Grief, Nature, and Sound: Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch’s H Is For Hawk

Silva Screen Records has announced the release of H Is For Hawk (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), featuring a deeply affecting original score by Ivor Novello–nominated composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch. Following her acclaimed work on All of Us Strangers and Living, Levienaise-Farrouch once again delivers music of striking emotional depth, this time for Philippa Lowthorpe’s adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s beloved memoir.

Rooted in themes of grief, nature, and the enduring bond between father and daughter, Levienaise-Farrouch’s score draws directly from her own experiences of loss. The result is an intimate yet untamed sound world that mirrors the film’s emotional core, alive with fragility, tension, and quiet beauty, much like the wild goshawk at the heart of the story.

Emilie reflects on the evolution of the score:

“From my earliest conversations with Philippa, it was clear that the music for H Is For Hawk needed to mirror Helen's perspective, both in her emotional life and in her relationship with nature. What began as an intimate chamber idea grew into something far more expansive once I saw the footage of the goshawk flying and hunting. Working with the 12 Ensemble, an unconducted string group, we used unusual tunings, extended techniques, and organic sound manipulation to create a score that feels like it’s breathing, as unpredictable and alive as the hawk at the heart of the film.”

H Is For Hawk follows Helen, portrayed by Claire Foy, as she grapples with the sudden death of her father, played by Brendan Gleeson. Retreating into memories of their shared love for birding and the natural world, Helen turns to the ancient European tradition of falconry, training a wild goshawk named Mabel in an effort to survive her overwhelming grief. Yet as she teaches the bird to hunt and fly free, Helen begins to confront the emotional distance she has placed between herself and the rest of her life.

What begins as an act of endurance gradually transforms into a deeply personal journey of resilience and healing. Levienaise-Farrouch’s score serves as a vital emotional guide throughout this process, amplifying the film’s quiet intensity and its exploration of loss, connection, and the restorative power of nature.

Stream now on all music platforms.