Rehearsals for Eurovision 2018 begin in just over two weeks. And slowly but surely, the pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place. This week Portuguese broadcaster RTP unveiled the official soundtrack for next month’s contest.
The orchestral theme is the creation of Luís Figueiredo, the man who arranged Salvador Sobral’s Eurovision 2017 winning “Amar Pelos Dois”. Not only is Figueiredo the piece’s author, he also directed and produced the number.
Along with Rui Guerreiro, Figueiredo oversaw the recording and mixing processes too.
Performed by the prestigious Orquestra Filarmonia das Beiras and conducted by António Lourenço, the composition is a move away from the most recent Eurovision theme tunes.
As with their staging of the contest, the Portuguese have also incorporated a back to basics approach here. The usual bombast has been stripped away, leaving something that wouldn’t sound out of place on an old-school Hollywood movie.
Gentle and soothing, some percussion adds a sense of gravitas. If the Oscars want a new backing track for next year’s In Memoriam segment, they need look no further.
Eurovision 2018 All Aboard Soundtrack
According to the official press release, RTP invited seven Portuguese composers from different musical areas to create an original soundtrack based on the narrative and visual identity of the 2018 contest.
The soundtrack had to consist of various musical pieces, adapted both to the needs of the television shows as well the several parallel events taking place across Lisbon.
This chosen theme will take several different forms throughout all three live shows in May.
Fan reaction has been mostly positive, with many reacting warmly to the soundtrack’s cinematic flourishes. Our own Portuguese correspondent Bernardo claimed it brought him to tears, presumably of joy.
It's happening! *crying in Portuguese* #eurovision #allaboard https://t.co/cFSSy1CI1Q
— Bernardo Tavares Pereira (@b_tavares_p) April 12, 2018
This year’s Eurovision soundtrack is just magical ??
— Jose ?????? (@JoseOigemeel) April 12, 2018
I’m in love with the soundtrack this year. #Eurovision
— Peach Sornsakon (@psgpeaches) April 12, 2018
GUYS, THE EUROVISION 2018 THEME IS SOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL https://t.co/YKPV1dJmpi
— baltasar (@krxpto) April 12, 2018
Although not everyone was pleased.
EBU: what do you think about the official soundtrack for ESC 2018?
me: pic.twitter.com/qqdPpwOXdx— eric ?????? (@ericlewan) April 12, 2018
What do you think of this year's Eurovision soundtrack? https://t.co/SrILchMGd2
I'm still trying to figure out what I feel about it tbh— Eurofan ??| ?????????? (@myescstatements) April 12, 2018
The beginning was little bit boring but I liked the rest of this year's theme song?? https://t.co/b8LDppBYM1
— Elif (@elifsalmanh) April 12, 2018
What do you think of the Eurovision 2018 soundtrack? How does it compare to recent efforts from Kyiv, Stockholm, Vienna and beyond? Let us know in the comments below.
Follow all of our Portugal Eurovision 2018 news.
Another good and honest Portuguese unlike s-c-u-m-s like @Elfi and @kai.
I found out what your problem is!!! don’t need to thank me ;DDD In the study, the annual ‘Kådiskollen’ (literally: condom check) by the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), a total of 44 percent of Swedes described themselves as satisfied with their sex lives while 31 percent said they were not satisfied. The corresponding figures for their Nordic neighbours were: satisfied, 44 percent (Norway) and 46 percent (Denmark and Finland); and unsatisfied, 26 percent (Finland), 28 percent (Norway) and 27 percent (Denmark). A total of 72 percent of those Swedes who described themselves as unhappy said it was because… Read more »
A Portuguese (I guess) who understands me! Thank you!
Ojala fueras fresca y divertida y no pasada de moda , en un mundo que hace tiempo se desecha la vukgqridad cinsumista y el vintage consciente es vanguardia, quizas por eso el esc tenia nulo prestigio, por legiones de ignorantes opinando de todo en un concurso de canciones
This is so good! If I close my eyes I can picture the Portuguese adventurous sailing in the ocean, the winds changing the course of the ship and the horns finnaly announcing: “Land Ahoy”!
Luís Figueiredo is brilliant and never disappoints.
ohhh… “Portugal is soooo poor, lisbon is not a historical city, is a dirty one… this Esc will suck… cause i just enjoy 100 floor buildings with zero history, zero heart, zero fire! it would be sooooo good to have this esc in sweden! it would be huuuugeeeee…cause sweden blablabla” And STILL!!!!!! “Portugal has won the World Travel Awards coveted title as “Best European Destination” for the first time in a hotly-contested contest that saw the country pitch against former winners Greece, Italy, Spain, and France, as well as northern countries including the UK, Norway, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.” And… Read more »
tourism is industry??? Not services?? LOL Indeed Portugal was the first european country to be considered Best World destination. Portugal was voted Europe’s Leading Destination with Turismo de Portugal scooping the prize for Europe’s Leading Tourist Board. Meanwhile the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira was hailed Europe’s Leading Island Destination. Some people say “meaningless awards”…ahhahah Get some information.. If the minimum wage in Portugal is the lowest in west europe, of course a lot of people migrate. But Portugal is full of immigrants too, they prefer to live here because they like the minimum wage. Portuguese people don´t use to end… Read more »
ohhhh ignorance… that’s a beautiful thing!!! 😀
Im sorry but Lisbon is above EU average 🙂 a country under 75% of EU average IS NOT CONSIDERED poor LOL (so ignorant that you don´t even kow the EU rules….) Poors are all the countries under 75%. Between 75% and 100% are the cohesion transition regions or countries! Cezh Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Spain. Greece, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Malta, Cyprus, Slovakia all of them are under the EU average. I will not talk about Ukraine because is no need. Portugal is full of ukrainian people ( i wonder why the hell they didn´t prefer Sweden…lol) i… Read more »
Yet the Nordic people are cleaner than the dirty Portuguese who smell like cheap dirty animals rolling in the mud all day. Haha
Portuguese are really dirty smell pigs!
