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Shrek 2 (score)

2004 film soundtrack album From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

ReleasedDecember 7, 2004
Length40:25
Quick facts Film score by Harry Gregson-Williams, Released ...
Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score)
Film score by
ReleasedDecember 7, 2004
Genres
Length40:25
LabelVarèse Sarabande
Harry Gregson-Williams chronology
Shrek: The Motion Picture Score
(2001)
Shrek 2 (Original Motion Picture Score)
(2004)
Shrek the Third: The Motion Picture Score
(2007)
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Background

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

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

All tracks are written by Harry Gregson-Williams.

More information No., Title ...
No.TitleLength
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
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Personnel

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

More information Award, Category ...
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
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References

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