Daniel Hart is a composer and performer based in Los Angeles. Hart made his feature film debut in 2013 with the critically acclaimed Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, which began his collaboration with filmmaker Dallas native David Lowery (we spoke to Lowery at the time of the release) and Hart has composed the music for all of Lowery’s films, including Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story, Old Man and The Gun, and 2021’s The Green Knight. He has also written music for This American Life, and composed the score for S Town, one of the most popular podcasts of all time.
To score The Green Knight, Hart went on his own epic personal journey as the religious overtones of the film and the choral music have always been a part of him since his youth. Both of his parents were choral directors, and he grew up singing in a choir at their home Episcopalian church. For anyone who has watched acclaimed director David Lowery’s dramatic interpretation of the Arthurian legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Hart’s striking period score immediately stands out alongside stunning visuals and immaculate storytelling. Utilizing ancient instruments such as the nickelharpa and a quartet of recorders, he harkens audience back to olden times of yore, perfectly capturing the stylized artistry and melancholic optimism of the film.
You can even hear him lend his vocal talents on the track “Blome Swete Lilie Flour”. To write authentic original songs that seemed plucked right from Arthurian legend, Hart utilized a language invented by Benedictine nun Hildegaard von Bingen in the 1100’s – part Latin, part German, and part… something mystical and strange, but familiar.
We had a lot of fun talking to Daniel about his continually brilliant collaboration with David Lowery. Their style has stood out in a number of genres, each as successful as they are varied. He seems pretty content being in L.A. among other big name composers, and while Daniel may not be a native Texan he spent enough time here (including graduating from SMU) to earn an honorary title. So, come ye all, sally forth, and let us get to know Daniel Hart!
One of the high points in the interview was the back story of a particular track titled O Nyghtegale which was the starting point for the whole score. Here’s the words for those of you interested:
O Nyghtegale O Nyghtegale
Sing thy song Lullai, lullai, lullai
Now the child icommon
In sorow and in blode
He weepest to the hevenes
The fend is in the flode
Nyght and day thy melodie
Of herte so fayr and wild
Thee ley in joie and wikidnes
Thy brest ever the child
You can check out more of Daniel’s work (including his band Dark Rooms and their awesome first album) on his website and Twitter. He and David Lowery are currently working on the upcoming film Peter Pan & Wendy which is set for release next year.
