The Top TV Scores of 2020 - as voted for by Scala Radio listeners
Discover which soundtracks made it into the top five as revealed in Charles Nove's weekday TV, film and video game music show Screen Time
2020 saw many of us watching a good deal more TV than perhaps we originally thought we would. And a result, more of us heard some of the cracking scores composers create to accompany what we see on-screen.
A good soundtrack can amplify the drama of a series, adding to the tension, elation or suspense of a particular moment. It can add comedy, pathos or convey a character's personality or mood without them even opening their mouths.
Scala Radio is the home of TV music, where every day during Charles Nove's Screen Time you can enjoy an hour of the best TV, film and game music every weekday between 9 and 10am.
We joined forces with Total TV Guide and asked Scala Radio listeners what your favourite TV score was from 2020. Here, in reverse order, are the top five.
5. Star Trek: Picard (music by Jeff Russo)
This new ‘Star Trek’ series features Patrick Stewart who once again takes on the role of Jean-Luc Picard, as we watch the next chapter of his life unfold.
The original score for Star Trek: Picard is by Emmy Award-winning composer Jeff Russo who is known for writing the music for Fargo, Legion, Counterpart, and Star Trek: Discovery.
Russo creates a distinct score that lives within the Star Trek sound world, hinting at Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage's original Star Trek themes. Listen out for the piccolo at the beginning and end of the soundtrack, which Russo used to emulate the Ressikan flute that Picard played in the Next Generation episode ‘The Inner Light’.
4. The Crown Season 4 (music by Martin Phipps)
The Crown Season 4 provides a snapshot into the lives of the Royal Family and features such momentous and historic occasions as Charles and Diana’s wedding and the tenure of Margaret Thatcher.
The expansive and regal theme tune is written by Hans Zimmer, but the score for Season 4 was penned by Martin Phipps. Phipps’ music evokes a range of emotions, from loneliness and desperation, duty and determination and unfolding tragedy.
3. The Queen’s Gambit (music by Carlos Rafael Rivera)
The Queen’s Gambit tells the story of an orphaned girl named Beth Harmon and her rise to fame within the chess world.
The soundtrack was composed by Carlos Rafael Rivera, who previously won an Emmy for his score of Godless. Rivera’s music follows Beth’s journey through addiction, obsession and grief with a rich, orchestral score.
2. The Mandalorian (music by Ludwig Göransson)
The Mandalorian is part of the Star Wars franchise and is set after the fall of the Empire, following the struggles of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy.
Known for his vibrant, often playful orchestral music for film and television, Ludwig Göransson won an Oscar for Best Original Score with Black Panther. In his Mandalorian score he blends Swedish heavy metal and modern music to create a new sound world perfectly suited to a galaxy far, far away.
1. His Dark Materials Series 2 (music by Lorne Balfe)
The TV series has captured the magic of Philip Pullman’s fantasy epic. In the quest to find her missing friend, Lyra uncovers an even greater secret that leads her on a new mission entirely.
Lorne Balfe’s moving score has made it all the more spellbinding. You will be no stranger to the Grammy Award-winning composer’s music, who has penned the score for many high-budget films including Mission: Impossible – Fallout and The Dark Knight, as well as video games Assassin's Creed: Revelations and the Call of Duty franchise. He has also scored for the second series of The Crown.
When is Charles Nove's Screen Time on Scala Radio?
Listen to an hour of TV, film and video game music every weekday on Scala Radio from 9am to 10am online, DAB or via the free downloadable Scala Radio App.
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