How Prince of Egypt Writes the Voice of God | Video Essay

[@locsoluv94]

What just dawned on me while watching this video is that The Burning Bush isn't quite the first time we hear this melody. It was teased in All I Ever Wanted. Four of the five notes is present in the words "This is my home." It's missing the octave leap, but that makes sense because Moses hasn't quite started the leap into another world. He says "This is my home" and "Now I am home." Later on in The Plagues, this song is reprised and Moses says "This WAS my home." But me pointing this out just hammers in the idea that the voice of God leitmotif is familiar. We've heard it before. This is home.

[@TheoreticalYouTubeChannel]

THAT’S SUCH A GOOD POINT!!

[@locsoluv94]

@@TheoreticalKZbinChannel I'm not sure if the interval is the same, but the essence is still there.

[@Laura-ef3mm]

Really cool observation!!! And at the reprise of "All I ever wanted" his adoptive mother says to him "this is your home, my son", but, although the original melody goes up, when adding "my son" the melody finally goes down in this instance. I don't know that much about music, but it occurred to my that maybe it's a subtle way to empathizes how she's pushing Moses down, as when she next sings "now forget and be contempt; when the gods sent you a blessing you don't ask why was it".

[@Korvo.420]

I love how everyone can agree this movie is so good, religious or not

[@cadidelythdavage1862]

So glad people are still talking about this film

[@QuincyKane]

Good analysis! This film has so much to appreciate!

[@elizabethfontanilla1722]

That motif will be stuck in my head all day now. Great analysis!

[@mj92f15]

I always get goose bumps when I hear the music of this movie.

[@raychwagner3657]

I cannot thank you enough for making this video. As someone who absolutely adores and treasures this movie with all my heart, but with absolutely zero knowledge with sheet music and reading notes, I am absolutely astounded as to how much thought was put into just the MUSIC for the voice of God! And I also can’t thank you enough for breaking it down simply enough so that someone like I can understand it😂 thank you so much, truly❤❤

[@13mschen]

"That's the whole movie" absolutely sent me. Well done.

[@mithramusic5909]

I actually argue that Stephen Schwartz is likelier to have written the five note motif. Look how similar it is to the "Unlimited" theme that serves as a backbone in Wicked--also partially an homage to the melody from Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I think Zimmer did more of the orchestration.

[@singnprazn]

Definitely makes me want to rewatch Prince of Egypt soon now that you’ve explained certain things to notice. Brilliant!

[@ironswolemaiden]

9:17 Love the transition lol 5 stars

[@Laura-ef3mm]

I don't know that much about music but when you started talking about how the leitmotif start with the note F I thought, what if he used that one cause is the first letter of "faith"? I think is a subtle yet awesome coincide at least haha Great video I really liked it 😊!! Such a shame it doesn't have more likes or views!!! You're really expressive and charismatic too haha

[@saltenzy449]

such a fantastic film. there is no word that could describe the musical theme to represent God other than "awesome". Especially given the older definition of the word usually referenced the depth of power rather than shear coolness.

[@esthervelez8158]

I love this movie! Interesting breakdown of the music for God

[@theultimateusukfan]

the way u explained the notes was so cool! and i loved this movie as a kid too, but i didnt know the voice of god was also the voice of moses lol.

[@alanar8046]

First. You're awesome. Second I have always loved this movie! Thank you for this incredible breakdown pointing out stuff I never considered and giving me a reason to re-watch it!

[@bemasaberwyn55]

There is so many great composers and Hans is DEFINITELY a powerhouse

[@bigblueshoe777]

Awesome analysis!

[@brandonroy7554]

I’m sorry, how are there only a couple hundred views? Did I just get here that early? This needs millions.

[@avalon1007]

I watched your vid on HTTYD for One Musical Scene, and you have picked to do videos on my two faves from Dreamworks. I grew up with Prince of Egypt and HTTYD is still my favorite Dreamworks franchise (not kung fu panda and def not shrek, fight me in the comments if you disagree). Prince of Egypt had such a star-studded cast, and still gives me chills today largely due to the music. For those interested, the Hebrew spelling for god is typically "yud-yud" with vowels or "yud-hay-vav-hay" with vowels, which technically cannot be pronounced nor translated properly. It is intended to symbolize that god is indescribable. I thought your comment on the music itself being the voice of god is apt as something that cannot be fully understood or described. Additionally for those interested, many traditional Jewish prayers and songs are in a minor key, and modern composers have been making pushes to shift the melodies and compositions to be in major key.

[@junjunjamore7735]

17:10 ERETHEAL

[@michaelsanchez440]

Amazing video.

[@ReaperOfRock]

The music used to depict God and His miracles always gave me chills. I also always understood the multiple voices to be the voices of everyone Moses had interacted with. Representing how God is present in us all (if that is what you believe).

[@emilyfrancalangia516]

This video doesn't have enough likes

[@alexanderbarron8574]

92 views unaccebtable. O great Algarithm PUSH this.

[@caseyoung1527]

the prince of egypt is so good!

[@johnathanblauw2608]

I just want to say this was overall a phenomenal video! I was looking for Charles Cornell's commentary on this movie (strangely and sadly a thing that doesn't exist) But I thought your musical and overall theme comments of this movie were so on point, and better (I must admit, I'm most definitely a theology nerd, and i LOVE this movie, so there's that) than most of the commentaries I've watched on his channel! Thank you for sharing!!

[@williamthomas4242]

Yes, I liked this video!!

[@isaacchock7678]

God is very ‘know-able.’ But thanks for the video

[@mauricehoese9051]

First