Composer Joseph Trapanese brings new life into the music of nature documentaries

Composer Joseph Trapanese is best known for his wide array of compositional styles. In addition to his individual compositions, he has worked on projects that include Daft Punk's Tron: Legacy, the video game Oblivion, Disney’s latest version of Lady and the Tramp, Straight Outta Compton and Netflix’s The Witcher. But he recently took on a project unlike anything he’s done before: composing the music for a new nature documentary, America the Beautiful, on Disney+.

“I am eclectic, and I was not asked to write a score like other nature documentaries,” Trapanese said. “It can’t be formal or classical. They were looking for me to do what I’m known for, which is to combine classical palate, sound design and exciting new sounds.”

Nature documentaries often are filled with large romantic orchestral phrases that try and capture the essence of the picturesque images on the screen. It can be difficult to reinvent such a common practice while portraying the expansive emotions evoked by nature.

When asked about his process, Trapanese said: “It would be silly to not limit oneself. One of the most powerful things we can do is limit ourselves in terms of creativity. I never want to enter a project with one thing in mind. I build my limits after I know what kind of story I am trying to tell.

“Part of the limitations is working with any tool within that. I use those tools in an unlimited way. I used the music to connect the people with the animals. Our struggles are the same. We share one ecosystem and one planet. So much of what we do is affecting our wildlife. I wanted the music in the documentary to inject humanity into the landscape.” 

Michael B. Jordan narrates the series. The actor is best known for his roles in Creed, Space Jam: A New Legacy and Black Panther. His popularity with younger audiences really gave Trapanese the confidence to drive the music to a younger crowd with fresh, daring sounds.

Many of these sounds came through collaboration.

“I am exploring something that will make me a better human,” he said. “I had explored American music of a time for the new Lady and the Tramp. I met with local musicians in the musical styles I was trying to capture for the film. 

“That was something that the producers and I spoke about. How are we going to tap into the traditions and sounds of America while being respectful? I contacted the musical group Tonality, violinist Lucia Micarelli and musician S. Carey to help me find authentic voices.”

There are many moments in the new nature series where viewers hear authentic voices that represent the great cultures of America. Trapanese hopes the soundtrack can convey how much love and respect he has for them. 

“It was unclear if there was going to be a theme song,” he said. “It was up in the air, but I wanted to create one. S. Care helped me find indigenous musicians for the song ‘Quilt of Life.’ This one song is the whole essence of the show.”