Hi Composing Lounge Fam!
I came across a fantastic breakdown this week that I couldn't wait to share with all of you!
It's a deep dive on the opening of The Prince of Egypt, specifically the opening sequence "Deliver Us" by Stephen Schwartz with orchestration by Hans Zimmer, and the way it does something almost impossible. In just under 7 minutes, it establishes the entire premise of the film, introduces the emotional stakes, foreshadows the hero's journey, weaves together multiple thematic motifs, and manages to break your heart along the way. All before the story has technically even begun.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h0NQkkx5fw
What I love about this breakdown is how it shows just how much storytelling can live in a well-composed opening. The trumpet motif, the shift from E minor to C major when the lullaby is introduced, the way "Deliver Us" transforms across key changes as Moses is carried down the Nile, none of that is decoration. Every choice is telling the story before the audience even knows they're being told one.
Which got me thinking about how much power an opening piece of music holds, and how many of our favorite films are unforgettable BECAUSE of what happens in those first few minutes musically.
So I'd love to hear from all of you:
- What is an opening piece of film music that immediately pulls you into the story? What is it about it that works so well for you?
- If you're a composer, how do you think about scoring an opening? What's the balance between establishing tone, introducing thematic material, and leaving room for the story to unfold?
- And what's a film opening you've studied over and over because of what the music accomplishes in such a small window?
I'd love to hear which openings live rent-free in your head. And if you have a favorite scene worth sharing, drop the clip or link in the comments so we can all listen along together!
Hi Ashley,
It's really interesting to hear the instrument that opens the piece. It's definitely not something I would have thought of myself, and that's what makes it so inspiring. Sometimes it's easy to fall into clichés and assume that establishing an Egyptian setting means relying heavily on native Egyptian instruments. Instead, the opening immediately captures the feeling and emotional weight of the story without depending on those obvious musical choices.
That, to me, is one of the greatest strengths of the score. Rather than saying, "This is Egypt," it says, "This is the story you're about to experience." The music establishes emotion first, allowing the setting to emerge naturally through the storytelling.
It's a great reminder that film music isn't always about representing a place or culture literally—it's about serving the narrative and the emotions behind it.
One opening I've revisited countless times is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Howard Shore establishes the mythology, the scale, and the emotional weight of Middle-earth within minutes. Another is Up, where Michael Giacchino introduces themes that continue to evolve throughout the film, making the score feel like a character in its own right.
Thanks for sharing this breakdown. It's a fantastic reminder that the opening cue isn't just there to accompany the first scene—it invites the audience into the world of the film and gives them a reason to stay.