7. Dracula (1931) - Philip Glass
Here we get to take a look at a truly unique specimen. Acclaimed modern composer Philip Glass was commissioned by Universal Studios to write a new score for Tod Browningss classic Dracula. Glass composed almost wall-to-wall music to accompany the film, making exhaustive use of a string quartet (the recording of the score was performed by the Kronos Quartet). The arrestingly haunted music runs the gamut from high piercing violins to low, methodically repetitive cellos. It effectively recaptures the sensual terror that made the film so popular back in the 30s. Working almost as an elixir, the music rejuvenates the film, restoring it to its former glory. The score is used to literally unearth the horrific, eternal themes of mortality and sexuality that were once thought to be lost to time, as is the fate of many classic, yet laughably out of date films and their tragically muddled themes. Everything fades as it becomes diluted and familiar. The music alone holds an arresting power as you listen, as if Dracula himself is hypnotizing you. It conjures gothic, threatening images of looming castles whose reaching towers cut into the cascading black clouds above. Could there be a more fitting score for the son of the devil?