Living in the Age of Airplanes (soundtrack)
James Horner's final film score, released posthumously.
Living in the Age of Airplanes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2015 experimental documentary film of the same name, directed by Brian J. Terwilliger. The score was composed by James Horner and was his final film score before his death in a plane crash in June 2015. It was released digitally in 2016 and on CD by Intrada Records in 2017.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- James Horner
- Released
- 14 September 2016 (digital); August 23, 2017 (CD)
- Recorded
- 2014
- Studio
- Slovak Radio Concert Hall, AIR Lyndhurst Hall
- Genre
- Acoustic
- Celtic
- classical
- electronic
- lounge
- world
- Length
- 49:56
- Label
- Terwilliger Productions, Intrada
- Producer
- Simon Franglen
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opening Sequence | 2:01 |
| 2 | The World Before the Airplane | 2:23 |
| 3 | 200,000-Year Timeline | 2:31 |
| 4 | History of Transportation | 2:51 |
| 5 | Nearly Perfected | 3:11 |
| 6 | Portal to the Planet | 1:20 |
| 7 | Migration Vacation | 2:59 |
| 8 | Ancient Civilizations | 2:48 |
| 9 | Maldives | 2:54 |
| 10 | Antarctica | 3:24 |
| 11 | Flowers | 3:01 |
| 12 | Exponential Progress | 4:20 |
| 13 | Perspective | 2:58 |
| 14 | The Golden Age is Now | 3:09 |
| 15 | Home | 2:02 |
| 16 | End Credits | 1:25 |
| 17 | The Golden Age is Now (Remix) | 3:05 |
| 18 | End Credits (Remix) | 3:26 |
| Total length | 49:56 | |
Track listing from the source article.
Production
Terwilliger wanted an A-list narrator and composer for his film. He met James Horner at a 2008 air show, and they became friends; Horner agreed to write the score. To create a spiritual feel matching the film, he used world music. Most of the score is in major keys, except for "History of Transportation" and "Exponential Progress." The track "Nearly Perfected" uses an orchestra. The Slovak National Symphony Orchestra performed at the Slovak Radio Concert Hall, with some recording at AIR Lyndhurst Hall. The Graham Foote Ensemble provided vocals.
Release
The soundtrack was released on September 14, 2016, via digital download on Apple Music and Amazon in MP3 format, coinciding with the film's streaming and home video release. Four days earlier, Terwilliger announced discussions with record labels for a physical release of 3,000 to 5,000 copies, ultimately choosing Intrada Records. The CD, catalog number ISC401, was released on August 23, 2017, through Amazon and Intrada's website, and includes liner notes by Terwilliger.
Critical reception
Critics widely praised the soundtrack's atmosphere and depth, with one reviewer from High-Def Digest claiming it outshines most film scores. Movie Wave's James Southall acknowledged it could be considered "a bit schmaltzy" but found it lively and a "lovely" album. Philip Cosand of Pacific Science Center thought "Home" was overly dramatic yet fitting for its emotional scene. Nils Jacob Holt Hanssen of Celluloid Tunes ranked "History of Transportation" as the standout track, followed by "The Golden Age is Now," and noted "Flowers" as the most unusual and funny piece. HuffPost reported Horner compared his method to a painter's, using music as color. However, Ronnie Scheib of Variety and Daniel Eagan of Film Journal International criticized the score as overdone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which label released Living in the Age of Airplanes (soundtrack)?
Living in the Age of Airplanes was released by Terwilliger Productions and Intrada.
Who produced Living in the Age of Airplanes (soundtrack)?
Living in the Age of Airplanes was produced by Simon Franglen.
What genre is Living in the Age of Airplanes (soundtrack)?
Living in the Age of Airplanes is classified as Acoustic, Celtic, classical, electronic, lounge and others.
How long is Living in the Age of Airplanes (soundtrack)?
Living in the Age of Airplanes runs 49:56.
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