You may not know Alexandra Stréliski’s name, but you definitely know her music. The composer and pianist has been featured on the soundtracks to Dallas Buyers Club, Demolition, and the HBO series Sharp Objects. With Alexandra’s new album, Inscape, due out next week, we asked her what her favorite soundtracks were and she compiled this playlist. Check it out.
-Keenan Kush, Talkhouse Operations Manager
Phillip Glass — “The Poet Acts” (The Hours)
This soundtrack just grabs me each time I hear it. It is as though these notes can speak to my human existence. Somber, yet beautiful at the same time.
Hans Zimmer — “Day One” (Interstellar)
Interstellar’s soundtrack is a powerful work of art for me. Combining the textures of the organ, human voices, piano, and strings makes us feel like the entire humanity is getting lost in space and time. A sense of urgency, and so epic.
Samuel Barber & New York Philharmonic — “Adagio For Strings, Op. 11”
To me, this piece is a never-ending ascent to romance. It’s a classic
John Williams — “Schindler’s List: Main Theme” (Schindler’s List)
The entire Jewish history in one violin melody. I share origins with these events and I can feel these notes to my core.
Yann Tiersen — “Sur le fil” (Amélie)
How a simple piano song can say so much…
Alexandre Desplat — “Mr. Moustafa” (Grand Budapest Hotel)
I just love Desplat and Wes Anderson’s work overall. The fantasy of the orchestration is just amazing. It’s like walking in the Willy Wonka store of mandolins.
Gabriel Yared — “The English Patient: Main Title Theme” (The English Patient)
I love the Bach-like quality of this piece. It automatically brings me back to my childhood (I went to sleep listening to Glenn Gould when I was a kid).
Alexandra Stréliski — “Plus Tôt” (Sharp Objects)
For me, it’s a piece that talks about the space-time that you’re in before some events are about to change you. In Sharp Objects though, I think it represents a sort of twisted nostalgia… But no more will be said before you watch the show… 😉
