Hannibal (2001) — A Pittsburgh Connection I just rewatched Hannibal (2001), the direct sequel to The Silence of the Lambs — the film where Anthony Hopkins first portrayed the infamous Hannibal Lecter and won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1991. What many people […]

The O.G. of cinematic guitar Gustavo Santaolalla had already built an impressive résumé — Amores Perros, 21 Grams, The Motorcycle Diaries (an astonishing soundtrack) — but it was 2005’s Brokeback Mountain where his cinematic sound truly took flight: minimalist guitar, expansive reverb, and open space […]

To the High Fells “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” — Henry David Thoreau I love trail running—even more than playing guitar. I live in Western Pennsylvania, where the topography is a relentless series of foothills building […]

Can’t Help falling in Love Elvis Presley’s performance of “Unchained Melody” — recorded just weeks before he passed — is one of the greatest moments in American Rock & Roll history. I eventually arranged that piece myself. Not quite as dramatic as Elvis, but his […]

Chains of Love I love the concept of the Wuthering Heights soundtrack; pairing the hyperpop energy of Charli xcx with a romantic period piece is an inspired choice. It’s a fascinating departure for Charli xcx, whose typical sound is up-tempo and experimental, rather than the […]

I Love You Too Much The Book of Life (2014) is a visually stunning tribute to Mexican culture and the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, the film uses a striking “wooden doll” animation style, giving the characters the charm […]

A soft collision of breath One of my favorite composers is Max Richter. To me, he is the father of post-classical music (sometimes referred to as post-minimalism or neo-classical). The magic of his work—take “On the Nature of Daylight,” for example—is that it’s simple enough […]

Of the undiscovered country “Hamnet” is a historical drama based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel. The film tells the profound story of love and loss between William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway (historically known as Anne Hathaway, but not the modern actress). The […]

The Glinting of Waking Fields I wrote the “The Glinting of Waking Fields” to evoke a morning’s gentle beginning. The song represents a landscape in the first light of dawn, with dew or sunlight creating a shimmering, sparkling effect across fields as they come to […]

Zambita Zambita is pretty little tune by Gustavo Santaolalla from the critically acclaimed film, The Motorcycle Diaries (2004). This instrumental track perfectly encapsulates the spirit of youthful adventure, self-discovery, and the vast, breathtaking landscapes of South America. Santaolalla, a two-time Academy Award winner for Best […]

Song From a Secret Garden Secret Garden is an Irish-Norwegian duo specializing in New Age instrumental music — combining elements of Celtic and neo-classical styles. The duo consists of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian composer and pianist Rolf Løvland. The pair rose to international […]

Now We Are Free “Now We Are Free” is one of Hans Zimmer’s most iconic themes, right up there with “Time” from Inception. Originally composed with vocalist Lisa Gerrard for Gladiator, the piece captures the Roman concept of the afterlife—Elysium—and the protagonist’s final journey home. […]