The music is brilliant! I hope the new music from January's like this!
I agree, very nice music, if a little BBC-influenced!
However I must say that the current music is the best part of the 2009 look for me. It's not as good as the imposing NAT music of course, but it's certainly a hell of a lot better than the 2006 package which was just far too percussive and harsh. Though the current music is all synthesised, I love the presence of orchestral strings, particularly in the build-up to the close theme.
Also, is it me or has the classic ITN motif gradually become higher and higher in pitch with every reworked theme?!
Yes, more or less. The first reworked theme in 1992 was higher in pitch than the original; 1995 was another step up, but stayed the same in 1999; 2004 was another increase and stayed the same in 2006; and finally 2009 was even higher in pitch again.
I've not been really fond of any ITV News music since the 1999 music was dropped in 2004. Of the modern themes, 2004 is probably my favourite - I think the current titles sound like a horrible police siren droning on. Plus, the ITN notes are far too high pitch. It's arguably become a parody. If they keep the traditional tune any longer, I'd prefer they drop the pitch significantly once more. I know some people prefer the 1992 theme but the trumpet in that theme does sound rather synthesised - my personal opinion is that the original 1967 theme was the best. That was performed by a real orchestra and the full Awakening piece sounds wonderful to this day.
The themes with real orchestras always crop up as the favourites - but listening to the 1992 and 1995 ones, I do get the impression that they aren't completely "authentic". I can hear certain elements that appear to be synthesised, especially the trumpets as indicated.
While we're on the subject of themes I do wonder who decided that ITV's America Decides coverage should use NBC's. I did like it because it appeared to be performed with a full orchestra, but it wasn't as epic and serious as 2008's US election theme.
