Episode 19

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Published on:

29th May 2025

A Conversation with Dominik Scherrer

In this episode, Ruth talks to Anglo-Swiss composer Dominik Scherrer about many topics including inspirations for his career to writing for period dramas to specifics in writing for the BBC/PBS series "Miss Austen." Whether it is the choice of instruments to writing in 7/8 to writing for the emotional truth of the work, there were a lot of topics to cover. We also covered a little regarding the album for "Miss Marple."

The music of Anglo-Swiss composer Dominik Scherrer can be heard in some of the finest dramas made in recent years, earning him two Ivor Novello Awards, a Primetime Emmy nomination, and a further four Ivor Novello nominations. 

Born into a musical family in Zurich, Switzerland, Dominik moved to London aged 19, where he has resided since. Among his initial compositions were two groundbreaking operas for the screen. The second, “Hell for Leather,” garnered attention, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, being selected for the prestigious Young British Artist exhibition, Sensation at the Brooklyn Museum, and subsequently received ten international awards.

Dominik started scoring independent feature films, such as apocalyptic The Nine Lives of Tomas Katz and followed on with scores for acclaimed British drama series such as six seasons of Agatha Christie’s Marple and five seasons of the Victorian crime drama Ripper Street, earning him his first Ivor Novello award. He is a frequent collaborator of director Aisling Walsh, scoring her Bafta nominated An Inspector Calls, the Bafta winning Elizabeth is Missing, and most recently Miss Austen. Dominik received a second Ivor Novello Award for the supernatural thriller Requiem, on which he collaborated with Natasha Khan, aka Bat for Lashes.

His collaboration with the writers Harry Williams and Jack Williams began with the global hit The Missing. Dominik’s score received a Primetime Emmy nomination. Further scores for the Williams brothers were for The Widow, Boat Story, and The Tourist. Sight & Sound praised Dominik’s unique soundtrack to the Netflix series The Serpent: “Dominik Scherrer’s marvellous score, a riot of analogue synths.” The soundtrack was nominated for an Ivor Novello and Camille Award.

Guest: Dominik Scherrer, dominikscherrer.com or dominik_g_scherrer on Instagram.

Host: Ruth Mudge, World of Soundtracks

"Reading Jane's Letter" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"The Promise" - The Piano, music by Michael Nyman, 1993 Michael Nyman LTD.

"Claiming the Letters" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Ripper Street" - Ripper Street (Original Television Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2015 Silva Screen Records LTD.

"Nothing But Death" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Farewell, Sister" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Cassandra Austen" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"The End was Peaceful" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Visiting Hampshire" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Leaving Hampshire" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Jane Misses Home" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Wedding Dress" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

"Theme from "Agatha Christie's Marple"" - Agatha Christie's Marple (Music from the Television Series, music by Dominik Scherrer, 2020 Agatha Christie Limited.

Endless Night (Urban Romance) - Agatha Christie's Marple (Music from the Television Series, music by Dominik Scherrer, 2020 Agatha Christie Limited.

"Jane is to be Published" - Miss Austen (Original Soundtrack), music by Dominik Scherrer, 2025 Bonnie Productions LTD, under exclusive license to Dubois Records.

World of Soundtracks - music by Edith Mudge, graphics by Lindsey Bergsma

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World of Soundtracks
The Musical Journey of Soundtracks
Love the soundtracks of your favorite movie or show and you don't know why? Join host Ruth Mudge as she takes you on a journey through Jane Austen, Harry Potter, and other beloved soundtracks. She explores how the music enhances telling the story and the ways these musical ideas carry both the narrative and emotional journey of the characters and world.
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Ruth Mudge

Ruth Mudge, a former native of Connecticut, is a cello instructor and performer in the Western Suburbs of the Chicago area.  She grew up playing both the piano and cello in a musical household. The love and knowledge she received in that home and teachers she loves to share with others, whether through teaching a new generation of musicians to sharing her musical gifts to her community.
Ruth began teaching Soundtrack classes on Zoom in 2020 ranging from Star Wars to Harry Potter to Jane Austen adaptations. She presented a break-out session "The World of Jane Austen Soundtracks" at JASNA's AGM in 2021 as well as to local chapters around the country. She has also collaborated with YouTube channel "Jorah the Andal" on several videos focused on the TV show "Arrow."