A full score reduction of the tornado scene from The Wizard of Oz. Article discussing this cue: filmscoreclicktrack.com/aunti... Patreon: / davidmccaulley I own nothing. Enjoy!
This one scene (in my opinion) completely made this movie. The special effects (which is still considered the most realistic tornado in all cinematic history) was enough to get u interested, the music behind it just makes it absolutely amazing. From the dramatic entrance, to the almost hypnotic and dance worthy middle part, the ICONIC sinister change the mood with the witches theme, and the absolutely chaotic ending. I've yet to find anything that tops this.
Holy chromatic scales galore!!! This has to be one of my favorite cues from the movie as well and I never realized how detailed it was. It'd be interesting to hear this piece played with modern day recording technology
I always loved acting out scenes as a little kid, and this was no different. I always was very precise on how quickly, or my body movement was when acting it out so it would be just like the movie. This was my favorite scene by far as a little kid, and still is.
I remember this scene giving me nightmares of a kid with the sound of the tornado, and the rising panic as it comes closer. Ugh, that sound of the wind STILL creeps me out.
The sound is incredible and probably just as important as the visual effect itself. In the 1980s film "Places in the Heart" there is a tornado sequence which relies almost completely on sound, with just the effects of wind machines blowing on the actors and some debris to give the impression, and was still very effective even without a visual special effect tornado. Still...it didn't have the depth of character of the wailing Oz tornado😋
Great job again, from a fellow Oz fan and Tornado Alley resident - in fact my state (Iowa) was hit by an EF 4 just last weekend, missing my in-laws' house by just a mile. After 80+ years, this Oz scene is still one of the finest special effects tornadoes ever created (with lo-fi technology of a model farm, smoke, and a muslin sock) And yes, it scared the bejabbers out of me too when I was a kid- not in small part by this chaotic score which emulates the terrifyingly noisy rotating chaos that tornadoes are. I'm not sure, but I have to believe that the SFX and musical creators of this scene HAD to be one of us midwesterners because it's so spot on. -Crazy enough to live in the alley of tornadoes (and crazier still to stand outside when they're out there...)
Given the chromatic layers everywhere, I can see why this took several weeks to orchestrate; especially to get the sound just right. Not to mention the tempo changes from fast to ridiculously fast and back again.
Gosh, I will tell you the moment the 3 companions adorn the Winkie Guard uniforms to the melting of the wicked witch has some meat in there. Very Stravinsky in those few minutes at the Witches Castle.
Never thought of the Witch's theme being a mockery of "We're off to see the Wizard" but when you actually try to sing the words "we're off to see the Wizard" to the tune of the Witch's theme it really can only be done by making yourself sound like a playground bully taunting others.
Great reduction! Thank you for your work again. Since you asked for comments about the analysis: In bar 99 you call the chord C#m (maj7, #9). But the #9 makes no sense as a sharp nine would be the note E which the minor triad has anyway. The chord has a D# which is a natural 9, right? I'd just call the chord C#m maj9. Also, for me it would be easier to view the very first chord as a G7alt, although there is the natural fifth as well, though.
Great cue! The complexity and detail here is pretty incredible, and the level of craftsmanship among the musicians working for MGM - composers, orchestrators, and players alike - is stunning. This channel is also great and provides a real service to aspiring composers, orchestrators - or just anybody interested in the craft of music making. One (tiny) thing: the plural of cello is "cellos." Unless you're saying "flauti," "violini," "viole," etc., using the Italian plural for one instrument is bizarre. I know this bad habit is common, but still wrong, and perhaps even worse, pretentious.
At measure 5 I have always been confused because that woodwind part that plays that big staccato stinger over the alto flute solo, is written as all woodwinds but I always heard it as the brass section also. Does it not sound like trumpets along with the winds in the recording? Weird.
Would you consider breaking down one of the mary poppins returns cues maybe the end credits or the overture it has such a timeless classic sound and being a orchestral guy I would love to see what the ensembles are playing.
i would venture to guess that john williams studied this at some point. theres a bunch in here that feels one step removed from Star wars action writing!
There were a few places where the various members of the orchestra were out of time with each other. Was there not enough rehearsal time given to this piece? It does sound like the orchestra could have done with more rehearsal time.
