Composer Michael Giacchino raises the dead with his original score for ‘Coco’

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HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 08: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) Composer Michael Giacchino at the U.S. Premiere of Disney-Pixars "Coco" at the El Capitan Theatre on November 8, 2017, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney) — Composer Michael Giacchino at the U.S. Premiere of Disney-Pixars "Coco" at the El Capitan Theatre on November 8, 2017, in Hollywood, California.

Though Pixar’s “Coco” takes viewers on a grand adventure through the afterlife, there’s plenty of heartbeat in the film, much of which comes from composer Michael Giacchino’s sincere, ranchera-driven score.

Though Pixar’s “Coco” takes viewers on a grand adventure through the afterlife, there’s plenty of heartbeat in the film, much of which comes from composer Michael Giacchino’s sincere, ranchera-driven score.

Songs like “Día de los Muertos Suite” and “A Blessing and a Fessing” parallel the expansiveness of the film’s storyline, and combine elements of acoustic guitars and traditional horns to create a Mexican folk atmosphere without being kitschy.

Larry speaks with Giacchino on how he got involved in the project and his process for creating the score, while also discussing the composer’s collaboration with director Adrian Molina and other musicians when creating the film’s distinct sound.

Guest:

Michael Giacchino, Oscar-, Emmy- and Grammy-winning composer for many films and television series, including the new Pixar film, “Coco”