EDITORIAL

BEHIND THE SCORE

Anthony Willis on the sound of Wuthering Heights

In Behind the Score, we step inside the sessions of composers to uncover the ideas, sounds and techniques behind their work. In this episode, composer Anthony Willis opens up his score for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, taking us inside “Dog in a Manger”, a pivotal scene between Cathy and Isabella where jealousy bubbles to the surface and their relationship begins to fracture.

For Anthony, the score is built around three distinct musical worlds: Wuthering Heights itself is rugged and unforgiving, while Cathy’s relationship with Heathcliff brings warmth and tenderness, meanwhile, Thrushcross represents something more alluring, a world Anthony colours with harp, dulcimer and flute.

Behind The Score | Anthony Willis

14:12

Dog in a manger is centered on the Thrushcross Waltz, a turning point in the film as the tension between Cathy and Isabella escalates, an “ornate, slightly twisted lullaby” that begins with an intimate, music-box-like quality before becoming increasingly unsettled.

A trio of harps forms the foundation. Anthony used Spitfire Harp in his demo, choosing a close mix for intimacy and even planning where each harp would sit before recording. Harp harmonics introduce a “thick, dreamy chorus sound”, with Anthony deliberately searching for the slight weirdness created when they meet the main harp.

Around them, he builds a tapestry of contrasting colours. LABS Dulcimer captures the bright, sparkling world of the Lintons, while alto flute, breathy vocals and rhythmic elements gradually disturb the cue’s delicacy. As Isabella’s anger takes over, double basses add weight, while rugged guitar textures recall the rougher musical world of Wuthering Heights.

The episode also reveals how Anthony moves between samples and live players. His demos are meticulously programmed, but they’re ultimately a starting point for performance.

You can program things up really specifically… [but] I think it’s great to leave some room for that musicianship.

It’s that balance of precision and performance, beauty and unease that gives the cue its character, turning a seemingly delicate musical world into something increasingly fractured as the scene unfolds.