Michael Giacchino: Ratatouille Main Theme
Context
Michael Giacchino returned to Pixar for the second time to compose the score for the 2007 film, Ratatouille. Giacchino had previously written the music for The Incredibles (2004) and went on to write the music for Up (2009). The score for Ratatouille was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best Original Score’ as well as a Grammy Award for ‘Best Score Soundtrack Album’. Ratatouille is set in Paris, France, so Giacchino aimed to liken a lot of the music to stereotypical Parisian music, whilst also giving his own twist on things.
The Music
Ratatouille Main Theme is heard at the start and end of the film and is a serene and calm piece. Giacchino starts with a distant accordion and a piano, who start the main melody off. An acoustic guitar replaces the accordion and a solo clarinet also enters the mix. The delicate melody is effective and sets the scene of a night-time Paris perfectly. As the different voices move separately, it creates even more of an intense change when the full orchestra begins their part. The accordion, now at the top of the mix, plays a countermelody over the luscious strings.
Giacchino’s rich melodies and subtle changes creates an orchestral flourish that showcases the lovely melody and the composer’s flair for orchestration. The use of the harp and accordion in particular stand at the forefront of this theme. As the music begins to get quieter, the solo instruments from the start come back into the spotlight, alongside a solo flute. The strings plays a sustained chord and one final quiet note is heard before the theme is over.
Ⓒ Alex Burns
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