Rachel Portman: The Duchess
Rachel Portman (b.1960)
English composer, born in Surrey and educated in Oxford (where she first wrote incidental music for student
film)
She has composed over 100 TV, film and theatre scores including ‘The Duchess’ and ‘Oliver Twist’
She has stated that some of her main influences are Ravel, Satie and Bach- she has also stated that her music is
mainly influenced by Classical composers
She composes at the piano and does most of her own orchestration
Her scores are notable for ‘natural’ sound sources rather than synthesised effects
Film Music
Film music works alongside narrative and visual elements to create an overall mood. The pieces are known as cues
and are often short.
Film music has several functions:
To depict
To suggest location
To suggest time
To enhance tension
To provide a comic commentary
To enhance emotional impact
To suggest character
Context
The Duchess was filmed and released in 2008, and was directed by Saul Gibbs
It is based on the controversial life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Portman’s music is a pastiche (imitates an earlier style) of the 18 th century style
The score also includes music by Beethoven (German Dances No.10 in D) and Haydn (String Quartet in D No.13) -
there are 18 cues in total
Portman avoids specific pastiche- the underscore is light in terms of content but provides attractive background
music
Rachel Portman (b.1960)
English composer, born in Surrey and educated in Oxford (where she first wrote incidental music for student
film)
She has composed over 100 TV, film and theatre scores including ‘The Duchess’ and ‘Oliver Twist’
She has stated that some of her main influences are Ravel, Satie and Bach- she has also stated that her music is
mainly influenced by Classical composers
She composes at the piano and does most of her own orchestration
Her scores are notable for ‘natural’ sound sources rather than synthesised effects
Film Music
Film music works alongside narrative and visual elements to create an overall mood. The pieces are known as cues
and are often short.
Film music has several functions:
To depict
To suggest location
To suggest time
To enhance tension
To provide a comic commentary
To enhance emotional impact
To suggest character
Context
The Duchess was filmed and released in 2008, and was directed by Saul Gibbs
It is based on the controversial life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Portman’s music is a pastiche (imitates an earlier style) of the 18 th century style
The score also includes music by Beethoven (German Dances No.10 in D) and Haydn (String Quartet in D No.13) -
there are 18 cues in total
Portman avoids specific pastiche- the underscore is light in terms of content but provides attractive background
music
