The score to The Ice Storm by Mychael Danna is one of the most distinctive film scores of the 1990s, largely because it defies the expectations you’d have for a chilly, somber 70s New England drama. You’d assume something orchestral — strings, strings, and more strings. Instead, Danna opens the film with a set of idiosyncratic choices: Indonesian gamelan, Native American flute, and traditional woodwinds like oboe, clarinet, and bassoon.
Despite this unusual mix, the result isn’t gimmicky. It’s haunting, moody, and quietly reflective. The combination of non-Western percussion, indigenous flutes, and classic woodwinds creates a sound that feels slightly alien, slightly displaced. That sense of dislocation mirrors the characters perfectly, people who are outwardly composed yet emotionally adrift.
Moreover, beyond that, the music is simply unforgettable. It’s specific, memorable, and instantly evocative. The moment those opening notes hit, I was hooked.
