Mark Kermode's Surround Sound
The Stories of Movie Music
Will be published approx. on 27. August 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-4472-3059-5 (ISBN)
Description
'Reveals the stories and the people behind your favourite film scores' - Nick de Semlyen, editor of Empire
'Brims with enthusiasm and joyful insight' - Richard Ayoade
How can a film score make you cheer, shiver, cry or punch the air? How do directors communicate their musical vision to composers? And when does a soundtrack take on a life of its own?
Award-winning film critic Mark Kermode and radio producer Jenny Nelson embark on a full-throttle trip down the glorious rabbit hole of film composition to answer these questions and more.
Celebrating the emotional connection that audiences form with film music, exploring the evolution of film scoring from silent films to the present day, and examining how what we hear has an impact on what we see, Mark talks to some of his favourite composers and delves into the movie music he loves.
Including interviews with extraordinary talents from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood to Oscar-winning composers Rachel Portman and Howard Shore, and the stories behind iconic soundtracks such as Jocelyn Pook's Eyes Wide Shut, Michael Kamen's Brazil, and Vangelis's Blade Runner, Mark Kermode's Surround Sound is a thrilling take on how great scores are brought to life on the silver screen.
'Brims with enthusiasm and joyful insight' - Richard Ayoade
How can a film score make you cheer, shiver, cry or punch the air? How do directors communicate their musical vision to composers? And when does a soundtrack take on a life of its own?
Award-winning film critic Mark Kermode and radio producer Jenny Nelson embark on a full-throttle trip down the glorious rabbit hole of film composition to answer these questions and more.
Celebrating the emotional connection that audiences form with film music, exploring the evolution of film scoring from silent films to the present day, and examining how what we hear has an impact on what we see, Mark talks to some of his favourite composers and delves into the movie music he loves.
Including interviews with extraordinary talents from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood to Oscar-winning composers Rachel Portman and Howard Shore, and the stories behind iconic soundtracks such as Jocelyn Pook's Eyes Wide Shut, Michael Kamen's Brazil, and Vangelis's Blade Runner, Mark Kermode's Surround Sound is a thrilling take on how great scores are brought to life on the silver screen.
Reviews / Votes
Movie music may be an essential component of cinema but it often gets overlooked. [Mark Kermode's Surround Sound] gives it the focus it deserves, revealing the stories and the people behind your favourite film scores. -- Nick de Semlyen, editor of <i>Empire</i> and author of <i>The Last Action Heroes</i> Part memoir, part detailed examination of the essence of film music, Mark Kermode's Surround Sound goes way beyond the usual suspects to explore the music of many half-forgotten and less mainstream composers. I learned a lot. -- Anne Dudley, Oscar winning composer for <i>The Full Monty</i> Passionate without being didactic . . . reminds us that cinema is an art form for the ear as well as the eye. -- Richard Ayoade A fascinating read for every film music enthusiast. -- Rachel Portman, Oscar winning composer for <i>Emma</i> Warm, passionate, and remarkably insightful . . . Capturing both the emotion and craftsmanship of film music with rare clarity and enthusiasm, it is essential reading for anyone who truly wants to understand how music can shape, elevate and ultimately bring a film to life. -- Lorne Balfe, Winner of the 2018 Film Score of the YearMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 130 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-4472-3059-5 (9781447230595)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2025
Picador
€25.49
Available for download
Person
Jenny Nelson is an award-winning audio producer and writer. She produced Mark Kermode's film music show at Scala Radio from 2019 to 2024, and in her previous role as Executive Producer at Classic FM she wrote a book about creative collaborations between film directors and composers. Jenny has hosted panels about screen music at London's Southbank Centre and Abbey Road, and is a former trustee at the Cambridge Film Festival. Mark Kermode's Surround Sound is her second book.
Mark Kermode is a film critic, writer, broadcaster, and musician. He is the co-presenter of the Sony podcast 'Kermode and Mayo's Take', and the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Screenshot'. He is the author of several books on film and music including Hatchet Job and How Does it Feel?. He is co-founder and double-bassist of the skiffle & blues band The Dodge Brothers, who (with pianist Neil Brand) provide live accompaniment to silent movies. Mark Kermode's Surround Sound is his seventh book.
Mark Kermode is a film critic, writer, broadcaster, and musician. He is the co-presenter of the Sony podcast 'Kermode and Mayo's Take', and the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Screenshot'. He is the author of several books on film and music including Hatchet Job and How Does it Feel?. He is co-founder and double-bassist of the skiffle & blues band The Dodge Brothers, who (with pianist Neil Brand) provide live accompaniment to silent movies. Mark Kermode's Surround Sound is his seventh book.