Part C: Film Technique Analysis: Music

The loud, sharp, piercing sound of the Organ at the beginning of the sequence is intricate and mournful. It blends from the production names into the visual element to create suspense and a mysterious feel. The effect from this piece of music is melancholic.The quick, light buzz of the violins create a sense of urgency and add to the tension. It fits well with the visuals in the sequence also-even though the organ is not playing at this point, the mournful mood is carried through by the other music that follows. The alternation between light and dark styled music provides variation to match the visuals, and most of the musical sequences provide symbolic echoes of the plot.

For example, the images of the foreboding chair, the stylized, thick blood and the heavy cogs of the chair and the machinery of the oven are emphasized by the high-pitched violins, and the dark bass sound. The music helps to create a feel of these objects having significance and importance. It is an instrumental piece with no singing at this stage. There are changes in the pace, volume and type of music throughout the sequence, as we hear different instruments being introduced.

Diegetic sounds: squelching blood and cogs moving

The longer notes played on the Organ and darker instruments continue the feeling of the suspense and action, reinforcing the original mood that the music set. The next instruments of viola and violin which buzz and are light and short suggest a curious yet sombre feel; a softer and more inviting sound. This sound continues as we see the chimneys and the window of Mrs Lovett's attic. Now we hear some diegetic sounds; thunder, rain,the blood drops that fall with the rain and the splatter of blood on the window. These sounds help link the blood with the attic and the significance that the room holds. The killings take place here and the placement of the blood and noise at this point help to convey that. Also, when Sweeney Todd was known as Benjamin Barker, he lived with his wife and child in the room above Mrs Lovett's pie shop. This has significance to the background of the film, and his purpose for returning to Fleet Street.

The hum quickly escalates with some dark notes before a very distinct flute is introduced. This gives whimsy and a virtuous feeling to the piece. This mood relates to Sweeney's virtuous wife and the music almost plays out the back-story; dark and gloomy for the tragic, immoral parts and lighter and almost joyful for the romantic parts. We can also hear some diegetic sound with the music here: the cog creaking and beginning to turn, the blood squelching down and filling the cogs. These sounds add to the atmosphere and layer the detail in the sound. The mood is heightened when the blood drips onto the chair cogs; indicated by the increase in pace and pitch- the higher notes suggesting urgency, or lowering of pitch; the lower notes more menacing and pernicious. Once again the mood is heightened  when we see the blood and water rushing out of the pipe and into the sewer; the music matching the grim images. The music at this point is in a style that is used often in horror or thriller films before a scary moment, a violent murder or capture.

The background of the strings is still there, trumpet, trombone and drums are added, layering up the instruments until it flies into a crescendo; with rich bass notes, an increase in both pace and pitch, with the underlying low notes balancing out the sound. The crescendo could be seen as the turning point in the film or the events that led up to the film. For example, the judge taking Sweeney away, pursuing Lucy, (Sweeney's wife), adopting his daughter,or Sweeney's purposeful return.

We hear diegetic sound when the blood boils in the oven, and the flames from the oven are shown. These sounds and images link the blood and violence to the disposal of the bodies, and ultimately, the creation of human pies.

Diegetic sounds: Blood boiling and flames

The lull in the music alludes to the softer parts of the plot, and to the helplessness that some of the characters face. It releases the built up tension that the previous music has made, providing delicacy to the music.This matches the intricacy of the film and the more positive parts. For example, the flashbacks to Sweeney's life before prison and Mrs Lovett's fantasies about how her life could be with Mr Todd. The ominous tone at the heart of the piece with the strong, sharp notes returning and repeating builds up the tension and links to the more sinister events in the film.Toward the end it almost sounds like a low, echoing hum of voices, desperate and sad. 

Stephen Sondheim has used the variation of instruments to create a beautiful yet haunting opening track that engages the viewer from the very beginning; musically there is a strong, distinctive attitude to the film, without any dialogue or singing. It is unmistakable and cannot be missed. It is loud and demands attention; which links to the visual components of the film also.The forceful cutting sound of some of the instruments such as the woodwinds, the bass and the drums position the listener to be alert and want to know what happens next, preparing to be launched into a grim musical.

Mr Burton's view on the music aspect: 
“I always felt it was like a silent movie with music in it — those old black and white horror movies.When you think of people like Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff, they have a strong image of a character, sort of "let the eyes do the talking. That's why we kind of minimized the dialogue and let them tell the story through their eyes and the music." 
 
Throughout the rest of the film music is widely used to link to the plot and visual elements. At times it is softer and tender; for example when Sweeney Todd is singing about his beautiful wife and his past, or when Mrs Lovett sings " I am your friend too, Mr Todd" . The music and lyrics blend beautifully, hence when the lyric is of a darker nature, the music becomes haunting to match.

 " They all deserve to die, because the lives of the wicked should be made brief, for the rest of us death will be a relief, we all deserve to die."

 This is an example of a lyric sung by Sweeney Todd when he decides he will "relieve" as many men as he can of their lives or struggles in order to sharpen up his murderous skill until he has the chance to give the judge-who is his ultimate target. "the closest shave he will ever recieve".

It is very effective in enhancing the emotion in the lyrics and therefore fits with the plot and theme of the play, without being garish or standing out. Most of the movie is sung, and as the song is in a natural, conversational tone, it is a positive thing. In my view, the nature and brilliance of the stage musical orchestration  is portrayed artistically and in a strong style through the use of the music in the movie.