The soundtrack for The Brutalist, Brady Corbet’s ambitious epic drama, offers a distinctive auditory experience that mirrors the emotional and physical landscapes of the film. Composed by Daniel Blumberg, known for his evocative score for The World to Come, the music of The Brutalist is as much a character in the film as the visionary architect it follows. Set in the aftermath of post-war Europe, the narrative focuses on the journey of a man trying to rebuild both his life and his marriage, while navigating a complex world of artistic ambition and personal turmoil. The soundtrack complements this journey by offering a soundscape that blends minimalist textures, modern classical elements, and subtle emotional depth.
The film, starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, takes the audience through a transformative period in the life of a visionary architect, as he arrives in America to rebuild his career. As he faces the challenges of his environment, his relationship with his wife, and his inner struggles, the soundtrack mirrors his internal battles and the changing dynamics of his world. Whether it’s the stark, haunting melodies of the “Overture” or the more delicate, intimate tones in tracks like “Picnic by the Lake,” the score sets a profound mood that enhances the story’s emotional gravity.
The Composition: A Balance of Tension and Release
Blumberg’s approach to scoring The Brutalist is notably subtle yet powerful. The album begins with a series of “Overture” tracks, each representing a different setting or moment in the architect’s journey. For example, “Overture (Ship)” brings a sense of movement and departure, setting the stage for the protagonist’s transition from the familiar to the unknown. In contrast, “Overture (László)” and “Overture (Bus)” introduce a sense of arrival and anticipation, as the architect navigates the complexities of his new life.
As the soundtrack progresses, tracks like “Chair” and “Library” reflect moments of solitude and introspection, while pieces such as “Jazz Club” and “Building Site” add layers of tension and contrast, evoking both the frenetic energy and quiet despair of the protagonist’s changing circumstances. The minimalism in tracks like “Van Buren’s Estate” and “Erzsébet” allows the listener to focus on the raw emotion embedded within the music, drawing a parallel between the quiet spaces of the architect’s inner world and the stark, imposing structures he creates.
One of the standout moments of the album is the track “Intermission,” which features a collaboration with renowned pianist John Tilbury. This extended piece, lasting over 11 minutes, serves as a sonic break, a moment of reflection and introspection that mirrors the film’s more contemplative sequences. The delicate interplay of piano and ambient sounds during this piece allows the listener to fully immerse themselves in the emotional nuances of the film’s journey.
Thematic Resonance: Architecture and Sound
At its core, the soundtrack of The Brutalist is as much about the tension between architecture and the human experience as it is about the narrative itself. The track titles, such as “Steel,” “Marble,” and “Construction,” evoke not only the physical materials of architecture but also the emotional weight these materials carry in the story. The soundtrack’s overall tone is one of creation and destruction, building and deconstructing — much like the protagonist’s journey through both his personal and professional life.
In addition to this, tracks like “Train Crash” and “Heroin” explore darker, more chaotic elements, reinforcing the destructive forces at play in the film. The music in these moments feels jarring and discordant, much like the moments of personal crisis that the architect faces.
The album concludes with “Epilogue (Venice),” a fittingly reflective piece that draws on the themes of both personal reconciliation and artistic resolution. As the protagonist faces the culmination of his journey, the music’s gentle rhythms and subtle harmonies offer a sense of closure, bringing the emotional arcs of the film to a satisfying conclusion.
A Soundtrack to Remember
Overall, The Brutalist soundtrack is an essential complement to the film’s narrative. Through a thoughtful mix of minimalist motifs, classical elements, and poignant emotional cues, Daniel Blumberg has crafted a score that enhances the film’s thematic depth and amplifies its dramatic tension. The soundtrack stands as a testament to the power of music in storytelling, proving that sound can be as transformative as the architecture it accompanies.
Track List:
- Overture (Ship)
- Overture (László)
- Overture (Bus)
- Chair
- Van Buren’s Estate
- Library
- Jazz Club
- Porn
- Monologue
- Up the Hill
- Pennsylvania
- Bicycle
- Steel
- Intermission (feat. John Tilbury)
- Erzsébet
- Handjob
- Bath
- Building Site
- Ribbon Cutting
- Picnic by the Lake
- Gordon’s Dinner
- Looking at You
- Train Crash
- New York
- Stairs
- Carrara
- Marble
- Tunnel
- Construction
- Heroin
- Search Party
- Epilogue (Venice)