One of the many standout aspects of Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood is the atmospheric, haunting soundtrack composed by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. The original score, remarkably Greenwood’s first for a feature film, is perhaps best remembered for its unnerving and discordant strings-led composition, which effectively cranks up the mounting sense of tension that is central to the narrative.
In conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the film’s release, Greenwood is currently touring his score with the London Contemporary Orchestra. This isn’t the first time that the LCO have performed at “live-theatrical presentations” of There Will Be Blood, or collaborated with Greenwood. Back in 2014, the orchestra played two sell-out shows at London’s Roundhouse venue, and have since provided backing on a number of tracks on Radiohead’s most recent album ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’.
According to the LCO, this new show features “over 50 orchestral musicians and uses the ondes Martenot, a rare early electronic instrument that resembles a cross between an organ and a theremin.” For those of us who missed out on a ticket for this limited run, Greenwood and the LCO have provided a rather neat behind the scenes video of the orchestra rehearsing the track ‘Smear’, with Greenwood conducting and playing the ondes Martenot. Filmed in 360º view, letting you feel like you’re sitting right there in the concert hall, it’s well worth a watch.
PTA fans will also be glad to hear that the director has finally started shooting his hotly-anticipated new project, starring Daniel Day Lewis as a fashion designer in 1950s London.
There Will Be Blood: Live plays at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Sunday 5 February, the Brighton Dome on Monday 6 February and Bristol’s Colston Hall on Tuesday 7 February.
Published 31 Jan 2017
By Colin Biggs
Released 10 years ago, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 masterpiece contains an anti-capitalist message that rings especially true today.
What Jonny Greenwood did on his holidays makes for rousing cinematic statement.
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