The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (score)

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Score)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Score)
Film score by James Newton Howard
Released	November 25, 2013
Studio	AIR Studios, London
Genre	Film score
Length	1:14:58
Label	Republic
Producer	James Newton Howard
The Hunger Games soundtrack chronology
James Newton Howard film score chronology

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Score) is the score album to the 2013 film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. James Newton Howard who scored the predecessor, returned to score Catching Fire in October 2012.^[1] The score was released by Republic Records on November 25, 2013, which includes twenty-nine tracks from Howard's score. A cue from the album, "We're a Team" was co-written by members of the British rock band Coldplay—Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin.^[2]^[3] The band also performed the song "Atlas" which released as the lead single from the soundtrack on September.^[4]^[5]

Reception

James Christopher Monger of AllMusic praised the score as an "ethereal mix of stoic melodies and bold action cues" that conveyed the film's darker theme, but maintained a "soulful undercurrent" to reflect the protagonist's emotional journey.^[6] Filmtracks.com wrote: "Howard improves upon his work in the franchise with this sequel, finally having the time to adequately develop his many themes into better representations of concepts in the film. The issue with this music continues to be muddy attributions of those themes and the composer's seeming inability to really shine with any of them. None of Howard's themes enunciates itself with enough consistency and clarity to truly serve as the franchise's musical identity [...] Some of Howard's own themes, especially the love theme, could still evolve into that dominant identity, but he may never get the opportunity if the productions insist upon having outside influences define the songs or source cues."^[7]

Music critic Jonathan Broxton opined that the album is not competent with the predecessor's music, where the action music is "generally excellent" and rises to "exceptional emotional highs" in some occasion, but felt that the score is less than what demanded.^[8] James Southall of Movie Wave criticised it as a "huge step down from the first score" with the majority of the album is a "tiresome drone" and hardly left anything from the predecessor's score. He disappointed on Howard failing to "grasp on a fine, distinctive score and extend it into something to give the series' a musical backdrop" and instead sounded it like a "Brand X score from that year".^[9] Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles criticised the score as "long, boring, unrenewable" and lacked the highlights of the predecessor.^[10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by James Newton Howard, except where noted

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Katniss"		1:42
2.	"I Had to Do That"		2:22
3.	"We Have Visitors"		3:01
4.	"Just Friends"		1:29
5.	"Mockingjay Graffiti"		1:44
6.	"The Tour"		5:56
7.	"Daffodil Waltz"		0:26
8.	"Waltz in A (Op. 39, No. 15)"		0:43
9.	"Fireworks"		3:05
10.	"Horn of Plenty"		0:36
11.	"Peacekeepers"		5:55
12.	"Prim"		2:08
13.	"A Quarter Quell"		2:05
14.	"Katniss is Chosen"		3:18
15.	"Introducing the Tributes"		1:29
16.	"There's Always a Flaw"		1:48
17.	"Bow and Arrow"		1:07
18.	"We're a Team"	Guy Berryman Jonny Buckland Will Champion Chris Martin	1:52
19.	"Let's Start"		2:02
20.	"The Games Begin"		4:43
21.	"Peeta's Heart Stops"		2:10
22.	"Treetops"		1:22
23.	"The Fog"		4:58
24.	"Monkey Mutts"		4:44
25.	"Jabberjays"		1:33
26.	"I Need You"		3:57
27.	"Broken Wire"		3:53
28.	"Arena Crumbles"		1:43
29.	"Good Morning Sweetheart"		3:07
Total length:			1:14:58

Credits

Credits adapted from CD liner notes.^[11]

