Apollo 13: "The Launch” by James Horner (Score Reduction and Analysis)

[@Mike-uv2px]

This is one of the best scenes in movie history, and hands down the best launch scene. I could watch (and listen to) it every day and be happy :)

[@urmeli0815]

I saw that in the cinema. One of the most uplifting and awe inspiring movie moments I ever experienced. The score and the movie are perfectly cut together, Horner at the peak of his powers.

[@benrussell-gough1201]

I've always loved the way the music turns so triumphant after S1/S2 staging. Horner is good at aural emotions.

[@ComposerConductor]

David, it amazes me that no matter how many times I see this scene, I still get that incredible euphoria of achievement. I think James Horner was a master at not just writing memorable themes, but working with directors who first and foremost, put emphasis on the story, not the special effects. As simple as this theme is, I still enjoy the hell out of it.

[@boingokky]

it's nice to hear something OTHER than John Williams on this channel!! Thank you!!!!

[@tinevucko8594]

Excellent work! It might be pointed out that the theme heard at 8:33 is the same as the Colonial Marines theme from Combat Drop in Aliens (which also plays in similar orchestration - strings and woodwinds).

[@avecas]

First person I've seen notice this! It's always funny to hear that little motif pop up during the launch sequence. Like an easter egg.

[@edmoore4431]

That is an absolutely brilliant catch; I've heard these two scores dozens of times and never put that together.

[@Bryanma0119]

That part really gives you the “ To infinity and beyond” feeling ~

[@chrisridenhour]

Interesting comparing Horner's scores to William's score reductions - Horner's seem to be a bit less orchestrally ornate, and complex but still carry the same emotional impact.

[@thpthp]

On another note the Aspiration Theme (at 6:18) sounds remarkably similar to the Jimmy Webb song ALL I NEED TO KNOW: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5Klm4xjr9Jjqas Specifically the lyric "TOO EASILY. TOO EASILY TO LET IT SHOW". Gotta wonder if this song was rolling around James head while composing this great scene.

[@thpthp]

God, I love this movie! Horner really accomplishes SO much with this great score.

[@truefilm6991]

Thanks for this, as always. Not a snob at all, but man this is just so cookie cutter and simple. Some of the harmony/melody/bass movements are basically Titanic II. Same Instrumentation, same melody goes up, bass line goes down idea, same kind of sampled voices. Again we have the launching a human achievement situation, just with added marching snare drums, to add military precision to the list of ingredients. It works of course.

[@dimitrisnikoloulis4071]

James Horner is the most genious worker of harmony and rythm in his soundtracks .

[@domeniccicchetti]

Excellent work, your analysis system makes a complex score look easy. Well done!

[@Anduril451]

Great work. I'd LOVE to have the score for re-entry and splashdown. Do you think you could do it?

[@ComposerConductor]

Thank you, David. MUCH appreciated!

[@mydogskips2]

I wish that little tune starting at 7:39 was developed a bit more, it's my favorite part.

[@iammaxhammer]

Same. I never see anyone comment on that part, but it seems to perfectly capture that scene. The majestic Earth in the background with the awesomeness of humans being able to conquer all frontiers. Horner was a genius.

[@age234]

One of the greatest tracks ever

[@ballefranz7059]

really?

[@octoberphoenix]

Thumbs up before even seeing the vid. Great stuff...again.

[@cmg0124]

Love this! And I LOVE the Apollo 13 soundtrack!

[@mauropongiluppi4939]

7:15 could be in 5/4?

[@ComposerConductor]

It could be. BUT...look at the orchestration. The cellos are scored to put importance on a single quarter note on the 3/4, followed by the two quarter notes of the 2/4 measure. In a 5/4 measure, it's usually strong emphasis with either ONE two three FOUR five, or ONE two THREE four five. In this section, though, if Horner orchestrated this as a 5/4, we would hear ONE two three FOUR FIVE. The fifth beat being accented is not common, so he changes it to a 3/4 + 2/4 feel. It's scored as 3/4 + 2/4 because the cellos play: ONE two three (3/4) ONE TWO (2/4). Am I making any sense? lol.

[@mauropongiluppi4939]

Trevor Jensen yeah, it could make sense👍

[@rhysmodica2892]

Sure there's a couple of mistakes in the scenes (for example the engine lights are only on if the engine is off and so the engine no.5 light is the only light that should be illuminated) but I can easily subside my disbelief. What DOES impress me is that a lot of the scenes (particularly whole body shots) were filmed in zero G using the zero G airplane. I mean that was impressive that they managed that. The music of course is phenomenal.

