Oxblood Red Vinyl. Robin Carolan's latest soundtrack for Robert Eggers' highly anticipated Nosferatu is
a haunting, gothic-infused and meticulously crafted work that draws from a vast palette
of sounds, instruments, and inspirations. Following their successful collaboration on
The Northman, Carolan reunites with Eggers to bring the legendary tale of Nosferatu to
life, infusing the film with a score that is as complex and nuanced as the story itself.
With Daniel Pioro, one of Britain's most exciting young classical musicians, at the helm
as the orchestra leader and first chair for a vast majority of the recording, the soundtrack
features a vast orchestration, including 60 string players, a full choir, various horns and
woodwinds, a harpist, and two percussionists. Despite the grandeur of the orchestration, one of the most challenging pieces was the music box used at the film's beginning.
Carolan and Eggers struggled to perfect it's sound, a process marked by their meticulous
attention to detail, which Carolan describes as almost telepathic.
Set in the 1800s, Nosferatu allowed Carolan to incorporate contemporary instrumentation, though he made a deliberate effort to ensure the score didn't sound overly
modern. Letty Stott, who also worked on The Northman, contributed ancient horns and
pipes, enhancing the soundtrack's eerie atmosphere. Additionally, percussionist Paul
Clarvis custom-built a toaca-like instrument for added authenticity.
Carolan's inspirations for the soundtrack were as eclectic as they were profound. He
frequently drew upon the works of Bartok and Coil, while films like The Innocents,
Angels and Insects, and Eyes Wide Shut provided cinematic inspiration. Additionally, he
explored the more obscure side of Hammer Horror soundtracks and found a deep
connection to the music of the Ukrainian film The Eve of Ivan Kupalo, which helped
shape the score's otherworldly tone.
Carolan intentionally moved beyond the typical horror score, focusing on capturing the
tale's melancholy and tragic elements while weaving in a sense of warped romanticism.
The result is a soundtrack that not only complements the film but also stands on it's own
as a testament to Carolan's artistry and the enduring power of collaboration.
