Emmy-winning composer Joel Goodman announces the release of the original motion picture soundtrack to JFK on November 11, 2013 (available for pre-order at joelgoodman.bandcamp.com/album/jfk). Featuring the tasteful emotional undercurrents and dramatic sensibility that audiences have come to expect from Goodman's scores, the JFK soundtrack combines an orchestra with unique synthesized organic instrumentation to produce a nuanced and provocative musical narrative.
JFK was produced by PBS's WGBH for their award-winning and critically acclaimed series American Experience. Recognizing the upcoming 50th anniversary of his assassination, it is a four-hour film that chronicles the youth, life, politics and presidency of John F. Kennedy on both public and personal levels. Says JFK director/producer Susan Bellows, "our film set out to give life to the man behind the myth, to look at what experiences shaped his world view, and how those things in turn shaped the presidency and the nation. I admired the emotional richness and musical range of Joel's previous scores for American Experience, and wanted to bring those qualities to the score for JFK. Joel collaborated really effectively with the production team, creating music that underscored beautifully the themes we explored in JFK's political and personal life."
The film's musical score features over two-and-a-half hours of original music by Goodman, and over 100 music cues. The soundtrack album consists of 27 tracks handpicked by Goodman to represent the essence of the score and story. JFK will premiere over two nights on November 11th and 12th, 2013.
"It's not every day one has the opportunity to be part of such an extraordinary project," said Goodman. "JFK was a complex man, and supporting his story with over two-and-a-half hours of music was a rare challenge. It forced me to be creative in the way I approached the themes and their arrangements. I wanted the music to stay fresh, but also feel consistent with the different storylines that persist throughout the film. I think I succeeded in this, and am very proud of the final score."
It was this feeling that led Goodman to create a soundtrack for JFK. Goodman explained, "Documentary soundtracks are a rare breed, and I'm very proud to be releasing this music. I wanted to try something different, and create an opportunity to tell one version of the story using rhythms, moods and melodies. It's an exciting way for me to supplement and react to the great film that has been made."
The soundtrack to JFK will be available digitally November 11th on Goodman's website and via most major online retailers. To purchase the album, visit joelgoodman.bandcamp.com/album/jfk. As a special bonus, those who purchase the album directly from Joel Goodman's site will also receive sheet music to a selection of the compositions on the album.