They really found that moment of truth in the story we were trying to tell and it takes the movie to a new level at the end." Mumford & Sons sketched out a piece that would do justice to the culminating moment of the movie, underscoring the emotion, heart and the lessons learned between mother and daughter. "'Learn Me Right' is an amazing song," said Sarafian. Although it has a lot of emotion, it's also very upbeat and you want to dance to it, which is why it works so well." "We liked the idea of having an orchestra in the background and having a girl like Birdy sing-it's been quite liberating." Added Birdy, "I love it because it tells a story. "It's quite fun doing a song for a movie rather than for an album," said Marcus Mumford. "Learn Me Right" is an original song performed by Birdy, whose self-titled album has been awarded Gold and Platinum status in UK and Europe respectively, and the Grammy®-nominated British folk rock group Mumford & Sons, who also wrote, arranged and produced the track. I so enjoyed the challenge of adding a dimension of acting to my singing in order to bring Merida's character and inner feelings to life through song." "If ever we imagined a singing voice for Merida-the beauty, the clarity, the directness and honesty-Julie embodies that and she's fantastic," said producer Katherine Sarafian.Īdded Fowlis, "It was great to be invited to record and perform on the soundtrack to 'Brave' and particularly to sing the songs which represent the feisty, female lead Merida. The song "Into the Open Air," with music and lyrics by Mandel, is heard later in the film during a special moment between mother and daughter. "Touch the Sky," with music by Pixar's own Alex Mandel and lyrics by Mandel and director Mark Andrews, accompanies Merida's liberating and exhilarating ride through the forest when she is able to escape the confines of castle life.
Two new songs performed by acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis are among the film's musical highlights. "I particularly loved composing the Gaelic lament ' Noble Maiden Fair' with my son Patrick Neil, sung so beautifully by Emma and Peigi. "I employed many classic Scottish dance rhythms such as reels, jigs and strathspeys, which not only serve the action but keep it authentic," said Doyle. To give the score a contemporary and fresh feel he included original bespoke electronic sounds and electronically treated dulcimer and cimbalom. Scottish-born Patrick Doyle, only the fourth composer to write a score for a Pixar film, used a variety of native Scottish instruments such as bagpipes, solo fiddle, Celtic harps, flutes and the bodhran. We wanted to capture this ancient feel of Scotland and the music really adds another layer of authenticity." "The music really sets the tone for the film and underscores the time period. Highland Cathedral is often played as an instrumental piece, however, when sung, there are multiple variations of lyrics."The music of 'Brave' supports the story, bolstering this epic journey with Merida," said Andrews. After a close vote with Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Welsh National Anthem), it was chosen with popular support. The anthem was chosen by Sorrenia as part of the Celtic cultural celebration period. Highland Cathedral is Patten's favourite pipe tune, as said by himself on a BBC Asia Today programme. It was played at a ceremonial lowering of the Governor's flag at Chris Patten's official residence, Government House in Central, on the last day of British rule. The tune was the Royal Hong Kong Police Anthem under British rule which ended in 1997. The song has been performed at numerous Scottish cultural events, including Scotland's Rugby Union games. The tune has been performed by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and featured in the album, Spirit of the Glen, which won a Classical Brit award in 2009. It has subsequently undergone various orchestrations and had lyrics added in English and Scottish Gaelic. It has been proposed as the Scottish national anthem to replace unofficial anthems Scotland the Brave and/or Flower of Scotland. This melody was composed by German musicians Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb in 1982 for a Highland Games held in Germany. Highland Cathedral is a popular melody for the Great Highland Bagpipe.