Lincoln

Lincoln is a 2012 film score by John Williams, composed for his 26th film in collaboration with director Steven Spielberg.

The composing process
Restraint was key to Williams' approach to the score. "The central focus of the soundtrack is dialogue," he said. "It plays more like a theater piece, so accompanying elements like music and sound effects are in proper proportion for this kind of presentation."

In preparation for his work, Williams researched American music at the time of the Civil War. "I thought that the music in some fundamental way should have the harmonic and melodic grammar of the 19th century -- music that might have been heard at the time." He decided on 19th-century church melodies and Appalachian folk music as his influences. "So the modalities are hymnal, if you like," he said. "It's all original, but that's the vocabulary."

Recording sessions
Williams and Spielberg chose to record the score with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, given that Lincoln was born in Illinois, and that the state was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment, which was the focus of the film. "Steven and I said to each other, 'They've earned the right to do this.' "

The score was recorded over a three-day period, with actor Daniel Day-Lewis in attendance for all three days. According to Williams, Day-Lewis' interest in the recording process was "certainly a first in my experience."

Awards
Williams received his 48th Oscar nomination for Lincoln.

Original Soundtrack
The original soundtrack was released on November 6, 2012.



All selections written by John Williams, except:

"Call to Muster and Battle Cry of Freedom" contains excerpts from "The Battle Cry of Freedom," written by George Frederick Root

"Race to the House" consists of "They Swung John Brown to a Sour Apple Tree," "Three Forks of Hell," "Last of Sizemore," and "Republican Spirit," all traditional, arranged by Jim Taylor