[@ariochiv]

I had no idea that this score is by James Horner. It seems so unlike many of his other scores, which often sound similar.

[@matheofournier5740]

Amazing ! Great job man

[@johnhill762]

Amazing composer.

[@RTCMAHL]

Been waiting for this one!!! Thanks.

[@AndewMole]

8:10 variation on the lick?

[@HrHTeam]

Where do you get the reduced or full score?

[@dgmullin1]

Is Lydian the go-to mode for space-themed movies or what?

[@ComposerConductor]

James Horner was a big fan of the Lydian Mode, so, he used it often, in several scores. I think this is just Horner using his favorite mode.

[@dgmullin1]

@@ComposerConductor Maybe but he was by no means the only one to use it in space-themed movies.

[@melissawickersham9912]

You ought to do analyses for the soundtrack to *Titanic* , a film directed by James Cameron. The same composer who composed for Apollo 13 also composed for *Titanic* .

[@afroman255]

08:34 you can hear a bit of Aliens there. The colonial marines theme

[@connorbowen8867]

which is itself a variation of one of Jerry Goldsmith's motifs for Capricorn One. He also references it in Clear and Present Danger, and maybe another score or two. Similarly, the motif heard at 9:25 is from Glory, used again in Mighty Joe Young and maybe elsewhere. I know reuse can be polarizing but as a fan, it's hard to resist when it's so damn GOOD!

[@petersonnormil6799]

what does the fractions mean in the tempo?

[@paulnz0]

6:25 When she cries I cry.😭

[@froloffanton]

I think it was a genius move to cut to that reaction shot right after the liftoff shot. Brilliant performance by the actress as well. Cheesy, but never fails to create an emotional response in me.

[@paulnz0]

@@froloffanton Cheesy! If by cheesy you mean rip your guts out emotionally, yes it's gourmet level! 😭

[@tomwheeler1082]

OMG THANK YOU

[@wdenegri]

people need to be aware of Horner's Krull soundtrack

[@notlobparrot3057]

I always thought that the secret hero of this movie was Sinise as Ken Mattingly.

[@mydogskips2]

Well, it was certainly portrayed that way in the movie, but I think in real life it was that guy "John," the engineer who said they needed to shut everything down who was the real hero.

[@brycerosenwald2915]

And they all lived happily ever after :)))))

[@melissawickersham9912]

Rarely is reality that sweet or simple.

[@sorartificial]

What a challenge to write so much music

[@ashleythorpe7933]

Nun danket alle Gott...

[@escopiliatese3623]

Horner’s music is just so damn kitschy and simplistic, like he just finished College level Theory II and hasn’t heard of tasteful chromaticism, or even chromaticism at all.

[@RTCMAHL]

Simple yet effective is a difficult path.

[@octoberphoenix]

@ Esco Piliatese And you've composed what exactly?

[@escopiliatese3623]

RTCMAHL true but it must have structural integrity beyond rudimentary features.

[@escopiliatese3623]

October Phoenix over the years I’ve probably composed or began hundreds of pieces. I’m 21, and I have about 5-7 solid pieces down for massive orchestras, concert bands, and chamber ensembles alike. I mimick the styles of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and post-modern and any hybrid of these. I use Finale. In other words, back the fuck off. Even if I composed nothing ever, my opinion would not be invalidated. That’s the same line of bullshit saying you can’t criticize movies if you’re not a director.

[@octoberphoenix]

The point is, the man has credentials, you don't. And as an afterthought, if it's not about criticizing things that you are not professionally involved in, as you stated, then why are you listing all the things that you've composed then?

[@moonrockinmynose5689]

I never understood Horner's popularity. This music is cheesy as hell. No subtlety, just pure kitschy Americana.

[@consonaadversapars]

I think "pure kitschy Americana" was the name of the job. I still consider his Star Trek scores to be his best. And those contain some great writing.

[@escopiliatese3623]

Don’t be stealing my comments ye dog.

[@moonrockinmynose5689]

@@escopiliatese3623 Are you realy that daft to think several people cannot hold the same opinion?

[@escopiliatese3623]

moonrockinmynose Are you really that full of pure concentrated, unmitigated stupidity that you cannot understand stunningly obvious sarcasm?

[@escopiliatese3623]

He didn’t respond because he admits his idiocy.