Reviving the Shakers through music: Daniel Blumberg discusses scoring ‘The Testament of Ann Lee,’ composing ‘favorite’ song ‘Clothed by the Sun’

Mona Fastvold directed The Testament of Ann Lee, co-written with her partner Brady Corbet, following their collaboration on The Brutalist. The film explores the remarkable journey of Mother Ann Lee, who founded the Shaker movement after being expelled from England for her unconventional worship practices. In 1774, she emigrated to America with a small group of followers, establishing a spiritual community that some believed embodied a female manifestation of God, renowned for its spirited singing and dynamic rituals.

Composer Daniel Blumberg, who earned an Oscar earlier this year for The Brutalist, treated the Shaker-inspired music as a living presence within the film. He contributed three original songs alongside a dozen adapted Shaker hymns, with the centerpiece track "Clothed by the Sun" accompanying the end credits. Blumberg combined historical research with live recordings performed on set and during ADR by Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried and the ensemble cast, including Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson, and Christopher Abbott.

Filmed on 35mm with choreography by Celia Rowlson-Hall, the movie presents a rare historical epic centered on a female figure, transforming music into an immersive experience that blends research, ritual, and performance.

Blumberg described the project as demanding a fresh approach to composition, emphasizing physicality, improvisation, and letting the music convey emotional truth rather than merely supporting the visuals. He began recording with Amanda Seyfried months before filming, using her voice to shape the music and guide the development of choreography. He explained that their early sessions helped unlock the creative direction of the score.

For Shaker hymns like "Hunger & Thirst", Blumberg worked to modernize the simple, historically austere melodies while respecting their origins. The process involved extensive research into Shaker traditions, harmonies, and performance practices, combined with an experimental, almost pop-like restructuring for cinematic impact. The actors performances, often wailing, grunting, and moving, influenced the physical energy of the score.

Blumberg drew inspiration from improvising vocalists such as Phil Minton and Maggie Nicols, who contributed live improvisations to the film, pushing the music to extreme emotional and physical expression. The journey from raw, untamed vocalizations to controlled Shaker songs culminates in the emotionally resonant final track, "Clothed by the Sun". Created during the films sound mix with an electric guitar, the song blends contemporary qualities with the historical narrative, perfectly aligning with the closing sequence of the film.

Working closely with the choreographer and staying on set throughout production allowed Blumberg to explore new territory in his composing career, including pre-production planning, dance scoring, and intimate sound design. He highlighted the collaborative nature of the process and the technical growth it fostered, describing it as an endlessly engaging and inspiring artistic experience.

Reflecting on his Oscar win and this creative journey, Blumberg emphasized the importance of focusing on meaningful work rather than public recognition, valuing the sustained engagement with projects that resonate deeply with artists and collaborators.

Author: Natalie Monroe