BAFTA Awards 2019: Music and soundtrack winners announced

11 February 2019, 16:28 | Updated: 11 February 2019, 16:31

BAFTA nominees
BAFTA nominees. Picture: Getty

By Helena Asprou

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Founded in 1947, the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards honour outstanding achievements from the very best in entertainment.

Here is the full shortlist of soundtracks that were nominated.

Nominees for ‘Best Original Music’

BlackkKlansman

Spike Lee’s crime drama tells the story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer from Colorado who successfully infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan.

Written by Terence Blanchard, the soundtrack for BlackkKlansman is the first film listed in this prestigious category.

A fusion of classical and funk, popular tracks include the main theme and Blut Und Boden (Blood and Soil), complete with soaring strings and a dramatic guitar solo.

If Beale Street Could Talk

Directed by Barry Jenkins, this American romantic drama is a timeless tale set in early-1970s Harlem.

Nicholas Britell – also the man behind the music for Moonlight – wrote the movie’s original score, which includes the beautifully orchestrated ‘Agape’ and ‘Eros’.

Speaking about his collaboration with Jenkins, the composer told Pitchfork: “Together, we explored a sonic landscape filled with brass and strings, while also venturing into some quite extreme experimentation.

“I’m always fascinated by the mysteries of scoring a film. As Barry and I worked together, we discovered certain sounds which we felt deeply resonated with the story.”

Isle of Dogs

It seems Wes Anderson can do no wrong, having previously won a BAFTA for best ‘Original Screenplay’ for The Grand Budapest Hotel and nominations for several other awards.

Now, the soundtrack to Anderson’s latest stop-motion film Isle of Dogs – composed by Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat – has been selected for the Academy’s list.

Featuring the Japanese-inspired track ‘Shinto Shine’ and music to those unforgettable scenes, ‘Second Crash-Landing + Bath House + Beach Attack’, it’s a worthy nominee.

Wes Anderson, maker of Isle of Dogs
Wes Anderson, maker of Isle of Dogs. Picture: Getty

Mary Poppins Returns

Starring Emily Blunt and Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, this highly-anticipated sequel and its catchy soundtrack have been causing quite a stir among fans of the ‘60s original.

The album includes nine brand-new songs written by American composer Marc Shaiman, who collaborated with lyricist and Broadway writer Scott Wittman to really do them justice.

There’s no ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, but Shaiman’s score – which includes ‘Kite Takes Off’ and ‘Race to Big Ben’ – is just as memorable.

A Star Is Born – winner

Since its release last October, the music to Bradley Cooper’s debut romantic drama has been topping charts all over the globe.

The movie tells us the story of country singer Jackson Maine and struggling songwriter Ally who quickly fall in love after a chance encounter – but it all ends in tears and the moving score reflects this tragedy.

Co-written with Mark Ronson, Jason Isbell, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna, among other artists, the soundtrack combines live performances with studio recordings and includes the hit single ‘Shallow’ with Lady Gaga.

Winner of ‘Best sound’

This esteemed category has been presented to its winners since 1968 – and this year, it was Bohemian Rhapsody that picked up the award for outstanding sound design.

It was competing with First Man, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, A Star Is Born and A Quiet Place.