August Rush is a movie about an orphaned boy who believes his parents are alive and are communicating with him through the music he hears at all times. The 2007 film features many different songs and pieces, some of which are covers and others that are original works. For example, Van Morrison’s song “Moondance” is played, as is an original song, “Bari Improv,” written by the film’s composer Mark Mancina. Mancina wrote the final theme, “August’s Rhapsody,” first, so that he could take bits and pieces from that and relate it to things that come beforehand. Each score throughout the movie is like a puzzle piece that fits into the final theme. My favorite piece of the puzzle is an instrumental track entitled “Dueling Guitars.”
“Dueling Guitars” was written by musician/composter Heitor Pereira and performed by him and Doug Smith for August Rush. The song lasts for about two and a half minutes and consists only of two acoustic guitars creating an upbeat sound. The song starts off slowly, with one guitar playing a few chords that the second then imitates. After approximately a minute of switching back and forth, the two play together. The track speeds up, reaching a climactic point after the two minute mark, and slowing back down to come to an end. The distinction between the two guitars is less definitive when they are playing together than it is in the beginning and the end, but it is obvious that two instruments are being played, not just one.
Mancina and Pereira obviously wanted the focus of “Dueling Guitars” to be only on the guitars, so they therefore did not incorporate any other instruments. However, the two instruments in the score are able to keep the rhythm and beat without the need of a bass or drums. The collaboration between the guitars keeps the track flowing all the way to the end. There is no need for the incorporation of any other instrument when the existing components are able to hold the listener’s attention and attraction without fail. It’s like a solo within a typical piece of music, except it makes up the entire composition.
August Rush became one of my favorite movies as soon as I finished watching it for the first time. The base of music that the story line revolves around captured my interest right of the bat. While watching the movie or listening to the soundtrack, “Dueling Guitars” is always the piece that stands out to me the most. I like the simplicity of the two guitars, yet the intricate way the music they create sounds. This movie and “Dueling Guitars” in particular inspire me to want to learn how to play the guitar, or at least to find other tracks similar to this one. It enforces a love of music and creativity within me, and I can listen to it on repeat for hours without becoming bored with it.
