“Why Kevin Costner’s Cowboy Soundtrack Hails from Scotland’s ‘Wild West’”
At the end of Kevin Costner’s latest film, Horizon: An American Saga, there’s a lengthy list of credits—a reflection of its three-hour and one-minute runtime and its place in a four-part cinematic vision that Costner has been developing for nearly 40 years.
Notably, among those credits is the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), which played a crucial role in crafting the film’s soundtrack. Last year, Costner reached out to the RSNO to record the music for the film. Composer John Debney, known for his work on Elf and The Passion of the Christ, had previously collaborated with the RSNO.
“We had no scope for recording in LA, so I offered a few options,” Debney explained. “We considered London and Nashville, but when I mentioned Scotland, Kevin’s eyes lit up.” Both Debney and Costner traveled to the RSNO Centre in August, where they spent five days recording the soundtrack.
“I think it’s one of the greatest moments of the filmmaking process, to be in the scoring session,” Costner told BBC Scotland News. “I work harder on getting the cameras and the screens into the room and let John (Debney) do the heavy lifting, but I wanted the musicians to see the film, meet the filmmaker, and be a part of it. I think they really responded to that. You can be a minimalist and step back, or you can take a bold approach that matches the landscape. John’s talent meant he matched the landscape.”
Costner emphasized the importance of the right composer, stating, “Music is important, but it’s crucial to get the right person. For Horizon, John Debney was that person.”
Although the RSNO has long been known for its recording work, it wasn’t until moving into its purpose-built center at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall complex in 2015 that the orchestra had permanent facilities for such projects.
Costner expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “It was a thrill to give them a chance to play on such a grand scale. All we wanted was for them to feel included, knowing the impact they were making. It’s something I hope people will discover and revisit, marveling at the scenery, performances, and music—a magic carpet of emotion that sweeps you away the moment the first note is played.”
Alistair Mackie, who transitioned from lead trumpet player with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London to CEO of the RSNO in 2019, recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for recording work, enhancing the orchestra’s role in film music.
