American Traditional Music in Max Steiner’s Score for “Gone with the Wind”
Heather Grace Fisher · OhioLink ETD Center (Ohio Library and Information Network) · 2010
Film composer Max Steiner's score for Gone with the Wind (1939) showcases a substantial amount of American traditional music from the nineteenth century.The overwhelming amount of music included in the film has left it neglected in film music studies.My analysis of the traditional music in the soundtrack will demonstrate multiple considerations of how the music works within the film.The first chapter delves into the source of the film, the novel Gone with the Wind (1936) by Margaret Mitchell.This discussion includes an analysis of the major musical moments in the novel.The second chapter examines the film production itself, especially the difficulties that Max Steiner and his fellow composers and arrangers working on the film experienced while writing the score.The final chapter investigates the historical and political context of the American traditional songs Steiner included in the soundtrack and how they function within the film.iii This work is dedicated with love and gratitude to my parents, Mike and Kathy Fisher, and my sister, Megan.Your unfailing support and encouragement mean more to me than you will ever know.Thanks first must go to God, the Almighty Father for all the grace He has bestowed upon me.I would also like to thank my wonderful parents and