Analysis: Alien - The Skeleton Theme (Case Study)

Analysis: Alien - The Skeleton Theme.

The soundtrack to Ridley Scott's 'Alien' composed by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the most notable and renowned for employing the underlying motif of fear and horror. The theme 'The Skeleton' is utilised in the scene where the crew from the 'Nostromo' land on LV-426 after receiving a distress call. Some members of the crew explore the planetoid (LV-426) finding an unusual chamber filled with eggs and what appears to be a statue of a strange alien life form. The theme suits the visuals by presenting us with a tense atmosphere from the onset, and provides instrumentation which appeals to the setting of space and desolation.

This analysis will focus on the main melodic theme and the introductory build up. The theme has no scores written other than the handwritten notes prepared by the composer, these are very difficult to read and in some cases impossible, they would only be identifiable by the person who wrote them. Therefore parts of the musical score have been adapted by listening to the original recordings of the piece and by identifications within the handwritten works.

Introduction.

The piece has one sharp (#) therefore the key is E minor.

The Time signature of the piece is 2/4 simple time. The time signature is continuous throughout with no changes occurring.

The piece is written at a tempo of Andantino which means 'slightly slower than andante' It falls between 78 bpm and 83 bpm.

The introduction begins with an almost percussive phrase played on the Cello and Double Bass which has an echo effect added to it, this emphasises the setting of space as it provides a desolate, almost everlasting atmospheric effect.  

Figure 1.  Introduction. (Percussive Double bass and Cello Staccato notes over sustained violin)

The phrase is made up of two short stabbing 'C' and 'G' notes which slowly echo and decay, this phrase is accompanied by a long sustaining 'C' note on the violin which provides an unsettling tone utilising a vibrato technique to make the note seem unstable.

There is also a frantic violin section playing a flurry of notes back and forth to add to the tense atmosphere established by the introduction.

The swelling introduction is ended by a sharp bowing effect which is used as a jump scare effect (it is unexpected causing the listener to feel threatened). 

 Main Melody.

The main melody is composed of slow sustained notes played on the Bassoon. These notes are very smooth in texture, contrasting with the staccato string section which plays loud, aggressive and frantic notations presented in the introduction. The timbre of the Bassoon gives the music a very spacious sound, fitting into the context of desolation and space.

Figure 1. Main Melody (part one).

The Melody is broken into two sections, one shorter introductory section, which introduces the motif and builds a sense of tension, the second longer variation of the melody used to reinstate the  motif and tension.

The Melody starts on the note 'B' moving to the note 'A' and then finishing on the note 'B'. The 'B' is the fifth of the scale used and creates a sense of suspense, it requires resolution to the tonic of 'E' but when this expectation is not met it produces an emotional response which brings about tension and suspense.

Figure 2. Main Melody (part two).

The variation starts on 'B' and moves to 'A' like the introductory melody, but then moves to the notes of 'C' and 'F#' which leads the listener into believing the phrase will somehow resolve. However the note 'B' is then re-established as opposed to the tonic note 'E'. This technique alters the listeners expectations. The reinstatement of tension brought about by going back to the 'B' creates an even greater response than when the melody was initially established.