I am Portuguese and I am disappointed with this year’s Eurovision production. No LED screens, bad interval acts and now this? This soundtrack sucks! What year is it? Portugal in 1960? When RTP starts trying to “be different,” things never goes well. We are very good at many things, but unfortunately, on TV production, we have to learn from other European countries that know how to do television. Although it is not my favorite song, but I hope Sweden wins to show RTP how to make a good Eurovision Song Contest. Don’t forget these words: Eurovision 2018 will be remembered… Read more »
Bernardo sendo tu Portugues, diz-me por favor a palavra que todo tuga sabe que não se traduz para inglês? 🙂
Saudade
Muito bem, neste caso apenas acrescento que tenho pena de partilhar a mesma patria que tu…
Lolololol sooo goood!!!!
I have my opinion, it’s mine, and i don’t want to change yours… In my opinion: When somebody says it will be for sure the worst eurovision ever!!!!!!! that screams hate, hate, hate… the adult thing to do is wait and then give your opinion, not in advance and when the organisation is receiving countless compliments on every aspect. But still ther’s no point replying to people who say words like “worst” “ever” cause for those i just have two words “pitty” and “imature” … I love to live in my country, i love the sun, i love my paycheck… Read more »
who’s??? xD on my daily job i talk maybe with 50+ foreign people per month, they think the opposite my friend…
so! you go live and hate on you little bubble of sadness 🙂
clearly neither your amazing country or your parents were able to give you proper education in order to have the brain prepared to accept different opinions!!!
No one owns the truth!! every one have his own, welcome to the world… 🙂
Excuse me? Portugal was massively applauded during the Nation Parade at Olympic Games in Rio….
Indeed Portugal is by far the old colonial power with better social relation with all former oversea territoires.
In 2016 people were celebrating the portuguese victory from Brazil to Timor….lol keep trying jealous 🙂
Stay in your little bubble. Brazilians hate the Portugese and it is understandable why. And the Chinese as well. Haha
Jealous? Meh. Nothing to be jealous of a poor dirty primarive country with nothing but pollution to offer.
just to remind you dear haters…ESC 2018 will take place in the most amazing place ever! Parque das Naçoes kill all the other places where ESC was done before
That place cost 5,5billion euros 20 years ago!
Keep on hating jealous people! 🙂
Kai, I do not know why you even bother to reply to obvious ignorant people…
you´re right i will not reply anymore
its time to enjoy the preparation and esc 2018 🙂
Lisbon is the 2nd oldest european capital..theres no 10floor building in down tonw. Also by the portuguese law every building with more than 5 floor has elevator lol..you don´t need to lie.
BIE considered expo´98 the best ever but you say was”overspend, inefficiency and corruption.”
Keep on hating! We are loving 🙂
ps: the subway is so bad that Sweden tried to do the same calling artist to decorate the stations LOL
Theres no buildings with 10 floor in Rua dos Sapateiros…LOL thats nonsense!!! BIE never talked about the worst, but the best one. For some reason after 98 every Expo must have a theme, and a project for pos-Expo…. Shangai? HAHAHAHAH You have no idea about it. Expo2010 got a lot of inspiration in Lisbon 98…guess why??? Because the project for Pos-Expo and of course the urban regeneration project. You thibnk bigger is better…you only talk about the size. Stop talking about swedish artist! In 1960 swedish subway station did not had any artistic decoration…you know why?? Because only URSS and… Read more »
“It is a forgotten nation of Europe” MUAHAHAHAHAH
its all about Portugal since last years…and thats why you are so piss off. You´re full of hate and jealousy. So the Expo was the worst, but BIE said it was the best just to please a “forgotten nation” muahahhaha
30million people visit Portugal every single year
Eurochampion and host nation for esc 2018…deal with that with your lack of respect and dignity 🙂
Hahahahahahahahah. So deluded. No-one cares about those except you. There are more people visiting other parts of Europe. 30 million means nothing. Lollol
I am glad Lisbon host ESC 2018 because it can pay all the bills even though it is going to pretty cheap in comparison. What the heck, only if we experience a bad one, we can know what a good one is like. Have fun paying the bills. Hahahaha
You are absolutely disgusting…..full of hate…..you are going to die in a short time…
And you will die and rot and fed to bacteria.. and your family…all of them. Hahahahaha
í feel bad for some people who wrote here
they just say “Portugal is poor” who actually is not
LEDs are high tec, No LEDs is dated ..
your minds are stuck in middle ages…poor darlings :/
i will not call honest to a fake account full of hate and jealous 🙂
thats why Portugal is the 3rd safest country in this world and considered the most friendly ehehehhe keep trying hater keep trying
“dishonest and liars” says who? A jealous fake account 🙂
are you ashamed of your country? Why don+´t you tell where you came from?…thats bizarre and embarrassing…
Safe and friendly like Syria? maybe there will be some attacks with the lack of security at ESC this year? Hehe.