Music composed and produced by – James Newton Howard
Co-producer – Jim Weidman, Sunna Wehrmeijer, Sven Faulconer
Synth programming – Christopher Wray, Dave Porter, Sunna Wehrmeijer, Sven Faulconer
Additional arrangements – Sunna Wehrmeijer, Sven Faulconer
Engineer – Matt Ward
Recording – Erik Swanson, Shawn Murphy
Mixing – Shawn Murphy
Mastering – Dave Collins
Music editor – David Olson
Supervising music editor – Jim Weidman
Score editor – David Channing
Technician – Chris Cozens, Richard Grant
Score coordinator – Pamela Sollie
Music preparation – Dakota Music Service
Packaging and design – Olivia Smith
Liner notes – Francis Lawrence

Instruments

Bass – Allen Walley, Leon Bosch, Mary Scully, Paddy Lannigan, Richard Pryce, Roger Linley, Steve Mair, Steve McManus
Cello – Anthony Lewis, Caroline Dearnley, Chris Worsey, Dave Daniels, Frank Schaefer, Ian Burdge, Joely Koos, John Heley, Jonathan Williams, Josephine Knight, Martin Loveday, Melissa Phelps, Nick Cooper, Paul Kegg, Josephine Knight (soloist)
Clarinet – Nicholas Bucknall
Dulcimer – Jon Banks
Ethnic flute – Jan Hendrickse
Fiddle – Sonia Slany (soloist)
Flute – Eliza Marshall, Karen Jones, Nina Robertson
Guitar – John Parricelli
Harp – Skaila Kanga
Horn – Carsten Williams, David Pyatt, John Thurgood, Martin Owen, Nigel Black, Phil Woods, Richard Berry, Richard Watkins, Simon Rayner
Oboe, cor Anglais – Chris Cowie, Daniel Bates
Percussion – Chris Baron, Frank Ricotti, Gary Kettel, Paul Clarvis, Sam Walton, Stephen Henderson, Bill Lockhart
Piano, celesta – Simon Chamberlain
Trombone – Andy Wood, Dave Stewart, Edward Tarrant, Mark Nightingale, Mike Hext, Richard Edwards, Roger Argente
Trumpet – Andy Crowley, Kate Moore, Paul Mayes, Simon Munday
Tuba – Oren Marshall, Owen Slade
Viola – Andy Parker, Bill Hawkes, Bob Smissen, Bruce White, Claire Finnimore, Don McVay, Edward Vander Spar, Fiona Bonds, Garfield Jackson, Helen Kamminga, Julia Knight, Kate Musker, Martin Humbey, Peter Lale, Phil D'arcy, Rachel Bolt, Reiad Chibah, Richard Cookson, Rusen Gunes, Steve Wright, Sue Dench, Vicci Wardman
Violin – Boguslaw Kostecki, Cathy Thompson, Chris Tombling, Clare Thompson, Debbie Preece, Debbie Widdup, Liz Edwards, Emlyn Singleton, Everton Nelson, Gaby Lester, Ian Humphries, Jonathan Rees, Jonathan Strange, Julian Leaper, Julian Tear, Kathy Gowers, Lorraine McAslan, Mark Berrow, Natalia Bonner, Patrick Kiernan, Perry Montague Mason, Philippa Ibbotson, Philippe Honoré, Ralph De Souza, Rita Manning, Robin Brightman, Roger Garland, Sonia Slany, Sophie Langdon, Steve Morris, Thomas Bowes, Tom Pigott-Smith, Warren Zelinski

Vocals

Alto – Alex Gibson, Amanda Dean, Claire Henry, Clara Sanabras, Deryn Edwards, Helen Brookes, Jo Marshall, Judith Rees, Nicola Beckley, Polly May
Bass – Cheyney Kent, James Holliday, John Evanson, Lawrence Wallington, Michael Dore, Neil Bellingham, Nigel Short, Russell Matthews, Simon Preece, Stefan Berkieta
Soprano – Ali Hill, Carys L. Robert, Cheryl Enever, Eleanor Meynell, Eli Rolfe Johnson, Elizabeth Drury, Grace Davidson, Jacqueline Barron, Natalie C. Griffiths, Rachel Major, Wendy Nieper
Tenor – Benedict Hymas, Benedict Quirke, Dan L. Thomas, Gareth Morris, Jon Bungard, Julian A. Smith, Peter Wilman, Richard E. Wilson, Richard Eteson, Simon Haynes, Tom Herford
Additional vocals – Sunna Wehrmeijer

