Soundtrack - National Geographic’s Series Genius : the score

Par Mulder, 16 juin 2017

Genius is an American anthology period drama television series produced by National Geographic, developed by Noah Pink and Kenneth Biller. The first season follows the life of Albert Einstein, from his early years, through his time as a patent clerk, to his later years as a physicist who developed the theory of relativity. The season is based on the 2007 book Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson. On April 19, 2017, National Geographic renewed the series for a second season, while also announcing that its subject will be revealed during the finale of the first season.

Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, (Gladiator, Driving Miss Daisy), reteams with Grammy-winning composer Lorne Balfe (The LEGO Batman Movie) to create the main title theme for National Geographic’s GENIUS. In addition to the theme, Balfe wrote an intensely strong and foreboding score for the 10-part series, starring Johnny Flynn and Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein, and Samantha Colley as Einstein’s first wife and one of the only women pursuing a science degree in the 1890’s. Written by Kenneth Biller and Noah Pink, the dramatic series explores both Einstein’s youth and his adulthood, illuminating what shaped him as the eclectic man he is known as today. The GENIUS score album is available digitally on Milan Records.

Lorne Balfe’s GENIUS score is romantic and at times bittersweet, featuring violin solos coupled with intense symphonies of fast paced ominous piano tones that create and guide a sense of drama, urgency, and uncertainty in Einstein’s life. Balfe’s score ebbs and flows with the characters as they experience revelations and hardships. Often rising as quickly as it falls, the composition is as layered and deep as the protagonist himself.

Lorne Balfe has collaborated with Hans Zimmer (Sherlock Homes, Inception) on many films including Balfe proving music and score producing on 2008′s “The Dark Knight,” which earned he and Zimmer a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture.

Hans Zimmer is one of Hollywood’s most innovative composers, having scored everything from Rainman to The Lion King and The Dark Knight Rises. Zimmer has won Grammys, Oscars and Tony Awards. Hans Zimmer has mentored and helped launch the careers of A-list composers including Henry Gregson-Williams, John Powell, Tom Holkenborg, Henry Jackman, and Heitor Pereira.

Lorne Balfe is a Grammy-winning, Emmy and BAFTA nominated film composer. He began his career in Hollywood providing additional music on several major motion pictures, including the second and third installments of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, “Iron Man,” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” He produced the score for Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” which also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. His talents have made him a sought-after composer, scoring films including DreamWorks Animation’s “Home” and “The Penguins of Madagascar” as well as “Manny”, a documentary about boxer Manny Pacquiao. His recent credits include “The LEGO Batman Movie” and “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman” (Revelations Entertainment). Balfe’s current projects include “Churchill” (Head Gear Films) and the second season of “The Crown” (Netflix).

Synopsis:
The first season focuses on theoretical physicist Albert Einstein during different periods in his life in a nonlinear narrative: as a patent clerk struggling to gain a teaching job and doctorate in his early life, and as an older respected mind for his development of the theory of relativity. Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn star as the old and young Einstein, respectively.

Genius
Based on Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Developed by Noah Pink, Ken Biller
Theme music composer : Hans Zimmer
Composer : Lorne Balfe
Starring : Geoffrey Rush (Albert Einstein), Emily Watson (Elsa Einstein), Johnny Flynn (Albert Einstein young), Samantha Colley (Mileva Maric), Seth Gabel (Michele Besso), Vincent Kartheiser (Raymond Geist), Richard Topol (Fritz Haber), Michael McElhatton (Dr Philipp Lenard), T.R. Knight (J. Edgar Hoover)

Photos : Copyright National Geographic Channel

(Source: press release 16th June 2017)