• Ingvarsson, H. R. (2009). Kvikmyndatónlist: Frumleiki?. Reykjavík, Iceland: Listaháskóli Íslands (Iceland University of the Arts).

Kvikmyndatónlist: Frumleiki? (2009)

What follows is Helgi Ingvarsson's BA dissertation (in Icelandic), published by the Iceland University of the Arts, Reykjavík, 2009. It is titled "Film music: originality?". The work was awarded a distinction.

The dissertation discusses different dramatic relationships between the visual and the musical in films. Ingvarsson introduces a possible (non-derogative) definition of "originality" for film music under the term "andstæðar tilfinningar", which could be translated as "polarised emotions". In short, with polarised emotions, possible hidden emotions of the drama are presented ambiguously to the viewer through music. This is opposite to "mickey mousing" where apparent emotions of drama are doubled by the music. This definition is elaborated on in relation to themes such as:

• Originality between film and music.

• Originality in musical material and arrangement.

• Music as determination of overall dramatic information or environment.

• Inner music.

The dissertation includes examples from works of composers such as Nino Rota, Howard Shore, Yann Tiersen, John Williams, and Bernard Herrmann.