Nils Frahm Scores German Film 'Victoria'

BY Alex HudsonPublished May 11, 2015

Nils Frahm released his suprise Solo album just six weeks ago, and now the German pianist extraordinaire has already lined up his next release. It's a soundtrack for the German film Victoria.

The soundtrack album is logically titled Music for the Motion Picture Victoria, and it will be released on June 15 through Erased Tapes. The movie is about a night of partying that turns into a bank robbery, and a press release notes that "the music changes from techno to subdued piano sounds."

Frahm recorded the score at Berlin's Studio P4 along with cellist Anne Müller, violist Viktor Orri Árnason and guitarist Erik K. Skodvin (of Deaf Center). DJ Koze offered up an edit of the opening cut.

Below, read a statement from Frahm about the soundtrack followed by the album tracklist. At the bottom of the page, hear the quiet piano track "Them" and also check out a trailer for the film. The flick is directed by Sebastian Schipper and plays out entirely in one shot.

The soundtrack can be pre-ordered here.

Dear viewer and listener,

I've finally written music for a film. It took me some time to do so, as I was patiently waiting for a movie that would truly speak to me. When director Sebastian Schipper invited me to work on
Victoria, I knew it was worth the long wait. Does such a strong film even need music? I realised it wouldn't be easy to create a score that embraces these bold pictures.

Luckily we were given unusual creative freedom by approaching the movie together with Sebastian Schipper, who was keeping the production and direction to one single team. The score was recorded in a special location, the former GDR broadcasting production facilities that today host Studio P4. We simply put a big screen in the middle of the room, filled it with microphones and instruments, set the movie on loop and kept improvising on top of it together – my good friends and I.

The guest musicians started their recording session by playing a cohesive take over the course of the whole movie. This was the most interesting part of the day, since they hadn't seen the film before. They became spectators and creators at once, intuitively recording hundreds of different cues that way. You are about to listen to some of its highlights. I hope they do
Victoria and your ears justice.

With love, Nils Frahm


Music for the Motion Picture Victoria:

1. Burn with Me (Victoria Edit) by DJ Koze
2. Our Own Roof
3. A Stolen Car
4. In the Parking Garage
5. Them
6. The Bank
7. The Shooting
8. Nobody Knows Who You Are
9. Pendulum

Latest Coverage