The Soundtrack Space: Cinderella

Disney’s live-action remake of Cinderella proved that, sometimes, a remake can actually work. Cinderella (2015), directed by Kenneth Branagh, brought new life to the story, with the same Disney magic as the original. As well as the most breathtaking Cinderella dress I have ever seen, the magic of the film is brought to life through Patrick Doyle’s gorgeous soundtrack.

‘A Golden Childhood’ is a whimsical piece that reflects Ella’s childhood before tragedy. Doyle employs childlike melodies to portray a sense of wonder. He uses high notes to convey innocence and joy.

‘A New Family’ opens as a soft piece. It slowly transforms into a threatening sound with the use of low brass and string instruments, hinting at the true intentions of her new stepmother.  These machinations are demonstrated in how the stepmother changes the household. The track titled ‘Life and Laughter’ reflects these changes in alterations to the sound. It resembles traditional string music, rather than the joyous music used to underscore Ella’s childhood.

In this eponymous track, the melancholic opening is transformed into a whimsical piece

The shift in tone is evidenced in ‘Orphaned’, as the death of Ella’s father leaves her alone and vulnerable. The music embodies this, as it is quiet and melancholic. The tone conveys the emotional weight of this moment. She is hopeless, left in a household that treats her as a servant.

Doyle’s soundtrack for Cinderella distinguishes between scenes of emotion and scenes of action. ‘The Stag’ is one such action sequence, as Ella races into the forest and comes across a hunting party, and the Prince. The rhythm has a sense of pace and urgency. The grand brass flourishes score the introduction of Prince Charming, and the second half of the piece demonstrates their blossoming romance. Doyle employs one of the central motifs here to signify the importance of this moment.

Magical elements are integrated into the film with the introduction of the Fairy Godmother. In this eponymous track, the melancholic opening is transformed into a whimsical piece. Its tone evolves into something distinctive from the previous tracks as it has a humorous quality, through the sound of wind instruments. The piece crescendos as the Fairy Godmother is revealed.

He uses a dramatic version of the ‘Lavender’s Blue Dilly Dilly’ nursery rhyme that is scattered as a motif throughout

‘Pumpkins and Mice’ is the moment where the magic comes to fruition. It has a mischievous, mysterious quality to it. The music crescendos as the pumpkin grows to extreme proportions and then transforms into a beautiful carriage. The score explodes into a dramatic string melody.

One of my favourite pieces of Doyle’s soundtrack album is the track titled ‘Who Is She’. This beautiful piece underscores the moment when Ella is revealed to the guests and the Prince at the ball. This iconic moment is brought to life by Doyle. He uses a dramatic version of the ‘Lavender’s Blue Dilly Dilly’ nursery rhyme that is scattered as a motif throughout.

The ball scene uses traditional dance compositions. For instance, Ella and Kit (Prince Charming)’s first dance is soundtracked by a piece titled ‘La Valse de L’Amour’ (literally “the waltz of love”). Doyle wrote various pieces for the ball dances, either waltzes or polkas, with waltzes traditionally slower, sweeping pieces, and polkas as bouncy and fast-paced. The ‘La Valse de L’Amour’ is romantic, showing the connection between Ella and Kit.

Doyle’s work for Cinderella does a wonderful job at capturing the essence of Disney magic

The aftermath of the ball is depicted through ‘Shattered Dreams’. The hopeful, energetic melody at the beginning is disrupted by a threatening melody that represents the evil stepmother. Low-pitched wind instruments and strings often signify danger, in this case, the threat that such a villainous character presents.

‘Courage and Kindness’ slows down the earlier motif to make for a poignant moment. The melody is magical, blossoming into a grand, triumphant celebration as Ella and Kit get married. The sound of bells resembles wedding bells. This classic happily-ever-after ending is perfectly represented through Doyle’s score.

Overall, Doyle’s work for Cinderella does a wonderful job at capturing the essence of Disney magic. He uses traditional compositions, as well as motifs from nursery rhymes, to reflect the fairytale quality of Cinderella.