Esther Yoo is featured on the soundtrack to On Chesil Beach, a highly anticipated film adaption of Ian McEwan’s celebrated novel. The soundtrack, released by Decca Classics and available now, spotlights original compositions by Dan Jones. Audiences in the United States and United Kingdom can see the film in theaters the same day.
The original score is performed by Esther and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Alongside Jones’s score are classical pieces by Rachmaninoff, Schubert, Elgar, and Mozart. Listen to NPR’s exploration of the film’s music.
“Dan has written a wonderful score,” says Esther, “and it was very important for me to really understand the story – first through the book and then by watching the movie, to place exactly where the music appears and why it appears. The music is discreet, it’s subtle, it’s very sentimental and magical and I’m delighted to be venturing into film music for the first time.”
Dan Jones comments that “it’s been a great journey working with one of my favorite directors Dominic Cooke and long time collaborators BBC NoW, to produce a score which is woven into Ian McEwan’s wonderful script, and an absolute delight to work with Esther who has brought so much insight and depth to the music. I’ve found it really rewarding working with a soloist who has taken as strong an interest in the drama as the music, and who has brought her extraordinary musicality to bear on both.”
The film stars three-time Academy Award nominee, four-time BAFTA nominee and recent winner of a Golden Globe, Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, Brooklyn, Atonement) and Billy Howle (Dunkirk, The Sense of an Ending, The Seagull). It is directed by Dominic Cooke, four-time Olivier Award winning and BAFTA nominated theatre, TV and film director and writer.
On Chesil Beach explores the relationship between Florence (Ronan), a violinist in a string quartet for whom – behind the scenes – Esther lends her music, and Edward (Howle), a graduate student of history. Underlying tensions surface between the young couple, on their honeymoon on the dramatic coastline of Chesil Beach in Dorset, and unexpected shadows are cast over their wedding night.
Discover the film and listen to its soundtrack