Shrek 2 (score)
| Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Film score by | ||||
| Released | December 7, 2004 | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 40:25 | |||
| Label | Varèse Sarabande | |||
| Harry Gregson-Williams chronology | ||||
| ||||
Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score) is the film score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams to the 2004 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek 2 which is the second instalment in the Shrek franchise and a sequel to Shrek (2001). The score album was released on December 7, 2004, under the Varèse Sarabande label and received a nomination for Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production.
Background
[edit]Shrek composer Harry Gregson-Williams returned to score the sequel, without the involvement of co-composer John Powell as both of them had amicably parted ways to refrain from being pigeonholed and focus more on individual projects.[1] Gregson-Williams added that the score is what binds the film together, which helps in narrating the story.[2] Gregson-Williams borrowed most of the main themes from the first film while also scoring newer themes for specific sequences and new characters.[3]
Reception
[edit]Peter Simons of Movie Music UK wrote: "It doesn't really come as surprise that Harry Gregson-Williams is able to produce a stunning score for Shrek without the aid of the original co-composer John Powell, as Gregson-Williams has already proven to be an excellent composer on his own [...] While there was little actually wrong with the original Shrek score, it somehow didn't quite satisfy me – perhaps the cues were a bit too short and too varied to make for a coherent album. This sequel seems a little more focused and also relies on the orchestra a bit more than its predecessor, making it a more rewarding album to listen to overall."[4] Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks called "Shrek 2 is an improvement over its predecessor".[5]
James Christopher Monger of AllMusic wrote "Choirs, Renaissance-style marches, and big-band numbers co-exist with nary an awkward segue, resulting in a finished product that's undeniably superficial, but as mischievous and likeable as the ogre himself".[6] Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles wrote "[Shrek 2] lacks the highlights of the first score, yet giving us a much smoother listen in the process".[7] Ain't It Cool News-based critic wrote "The score by Harry-Gregson Williams was top notch".[8]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Harry Gregson-Williams.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Prince Charming" | 2:05 |
| 2. | "Leaving Home" | 1:12 |
| 3. | "Far Far Away" | 1:44 |
| 4. | "Family Dinner" | 2:10 |
| 5. | "Fiona's Room" | 1:01 |
| 6. | "We Need to Talk" | 1:32 |
| 7. | "The Poison Apple" | 1:20 |
| 8. | "The Factory" | 1:40 |
| 9. | "By the Ol' Oak" | 2:02 |
| 10. | "Annoying Talking Animal" | 2:56 |
| 11. | "The Potion Room" | 3:08 |
| 12. | "Deep Fried" | 2:02 |
| 13. | "Not Meant to Be" | 2:49 |
| 14. | "The Ball" | 1:09 |
| 15. | "The Prince of Her Dreams" | 2:16 |
| 16. | "Tonight on "Knights"" | 0:48 |
| 17. | "Magic Tea" | 1:50 |
| 18. | "The Mission" | 1:29 |
| 19. | "Muffin Man" | 1:10 |
| 20. | "Get the Wand" | 2:08 |
| 21. | "All Is Revealed" | 3:16 |
| 22. | "Dragon!!" | 0:38 |
| Total length: | 40:25 | |
- When Shrek's friends break him out of prison, the central motif from Mission: Impossible by Lalo Schifrin is heard as Pinocchio descends on puppet strings as another allusion to the television and film franchise.
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from liner notes:[9]
- Music composer and producer – Harry Gregson-Williams
- Additional music – James McKee Smith, Stephen Barton
- Engineer – Meri Gavin, Olga Fitzroy, Toby Chu
- Recording – Nick Wollage
- Mixing – Alan Meyerson
- Music editor – Mark Jan Wlodarkiewicz
- Executive producer – Robert Townson
- Musical assistance – Gregg Silk, Jake Jackson
- Music coordinator – Julie Keel, Ken Smith
- Music preparation – Tony Stanton
- Package design – Matthew Joseph Peak
- Music business affairs – Lenny Wohl
- Executive in charge of music – Sunny Park
- Music clearance – Julie Butchko
- Orchestra
- Orchestra – London Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor – Harry Gregson-Williams
- Orchestra leader – Gavyn Wright
- Orchestra contractor – Isobel Griffiths
- Instrument
- Baritone saxophone – Dave Bishop
- Cello – Jonathan Williams, Paul Kegg
- Clarinet – Nicholas Bucknall
- Double bass – Allen Walley, Steve McManus
- Electric violin – Hugh Marsh
- Flute – Anna Noakes
- French horn – Richard Bissill
- Guitar – Heitor Pereira
- Harp – Skaila Kanga
- Harpsichord – Robert King
- Tenor saxophone – Jamie Talbot
- Trombone – Eric Crees, Peter Davies
- Trumpet – Andy Crowley, Daniel Newell
- Viola – Bruce White, Jake Walker, Rachel Bolt
- Violin – Everton Nelson, Mark Berrow, Tom Pigott-Smith, Warren Zielinski
- Choir
- Choir – Metro Voices
- Alto vocals – Heather Cairncross, Sarah Simmonds
- Bass vocals – Andrew Playfoot, Michael Dore, Russell Scott
- Soprano vocals – Morag MacKay, Sarah Eyden
- Tenor vocals – Tom Pearce
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Category | Name | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annie Awards | Music in an Animated Feature Production | Harry Gregson-Williams | Nominated | [10] [11] |
| BMI Film & TV Awards | BMI Film Music Award | Harry Gregson-Williams | Won | [12] |
| International Film Music Critics Association | Best Original Score for a Comedy Film | Harry Gregson-Williams | Nominated | [13] |
| World Soundtrack Awards | Soundtrack Composer of the Year | Harry Gregson-Williams | Nominated | [14] |
| Best Original Soundtrack of the Year | Harry Gregson-Williams | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ↑ Mirisola, John. "Harry Gregson-Williams on Making and Remaking the Shrek Theme". Berklee College of Music. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Docter-Loeb, Hannah (May 30, 2024). "20 Years Later, Mike Myers Reveals How 'Shrek 2' Pulled Off the Impossible". Inverse. Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Ryder, Caroline (April 23, 2009). "Filmmakers praise Gregson-Williams". Variety. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Simons, Peter (May 22, 2004). "SHREK 2 – Harry Gregson-Williams". MOVIE MUSIC UK. Archived from the original on July 22, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Clemmensen, Christian (January 7, 2005). "Shrek 2 (Harry Gregson-Williams)". Filmtracks. Archived from the original on January 17, 2005. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Review: Shrek 2 (Original Motion Pictute Soundtrack)". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Glorieux, Thomas. "Harry Gregson-Williams: Shrek 2 - maintitles.net". Maintitles.net. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ staff (May 3, 2004). "Another super-positive SHREK 2 review!!!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Harry Gregson-Williams. Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score) (Media notes). Varèse Sarabande.
- ↑ "32nd Annual Annie Nominations and Awards Recipients". Annie Awards. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ↑ Baisley, Sarah (January 30, 2005). "The Incredibles & Brad Bird Soar at Annie Awards". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
- ↑ "2005 BMI Film/TV Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. May 18, 2005. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ IFMCA (2005). "2004 IFMCA Awards". IFMCA. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ↑ Bennett, Ray (2004). "'Mountain' Score Tops At World Soundtrack Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
| |||||
| Characters | |||||
| Films |
| ||||
| Specials and shorts |
| ||||
| TV series |
| ||||
| Attractions | |||||
| Video games | |||||
| Music | |||||
| Related | |||||