Nine (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2009 film Nine released on December 22, 2009, through Geffen Records. The film, directed by Rob Marshall, was loosely based on the musical of the same name, which in turn is based on the film 8ý, and featured an ensemble cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, and Sophia Loren.
The album featured tracks from the Broadway musical performed by the cast members, and three original songs written and composed by Maury Yeston. Two of the songsâÂÂ"Cinema Italiano" and "Take It All"âÂÂwere respectively nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The film's soundtrack accompanied songs based on the original Broadway musical. Around 16 tracks were featured in the album, with a bonus track released specifically for digital platforms.
According to music supervisor Sullivan, Marshall's idea of a musical is that people does not sing to each other in real life, and he did not want such. Hence, they designed a stage, which all happens through the inside of Guido's mind and his fantasies and how he sees the world through theatrics and music. Music director Paul Bogaev assigned all of the actors to prepare them and record the songs before filming. As Day-Lewis have not done anything musically except singing in choirs, Bogaev worked with the actor for several days before recording the score.
The recording commenced during September 2008, and Bogaev conducted a 50-piece orchestra at the Abbey Road Studios on London. Italian composer Andrea Guerra was assigned to write the incidental underscore.
The original composer Maury Yeston had recorded three original songs for the film, which were:
These are songs that appeared in the musical, but were not included in the film nor in the soundtrack.
Geffen Records released the soundtrack on December 22, 2009, through physical formats. The soundtrack was exclusively released through iTunes and Amazon, a week prior, with two bonus tracks for specific platforms.
(*) Songs not featured in the film, bonus tracks.
Adrian Edwards of BBC wrote "In the song stakes Nine doesnâÂÂt measure up to Chicago, but the high professional gloss from all concerned in this audio presentation makes one forget that for a while. And if the object of a soundtrack is to tempt the listener into the cinema then the invitation on offer here is irresistible." William Ruhlmann of AllMusic wrote "All of this ephemera serves to make the soundtrack album for Nine as much of a train wreck as the movie itself." Philip French of The Guardian wrote "All the songs were unfamiliar to me and moderately tuneful, though I didn't leave the cinema humming them, and the lyrics are not exactly in the Stephen Sondheim class."