Nosferatu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Oxblood Red Vinyl 2 LP)

Robin Carolan’s latest soundtrack for Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated Nosferatu is a haunting, gothic-infused and meticulously crafted work that draws from a vast palette of sounds, instruments, and inspirations. Following their successful collaboration on The Northman, Carolan reunites with Eggers to bring the legendary tale of Nosferatu to life, infusing the film with a score that is as complex and nuanced as the story itself. 

With Daniel Pioro, one of Britain's most exciting young classical musicians, at the helm as the orchestra leader and first chair for a vast majority of the recording, the soundtrack features a vast orchestration, including 60 string players, a full choir, various horns and woodwinds, a harpist, and two percussionists. Despite the grandeur of the orchestration, one of the most challenging pieces was the music box used at the film's beginning. Carolan and Eggers struggled to perfect its sound, a process marked by their meticulous attention to detail, which Carolan describes as almost telepathic. 

Set in the 1800s, Nosferatu allowed Carolan to incorporate contemporary instrumentation, though he made a deliberate effort to ensure the score didn't sound overly modern. Letty Stott, who also worked on The Northman, contributed ancient horns and pipes, enhancing the soundtrack’s eerie atmosphere. Additionally, percussionist Paul Clarvis custom-built a toaca-like instrument for added authenticity.  

Carolan’s inspirations for the soundtrack were as eclectic as they were profound. He frequently drew upon the works of Bartok and Coil, while films like The Innocents, Angels and Insects, and Eyes Wide Shut provided cinematic inspiration. Additionally, he explored the more obscure side of Hammer Horror soundtracks and found a deep connection to the music of the Ukrainian film The Eve of Ivan Kupalo, which helped shape the score’s otherworldly tone.  

Carolan intentionally moved beyond the typical horror score, focusing on capturing the tale's melancholy and tragic elements while weaving in a sense of warped romanticism. The result is a soundtrack that not only complements the film but also stands on its own as a testament to Carolan’s artistry and the enduring power of collaboration. 

Tracklist

01. Once Upon a Time
02. Come to Me
03. Premonition
04. Herr Knock
05. Ellen’s Dream
06. Incantation
07. Goodbye
08. The Inn / Moroi
09. Shrine
10. A Carriage Awaits
11. Come by the Fire
12. Destiny
13. The Castle
14. Covenant
15. The Crypt
16. Lost
17. Hysterical Spell
18. Devourance
19. The Monastery
20. Solomonar
21. Increase thy Thunders
22. The Professor
23. Dreams Grow Darker
24. Possession
25. An Arrival
26. A Return
27. Grünewald
28. Despair in my Coming
29. A Curious Mark
30. Orlok’s Shadow
31. The Vampyr
32. The First Night
33. Death, All Around Us
34. I Know Him
35. The Second Night
36. These Nightmares Exist
37. A Priestess of Isis
38. Last Goodbye
39. Never Sleep Again
40. The Third Night
41. The Prince of Rats
42. Daybreak
43. Liliacs