominations 2024: The Complete List". Variety. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  44. ^ "Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film), Robbie Robertson". Qobuz. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  45. ^ "Robbie Robertson - Killers of the Flower Moon - (CD, Vinyl LP)". Rough Trade. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  46. ^ "Robbie Robertson - Killers of the Flower Moon (Soundtrack from the Apple Original Film) [LP]". Strictly Discs. Retrieved October 20, 2023.

External links[edit]

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