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Departing Ways

Sharon Isbin adds a classical touch to Martin Scorsese’s new film

December 12, 2006

Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin’s career has taken her from competition winner to concerto soloist to Grammy Award-winner and nearly everything in between. In a recent partnership, Isbin teamed up with composer Howard Shore on the soundtrack for Martin Scorsese’s latest box-office hit, The Departed, a recording that also includes performances by G.E. Smith, Larry Saltzman, and Marc Ribot. I spoke with Isbin about her experience in the film industry.

Urban Guitar: This movie's soundtrack has quite a variety of styles, from traditional Irish to rock to classical. What do you see as the role of the classical guitar in this movie?

Sharon Isbin: There are actually two soundtrack CDs: one is a song compilation with music by the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Allman Brothers, Beach Boys, etc., that closes with my rendition of Howard Shore’s Boston Common. The second CD - released December 5 - is the original Howard Shore score soundtrack and is all-guitar I play nearly half the music in that second CD, while G.E. Smith (formerly of the Saturday Night Live band and Hall & Oates), Larry Saltzman, and Marc Ribot give stellar performances of the rest.

Howard Shore has a wonderful feeling for the guitar, combining nylon, steel, acoustic and electric timbres in a rich sonic tapestry. The classical sound provides a yearning, sensuous quality that captures the inner world of the characters.

Urban Guitar: Can you describe what is happening during the scenes that you play?

Sharon Isbin: The major work I play in the film is “Billy’s Theme,” a seven minute piece for solo guitar with orchestral accompaniment. It takes place during Leonardo DiCaprio’s therapy session in which his character Billy has flashbacks of being in his mother’s house just after her death, looking at old photos, and witnessing a murder. Nostalgia and brutality are in stark contrast to the beautiful and evocative music that communicates the character’s inner yearning and torment.

Urban Guitar: How does the music enhance the visuals?

Sharon Isbin: The story is about the Irish Mafia in Boston, and the spellbinding action centers around two undercover moles - played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon – who infiltrate the police force and the mafia (headed by Jack Nicholson.) Howard Shore chose the idea of the tango to communicate this elaborately sleuthing dance of death. His score is as evocative as the brilliantly acted and directed Martin Scorsese film, with beautiful, sensuous, haunting melodies.

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