Orchestra and choir

Orchestration – Jeff Atmajian, John Ashton Thomas, Jon Kull, Pete Anthony, Peter Bateman
Orchestra leader – Thomas Bowes
Orchestra and choir conductor – Pete Anthony
Orchestra contractor – Isobel Griffiths
Assistant orchestra contractor – Jo Buckley
Choir – London Voices
Choirmaster – Ben Parry, Terry Edwards

Management

Executive in charge of film music (Lionsgate) – Tracy McKnight, Rona Rapadas
Music business affairs (Lionsgate) – Lenny Wohl
Contact Administration – Karen Sidlow
Senior director of film music (Lionsgate)– Trevon Kezios
Music budget supervisor (Lionsgate) – Chris Brown
Film music coordinator (Lionsgate) – Nikki Triplett, Ryan Svendsen

References

^ "James Newton Howard to Return for 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'". Film Music Reporter. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
^ "Coldplay written "Atlas" and "We're a Team" for The Hunger Games". Coldplaying.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
^ Grow, Kory (October 15, 2013). "Coldplay's 'Hunger Games' Song Honored". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ Billboard Staff (August 9, 2013). "Coldplay Spinning 'Atlas' on 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Soundtrack". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ McNary, Dave (August 9, 2013). "Coldplay Song On 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Soundtrack". Variety. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ Christopher Monger, James. "Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire [Original Motion Picture Score]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ "Filmtracks: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (James Newton Howard)". www.filmtracks.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ "THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE – James Newton Howard". MOVIE MUSIC UK. December 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ Southall, James (December 15, 2013). "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack review". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ Glorieux, Thomas. "James Newton Howard: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire". Maintitles.net. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
^ "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Score), by James Newton Howard". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[1] "James Newton Howard to Return for 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'". Film Music Reporter. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2012.

[2] "Coldplay written "Atlas" and "We're a Team" for The Hunger Games". Coldplaying.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2022.

[3] Grow, Kory (October 15, 2013). "Coldplay's 'Hunger Games' Song Honored". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[4] Billboard Staff (August 9, 2013). "Coldplay Spinning 'Atlas' on 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Soundtrack". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[5] McNary, Dave (August 9, 2013). "Coldplay Song On 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Soundtrack". Variety. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[6] Christopher Monger, James. "Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire [Original Motion Picture Score]". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[7] "Filmtracks: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (James Newton Howard)". www.filmtracks.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[8] "THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE – James Newton Howard". MOVIE MUSIC UK. December 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[9] Southall, James (December 15, 2013). "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack review". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[10] Glorieux, Thomas. "James Newton Howard: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire". Maintitles.net. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

[11] "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Original Motion Picture Score), by James Newton Howard". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2023.

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v t e Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games
Novel series	The Hunger Games (2008) Catching Fire (2009) Mockingjay (2010) The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020) Sunrise on the Reaping (2025)
Film series	The Hunger Games (2012) Catching Fire (2013) Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) Part 2 (2015) The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) Accolades
Characters	Katniss Everdeen Peeta Mellark Coriolanus Snow
Music	The Hunger Games soundtrack "Safe & Sound" "Eyes Open" score Catching Fire soundtrack "Atlas" "Elastic Heart" "We Remain" "Who We Are" score Mockingjay – Part 1 soundtrack "Meltdown" "All My Love" "Yellow Flicker Beat" "The Hanging Tree" score Mockingjay – Part 2 score The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes soundtrack "Can't Catch Me Now" score
Parodies	The Hunger Pains The Starving Games The Hungover Games "The Hunger Games Musical" "Treehouse of Horror XXVII"
Category