A NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

written by Marc Shaiman

When they first asked me to score The Addams Family, I was sure of one thing: Danny Elfman must be too busy. But I was happy to dine on his sloppy seconds, what a fantastic film to get to score, what a delicious style to get to join in on with director Barry Sonnenfeld and all our collaborators. And that cast! Heaven! Or should I say Hell?

Well, the best part of scoring a film is the time spent with the orchestra. Even though, in my naive youth (The Addams Family was only my second film as a composer), I didn't really know how to write music for string players that allowed them to play it without contorting themselves (I’m afraid I still don't!). And so, I fear tonight you might see more than a few violinists stand up during the movie and curse my name, while throwing the music to the ground as they storm off, arms hanging limply at their sides.

String section forgive me! Everyone else, enjoy! Mamushka!