Frida
Elliot Goldenthal · 2002
52 min · 24 tracks · opera
An eclectic blend of orchestral and operatic elements capturing the vibrant spirit of Frida Kahlo's life and work.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Burn It Blue — This track serves as the emotional centerpiece of the album, merging haunting vocals with lush orchestration to encapsulate Kahlo's tumultuous spirit.
-
→
La Llorona — A traditional Mexican folk song reinterpreted here, it highlights the cultural roots present throughout the score and evokes themes of loss and longing.
-
→
Portrait of Lupe — This piece combines delicate strings with evocative melodies, reflecting the intimate yet complex relationships in Kahlo's life, particularly her friendship with Lupe Marin.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Goldenthal's score combines rich orchestral writing with cultural elements, making it distinctive and impactful.
What we noticed
- The score features a wide range of orchestral textures, with strings and brass frequently interplaying to evoke different emotional landscapes.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional Mexican musical elements, such as folk instruments and rhythms, creating a cultural authenticity that reflects Kahlo's heritage.
- The album includes both vocal and instrumental pieces, with some tracks featuring operatic singing that blends seamlessly with the orchestration.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- evocative storytelling through sound
- wave-like pacing with emotional depth
- immersive orchestral arrangements
- short vignettes of reflection
- poignant moments of introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2002, 'Frida' is Elliot Goldenthal's score for the biographical film about artist Frida Kahlo. At this point, Goldenthal was already an established composer known for his work on films like 'Batman Forever' and 'Heat', but this score showcased a more personal, culturally rich approach as he drew from Mexican music traditions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Adams· Philip Glass· Steve Reich
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Benediction and Dream 2:31
- 2 The Floating Bed 1:29
- 3 El conejo 2:29
- 4 Paloma negra 3:17
- 5 Self-Portrait With Hair Down 1:09
- 6 Alcoba azul 1:36
- 7 Carabina 30/30 2:43
- 8 Sólo tú 1:22
- 9 El gusto 2:18
- 10 The Journey 2:56
- 11 El antifaz 2:28
- 12 The Suicide of Dorothy Hale 0:48
- 13 La calavera 1:40
- 14 La bruja 1:57
- 15 Portrait of Lupe 2:13
- 16 La Llorona 2:22
- 17 Estrella oscura 1:48
- 18 Still Life 1:31
- 19 Viva la vida 2:16
- 20 The Departure 2:13
- 21 Coyoacán and Variations 2:34
- 22 La Llorona 2:20
- 23 Burning Bed 1:08
- 24 Burn It Blue 5:26
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.