BURBANK, Calif. (June 7, 2012) – Disney-Pixar's
epic fantasy adventure "Brave" harnesses the magic of ancient Scotland,
weaving the rich natural setting throughout the story and bringing it
to life with sophisticated filmmaking and extraordinary performances.
The music of "Brave" elevates the authenticity with a fresh and
contemporary approach to Oscar®-nominated composer Patrick Doyle's
score, as well as two original songs performed by lauded Scottish Gaelic
singer Julie Fowlis. A third original song plays during the film's
epilogue and is performed by UK singing sensation Birdy with British
folk rock band Mumford & Sons.
Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda
Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, "Brave" hits theatres on
June 22, 2012. The film's soundtrack from Walt Disney Records will be
available June 19, 2012.
"The music of 'Brave' supports the story, bolstering this epic journey with Merida,"
said director Mark Andrews. "The music really sets the tone for the film and
underscores the time period. We wanted to capture this ancient feel of
Scotland and the music really adds another layer of authenticity."
THE SCORE
Scottish-born
Patrick Doyle, only the fourth composer to write a score for a Pixar
film, used a variety of native Scottish instruments such as bagpipes,
solo fiddle, Celtic harps, flutes and the bodhran. To
give the score a contemporary and fresh feel he included original
bespoke electronic sounds and electronically treated dulcimer and
cimbalom. "I employed many classic Scottish dance rhythms such as reels, jigs and strathspeys, which not only serve the action but keep it authentic," said Doyle. "I particularly loved composing the Gaelic lament 'Noble Maiden Fair' with my son Patrick Neil, sung so beautifully by Emma [Thompson] and Peigi [Barker]."
ORIGINAL SONGS
Two
new songs performed by acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis
are among the film's musical highlights. "Touch the Sky," with music by
Pixar's own Alex Mandel and lyrics by Mandel and director Mark Andrews,
accompanies Merida's liberating and exhilarating ride through the forest
when she is able to escape the confines of castle life. The song "Into the Open Air," with music and lyrics by Mandel, is heard later in the
film during a special moment between mother and daughter. "If ever we
imagined a singing voice for Merida-the beauty, the clarity, the
directness and honesty-Julie embodies that and she's fantastic," said
producer Katherine Sarafian.
Added
Fowlis, "It was great to be invited to record and perform on the
soundtrack to 'Brave' and particularly to sing the songs which represent
the feisty, female lead Merida. I so enjoyed the
challenge of adding a dimension of acting to my singing in order to
bring Merida's character and inner feelings to life through song."
"Learn Me Right" is an original song performed by Birdy, whose
self-titled album has been awarded Gold and Platinum status in UK and
Europe respectively, and the Grammy®-nominated British folk rock group
Mumford & Sons, who also wrote, arranged and produced the track. "It's
quite fun doing a song for a movie rather than for an album," said
Marcus Mumford. "We liked the idea of having an orchestra in the
background and having a girl like Birdy sing-it's been quite
liberating." Added Birdy, "I love it because it tells a story. Although
it has a lot of emotion, it's also very upbeat and you want to dance to
it, which is why it works so well."
"'Learn
Me Right' is an amazing song," said Sarafian. "I feel something every
time I hear it. Mumford & Sons sketched out a piece that would do
justice to the culminating moment of the movie, underscoring the
emotion, heart and the lessons learned between mother and daughter. They
really found that moment of truth in the story we were trying to tell
and it takes the movie to a new level at the end."
The "Brave" soundtrack will be available wherever music is sold on June 19, 2012.
Track list :
1. "Touch the Sky" Performed by Julie Fowlis
2. "Into the Open Air" Performed by Julie Fowlis
3. "Learn Me Right" Performed by Birdy [with Mumford & Sons]
4. "Fate and Destiny" Score
5. "The Games" Score
6. "I Am Merida" Score
7. "Remember to Smile" Score
8. "Merida Rides Away" Score
9. "The Witch's Cottage" Score
10. "Song of Mor'du" Performed by Billy Connolly and Cast
11. "Through the Castle" Score
12. "Legends Are Lessons" Score
13. "Show Us the Way" Score
14. "Mum Goes Wild" Score
15. "In Her Heart" Score
16. "Noble Maiden Fair" (A Mhaighdean Bhan Uasal) Performed by Emma Thompson and Peigi Barker
17. "Not Now!" Score
18. "Get the Key" Score
19. "We've Both Changed" Score
20. "Merida's Home" Score