Not with a Bang . . . Silence, Noise and Musical Nihilism in Béla Tarr’s <i>A torinói ló</i>

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the soundtrack of Béla Tarr’s A torinói ló from multiple perspectives. We consider each of the distinct categories of sonic elements and consider their interactions in terms of their dramatic, symbolic, and structural roles. These primary elements—repetitive sample loops of pink noise, broadband noise, and highly redundant melodic fragments, all layered and sequenced in a variety of configurations, along with the musical deployment of silence, dominate the film—interrupted only by the voice of the narrator and the occasional voices of actors.