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Segun Akinola's such a fascinating pick for Doctor Who composer because - not despite the fact that - he mostly did documentaries.
From the Radiophonic Workshop down to Gold, the music usually hypes up the weirdness and the emotion. But Akinola trusts the show to sell its tone.
From the Radiophonic Workshop down to Gold, the music usually hypes up the weirdness and the emotion. But Akinola trusts the show to sell its tone.
Documentary music tends towards subtlety and realism. Themes are tighter, repeated but expanded on (rather than identical replays of I Am the Doctor), and crucially, they don't *clash*. Blue Planet's music reflects - rather than tells you - how different whales or pufferfish are.
Whereas, I think, Murray Gold's music is all about clash. Themes that compete against each other, in a Wagnerian, Lord of the Rings kinda way, but heightened, inflected with clashing *genres*. Just listen to the Series 4 soundtrack - it's as varied as Dr Who itself!
So Akinola's music steps back more, trusting the onscreen drama to sell itself. When that drama's mushy, the music doesn't add emotional clarity - AKA how Gold "tells you what you should feel right now". But when that drama sings, so does the music.
S12's soundtrack is more Gold-esque, leaning into James Bond and pumping up the Doctor and Master's themes.
But all these approaches work! Whether the heightened realism of Chibnall/Akinola is "better" or "worse" than Gold's genre shock (esp under RTD) is kinda beside the point.
But all these approaches work! Whether the heightened realism of Chibnall/Akinola is "better" or "worse" than Gold's genre shock (esp under RTD) is kinda beside the point.
Anyway, I'm planning a National Treasure style heist to rob Murray Gold of the Series 10 soundtrack, so hmu if you want to join my crew
