Succession Composer Nicholas Britell Breaks The Chilling Sounds From Season 4 | The Breakdown

Succession composer Nicholas Britell already knew that Logan Roy was going to die in Season Four. In fact, it was his starting point in creating the musical soundscape that wrapped itself around the final season of the hit HBO series. That moment gave him enough emotional insight to build off without needing to know every detail about the upcoming episodes down to the final scenes. In the latest episode of The Breakdown, Britell takes Rolling Stone through his process of creating the chilling sounds of Succession and preserving the element of surprise to better serve the audience.

“I actually didn’t know how the season would end until pretty late. And that was a conscious decision. I didn’t want to know. I wanted to feel the reveal the way an audience would, which I think helps me hopefully to get a sense of like, as an audience member, what is the show actually presenting,” Britell explains. “And then how do I want musically to either enhance that or perhaps go in counterpoint to that? If I have an immediate reaction to something as opposed to knowing it in advance, I think it helps me to have a more instinctive musical approach to that.”

It helped that the band of characters on Succession came with so many of their own complexities. Musically, Britell was able to peel back the layers of people like Logan or even Tom Wambsgans and Shiv Roy. His conversations with Succession creator Jesse Armstrong about the final season expanded the parameters of how the family could be explored musically.

“I’m trying to create the sense of a family’s loss, but also, I think the reality of his legacy is as important as the family’s loss and the truth of his legacy,” Britell says. “I am inspired by all the characters when I’m writing the music, but I often don’t really write themes for characters because I feel that, to me, what really impacts me musically is the relationships between the characters in this sort of dynamic way.”

[elisenelson]

I'm literally in love with this man and what he can do with his fingers on that piano.

[DFarhenheit]

this man is also credited for composing L to the OG
he's good

[graysonridge]

The ‘we gave it a go’ theme at 10:15 is truly heartbreaking. He absolutely accomplished his goal of creating a score that is integral to the fabric of the show. Incredible

[theodorearaujo]

Your music will survive beyond the series. Excellent work.

[freedomm]

The greatest composer of movie/TV scores since Hans Zimmer. I would sit front row at a Nicholas Britell concert.

[MrBraianzzz]

Every note and chord in the Succession theme song is meticulously crafted to mirror the story's narrative. It brilliantly encapsulates legacy, power, and audacity. Yet, it also weaves in elements of madness, familial bonds, and strife. The pianist's explanation of the melody truly illuminates the depth and complexity of this masterful composition.

[Boowl]

I don't think there's ever been a show with a better score. Exceptional.

[AliOnGoogle]

He really articulated this story into the best notes and harmonies ever possible that I can't imagine someone else doing it that way. Bravo!

[matthew.seager]

What a brilliant genius. Thank you, Nicholas - your work throughout these four seasons is nothing short of a masterpiece. I have no doubt I will be coming back to this music for years to come.

[boji_]

The Kendall looking over the water theme is the most perfect final piece

[ParanoidOwlet]

Absolute pleasure to see him explain his creative process and play the pieces as well

[checho]

One of the living geniuses of our times

[lillydasha]

Amazing. I think, it couldn’t be done better for that show, really. During all seasons I heared hopes and pains, falls and revivals of those four children... And it’s was all around the main theme, but every time it sounded in so different ways, with growing tension! And in the end I hear clearly that quintessence of drama, broken dreams and maybe forever broken family…so accurate and so beautiful. Thanks to composer for that particular experience👏🏻

[Dovewhite]

Fantastic to hear him explain it all. Thank you!

[devin]

Incredible that such an amazing score, especially for this season, is getting this little attention

[DivoddYT]

YouTube music said I was in his top 4 percent of listeners this year (mostly because I kept hitting Andante Espressivo on repeat)

[littlelordf_ckleroy]

THIS IS WHAT I WANNA SEE. THIS IS THE CONTENT I NEED.

[dialindsey]

who else is in love this Nicholas and would love more content (sit down, vlog etc....) thank you rolling stones for continue to showcase this genre/instrumental.

[makerofwhatever]

I hope for hundreds of years in future children in music schools will learn about Nicholas Britell like I learned about Mozart, Beethoven, Schopen, Shubert, Bach, Vivaldi and so many more composers of bygone eras. I hope everyone finds Britell's work as fascinating and worthy of recognition as every notable composer in music history.

[karlamartinezpomier]

The fact that he just played Rondo in F minor (Kendall's Summit) entirely, which is my favourite from all the seasons, gave me goosebumps.