How ‘The Brutalist’ Composer Used Its Score to Make the Film ‘Feel Alive’

Fans of The Brutalist will soon get to play its music on wax. Rolling Stone can exclusively reveal that the film will release its Oscar-nominated score on vinyl. The film also shares a behind-the-scenes look of Daniel Blumberg’s score-writing process.

“We wanted the performances to feel alive. Like something was happening… I work with a lot of musicians and I let the recording go and everyone feeling free to work,” Blumberg says in the clip about the Brutalist score, which was built around the strings and woodwork of the piano.

The composer explains how key music was to certain scenes where actors “move to the music.” In the movie’s scene at a jazz bar, the composer welcomed an international band to perform live with the actors. “It was beautiful because all the actors could move to the music and the cinematographer could dance with the camera,” Blumberg says.

“The scenes are very precise in length. That was challenging to retain that live quality and hit the beats with the edit,” he adds. “It’s a good challenge though… It creates something that feels alive.”

The 32-track Brutalist score vinyl record will be pressed on 180-gram double vinyl and housed in printed sleeves and gatefold packaging with images designed by Sebastian Pardo. Blumberg worked closely with filmmaker Brady Corbet to create the music for the movie, which has made waves this awards season. The score — nominated for an Academy Award — was mixed and co-produced by Peter Walsh.

Disc 1, Side A
1. “Overture (Ship)”
2. “Overture (László)”
3. “Overture (Bus)”
4. “Chair”
5. “Van Buren’s Estate”
6. “Library”
7. “Jazz Club”
8. “Porn”

Disc 1, Side B
1. “Monologue”
2. “Up the Hill”
3. “Pennsylvania”
4. “Bicycle”
5. “Steel”
6. “Intermission”

Disc 2, Side C
1. “Erzsébet”
2. “Handjob”
3. “Bath”
4. “Building Site”
5. “Ribbon Cutting”
6. “Picnic by the Lake”
7. “Gordon’s Dinner”
8. “Looking at You”
9. “Vidui”

Disc 2, Side D
1. “New York”
2. “Stairs”
3. “Carrara”
4. “Marble”
5. “Tunnel”
6. “Construction”
7. “Heroin”
8. “Search Party”
9. “Epilogue (Venice)”