The Ninth Gate

Silva Screen Records

Music Composed by Wojciech Kilar

Produced by Wojciech Kilar, John Timperley, and James Fitzpatrick

Conducted by Stepan Konicek

Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Featuring Soprano Sumi Jo

Release Date: 1999

     While the trailer for The Ninth Gate makes it look like one of those supernatural horror films that seemed to be all the rage in the late 70s and early 80s, the music alters that impression. Wojciech Kilar’s score is serene, in a creepy sort of way, and never bows to the clashing orchestral hits that mark typical horror scores. Since I haven’t seen the film, I don’t know whether this is due to the nature of the movie, or whether Kilar was taking a different approach to scoring a horror film, but from what I’ve read off the Internet this film is more a suspenseful whodunit rather than a forces-of-evil vs. man horror picture.

     With standard horror scoring out of the picture, Kilar focuses on more effective ways to generate tension and suspense. The haunting soloist in the very first track sets the stage well, and contributes well to the overall spookiness of the music. The soloist is almost always present whenever the main theme appears, which is more than a far share of tracks. There is another theme that is also used quite often, and it provides a nice contrast to the eerie refrains of Sumi Jo. It is a tad more light-hearted than anything else, but there is still a sense of malice behind this Eastern European sounding piece (read: Transylvanian). There are a few times when the music begins to pick up pace, but generally it follows the same creepy mood that is established in the first track. 

     Kilar has but together a wonderful score for this genre, but to me its one of those scores that isn’t one to be listened to very often (unless you’re in a really bad mood, or want to scare yourself at night). If you like this kind of dark, suspenseful music, or you enjoyed Kilar’s previous work with Dracula, then you'll probably want to check this CD out. ****

Track Listing

1 - Vocalise - Theme from The Ninth Gate (3:58)

2 - Opening Titles (3:35)

3 - Corso (3:28)

4 - Bernie is Dead (4:32)

5 - Liana (3:03)

6 - Plane to Spain (Bolero) (4:48)

7 - The Motorbike (1:19)

8 - Missing Book / Stalking Corso (4:41)

9 - Blood On His Face (1:13)

10 - Chateau Saint Martin (4:06)

11 - Liana's Death (2:39)

12 - "Boo!" / The Chase (4:29)

13 - Balkan's Death (3:52)

14 - The Ninth Gate (1:14)

15 - Corso and The Girl (3:21)

16 - Vocalise - Theme from The Ninth Gate (Reprise) (3:56)

Total Running Time: 54:20