Why I Like the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon
Gallifrey is magnificent. That's rather the point of it. Grandiose and majestic to the point of pomposity. This is undermined a bit by the fact that the planet itself is portrayed by the BBC Quarry, but you only need worry about that once you get outside the Capitol. The Citadel of the Time Lords itself is towering and imposing, radiating the weight of centuries. It's also green, but that's neither here nor there. But Gallifrey makes a point of being really frickin impressive, and the Time Lords make a point of letting you know about it (otherwise what's the point?) It accompanies the awesome power of the Time Lords from their very first introduction in "the War Games." You know things are serious when you hear the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon.
There is a musical sting that accompanies establishing shots of Gallifrey. And it's not happy or triumphant - what it is is big and portentious, some huge organ with all the trumpet stops pulled, minor with just a hint of discord. Stately with a hint of discord is, of course, the very definition of Gallifrey. And it sets the tone extraordinarily well. This isn't our happy-go-lucky adventure through space and time - this is Gallifrey. It helps get at the mystique and decorum of the Time Lords. Organs are culturally coded as both stately and extremely old, possibly even entrenched. Alzarius sounds like slightly sci-fi tinkles of bells and synthesizer stings; Gallifrey sounds like the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon. Consider:
First Doctor: [looks out hole in the wall]
Tower of Rassilon: [looms]
First Doctor: That proves it. We're on Gallifrey. In the Death Zone.
*OMINOUS ORGAN MUSIC OF RASSILON*
The best thing about the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon is that it seems to exist in-universe as well. It's the same sound that is played at the presidential investiture. Admittedly, the citadel sound has a brighter, rising sound to it, by contrast to the Death Zone's darker, falling sound, but it's all the same Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon. And it's turned on and off via buttons in the Chancellor's office. Borusa actually uses the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon (modulated down several octaves and up several decibels) to briefly deafen the invading Sontarans and allow our Heroes to make their escape. While happily spying on everyone from the safety of his own office, where's he's been locked up for treason for the last couple of episodes. This is significant for several reasons. First off, it shows us that Borusa is a badass. Secondly it's one of the few legitimate sonic attacks in the series, which is always nice. And thirdly - when else has the very background music itself been weaponized? It's not fighting off Daleks with the Power of Rock, but it is both more dignified and far more effective, as befits a Cardinal of Gallifrey.
I very much enjoy background music, and the background music of the earlier part of the series in particular. And I just really love the sound of the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon. It's incidental music at its very finest, resonating deep in your chest and making you go "yeah! We're on Gallifrey now, losers!" And I don't even like Gallifrey. I miss it in the newer stuff. Powers that Be, listen up. If we do get back to Gallifrey again, get Murray Gold to compose you up some more Ominous Organ Music. That stuff is GREAT, trust me.
There is a musical sting that accompanies establishing shots of Gallifrey. And it's not happy or triumphant - what it is is big and portentious, some huge organ with all the trumpet stops pulled, minor with just a hint of discord. Stately with a hint of discord is, of course, the very definition of Gallifrey. And it sets the tone extraordinarily well. This isn't our happy-go-lucky adventure through space and time - this is Gallifrey. It helps get at the mystique and decorum of the Time Lords. Organs are culturally coded as both stately and extremely old, possibly even entrenched. Alzarius sounds like slightly sci-fi tinkles of bells and synthesizer stings; Gallifrey sounds like the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon. Consider:
First Doctor: [looks out hole in the wall]
Tower of Rassilon: [looms]
First Doctor: That proves it. We're on Gallifrey. In the Death Zone.
*OMINOUS ORGAN MUSIC OF RASSILON*
The best thing about the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon is that it seems to exist in-universe as well. It's the same sound that is played at the presidential investiture. Admittedly, the citadel sound has a brighter, rising sound to it, by contrast to the Death Zone's darker, falling sound, but it's all the same Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon. And it's turned on and off via buttons in the Chancellor's office. Borusa actually uses the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon (modulated down several octaves and up several decibels) to briefly deafen the invading Sontarans and allow our Heroes to make their escape. While happily spying on everyone from the safety of his own office, where's he's been locked up for treason for the last couple of episodes. This is significant for several reasons. First off, it shows us that Borusa is a badass. Secondly it's one of the few legitimate sonic attacks in the series, which is always nice. And thirdly - when else has the very background music itself been weaponized? It's not fighting off Daleks with the Power of Rock, but it is both more dignified and far more effective, as befits a Cardinal of Gallifrey.
I very much enjoy background music, and the background music of the earlier part of the series in particular. And I just really love the sound of the Ominous Organ Music of Rassilon. It's incidental music at its very finest, resonating deep in your chest and making you go "yeah! We're on Gallifrey now, losers!" And I don't even like Gallifrey. I miss it in the newer stuff. Powers that Be, listen up. If we do get back to Gallifrey again, get Murray Gold to compose you up some more Ominous Organ Music. That stuff is GREAT, trust me.