Bridgerton’s Mixed Use of Classical Music

With a new season coming out very soon, the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Bridgerton (2020) will once again be the talk of the town. Not only for its dramatic portrayals of love and romance in a 18^th century London show, but also for its use of new and old music alike.  

Narrative

 

Directed by Chris Van Dusen, this American streaming period drama visual project is based on a novel by Julia Shonda Rhimes of the same name. The narrative revolves around the competitive world of Regency era London “ton”, also known as Britain’s high society, during the social season where high society members would often hold balls and other social events, as young women of powerful families come of age and are in search for their significant other. In particular, we follow the protagonist Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of her powerful family, as she tries to find love. The TV Netflix series is currently at one season, with season two releasing this Friday (March 25^th).

 

The Music 

 

While the show is based on 18^th century London, the way the narrative is told is quite along the lines of Gossip Girland Pride and Prejudice. Due to this storytelling decision, the music has also taken a turn by incorporating a modern spin of today’s modern hits covered by orchestral instruments. The soundtrack heavily uses music from the Vitamin String Quartet, a string ensemble that covers modern music. Some of these famous tracks used in the show are Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next”, Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood”, and Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy”, among several other well-known hits. Unlike some modern jukebox musicals, which can often times rub off as distasteful, the pop music in Bridgerton is used quite well with the context of the scene. One example is in the first episode of the show, where we find Daphne Bridgerton during the first ball of the season, pushing away potential suitors with a string rendition of Ariana Grande’s “Thank u, next” being played in the background. While modern music is being used, the fact that it is an instrumental version allows for the classical pieces to fit in well, but also feel different enough that creates a nice diversity in music.

 

The addition of classical music, gives an interesting balance that unexpectedly works well within the show. The modern music instrumental covers heavily used in the show, allows the audience to distinguish the classical pieces quite easily. The decision of still using these classical pieces, allows the viewers to stay aware of the time period of which the show takes place. Regardless of the modern take in storytelling for a period show, the classical music allows us to feel more involved in the story and keep us grounded, regardless of the drama that is being portrayed on screen.

 

Classical Pieces

 

Although more of a rendition of a classical piece, I did find it important to mention the use of Max Richter’s The Four Seasons Recomposed: “Spring I”. We have briefly touched on this piece before in a post about The Crown’s Royal Use of Classical Music, where the piece served as a refreshing break from the pop songs used in the show. The same could be said for Bridgerton, where while the piece mixes well into the soundtrack because of the string/classical arrangement versions of the pop songs, it still stands out as not deriving from a pop song. The song is used beautifully in the episode “After the Rain” (S1, E8), as Daphne and Simon dance together at the ball and it begins to rain. The music carries the weight of Daphne’s emotions, yet has a dreamy and light feel that beautifies the scene all the more. 

 

As a show surrounding grand balls and waltzing, it is expected that we will often hear well-known waltz pieces. One of these well-known and often overused pieces is Soviet-Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s (Dmitrij Šostakovič), Jazz Suite No. 2: “VI. Waltz No. 2”. The saxophone theme in the piece, adds to what the show calls “a sensual and provocative” evening at Lady Trowbridge’s ball. This unique waltz perfectly capturing the essence of the ball itself.

 

One thing that became more noticeable as the show went on, is the use of classical music in the presence of royalty. Some examples of this would be in the episode “Diamond of the First Water” (S1, E2) as we arrive to Buckingham Palace to meet with the queen we hear Mozart's Piano Sonata No.14 in C Minor, Kv 457, "I. Allegro"; in that same episode, Mozart’s Violin Sonata No.17 in C Major, K. 296: “III: Rondo: Allegro” plays in the scene with Queen Charlotte watching a contortionist performance. Another example would be in the episode “Oceans Apart” (S1, E7) as Franz Joseph Haydn’s “String Quartet No. 82 Op.77” is played at the Queen’s garden party. 

Analysis

 

The Netflix show Bridgerton is a wonderful show, not only proven by its Emmy nomination, but by it’s brilliant use of classical and modern pop music. The simple fact that the pop music was somewhat hidden due to well-done string renditions, mixed in with the classical music, within the given context, works very well. The mix justifies and balances with the modern twist to a romantic period drama, and we can't wait to see what classical pieces will be used in season 2.