Better stay away…
Some memes are just getting overused with no needs.
This is so much fun!! I love this theme!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Portugal. I appreciate the classical flair you’ve brought to this.
I thoroughly enjoy the fresh perspective that Portugal is bringing on everything. Lisbon 2018 has been created with so much care and effort. I think we are in for one of the most unique, authentic, and best Eurovisions yet.
30millions is more than double the cost in Sweden….wheres the poverty??
some people are freaking stupid and think LED is wealth, no LED is poverty.
wheres the lack of technology if the host nation and the responsable for the stage said they will use quite modern technology that has never been used before???
Gosh get some REAL information about ESC2018 and dissapear with your prejudice about LED and “portuguese poverty”….
Lisbon is dirty and dysfunctional…you are not you are not describing Lisbon, but your brain!
Lisbon is a unique city considered the 4th most beautifull city in this world. You don´t need to be jealous, you just need to visit the city LOL
https://www.ucityguides.com/cities/top-10-most-beautiful-cities.html
🙂
Ucityguides….is not like anyone can create LOL
Miserable arguments from you….what a shame.
Meant to be an insult. Why don’t you take your Ucityguides and jump into the ocean.
Sounds like going on an adventure~
hater gonna hate. You´re full of hate
Portugal did great with expi´98, better than Spain or Germany i was there!!!
Did great with euro 2004. BIE and UEFA said that was the best organization ever. The same with the NATO summit..
But you know that esc 201u will be a dissaster LOL….
“im crying so bad no LED so poor LEDs are live we don´t exist without LEDS”
Portugal uis full of gold is a high income economy a developed country but you insist talking about poor show, poverty and bla bla bla
ENOUGH BITCH calm dow now!!!
Portugal is the poorest country in west europe…whats the point to talk about GDP per capita??? Thats nonsense lol
Expo2000 in Germany dind´t had a single movie in virtual reality or 3D…in Lisbon there were a lot including a Virtual Reality Pavillion not only the “planet der visionem” LOL
you have no idea about you´re trying to criticize….
?
What are the so called dated concepts you’re talking about? Care to be specific?
Non fast food songs? I assume Portugal is sending all the entries this year then?
This comment makes absolutely no sense at all.
You took the words out of my mouth. I think it’s not just a money problem, it’s also because of the Salvador and his victory speech. But RTP had a hypocritical attitude by putting LED screens on the stage of the Festival da Canção’s final and not putting on the stage of Eurovision. I’m sorry for we’re ruining this great TV show. Europe and the world don’t deserve this. Next year’s Eurovision will be much better, for sure!
Jon Ola Sand thinks the opposite… funny!! I will repeat, and i’m just putting the focus on Leds: this decision it’s not about money…
This decision from Rtp isn’t listening some fans, sure! but is listening others fans that thinks other way!!
It kinda reminds me some old movie, but I can’t remember which one – Winnetou, maybe?
Anyway – it sounds amazing and I love it.
This is classy and timeless. I adore how Luís Figueiredo kept it Portuguese and grand. It just brings me to tears. So beautiful! I’m proud of RTP. They have an artistic vision and everything makes sense, together. It would be cheaper to make an anthem with some computer beats and it would be cheaper to put a giant LED on the stage, but instead they hired a whole orchestra and they’re having a sophisticated piece of engineering on stage (which will move during the show), they will rely on the subtleties of light, they will focus on the music. Those… Read more »
Westworld (tv show) Perfection!!!!! 😀
This somehow reminds me of a soundtrack for a themepark
Es que eurovision es un parque tematico
At the beginning it sounds very classic and it seems like an oscar track. But I like the change when it has rhythm and sounds traditional and more meditterenean.
Even if it’s the freshier of soundtacks composed by a Grammy Artist, nothing can beat the soundtrack of Copenhagen 2014. I know it would be 100% pure and proud Portuguese so I hope something interesting like the Baku 2012 oriental and mystic soundtrack. That one was good as heck, even in such dissapointment of a year.
I’m enjoying to see so much criticism, when they start the machine you fall in love. It will be very different and it will be exceptional. Believe me. It’s not only a song contest, they will create an imaginary world.
this looks as if it were organized by Brazilian TV Cultura
RTP is taking a fresh approach to everything – it’s really amazing. No cookie cutter show this year. I hope this encourages next year’s host to keep shaking things up.
We heard you the first 800 times, let it go. Maybe you can wrap some Christmas tree lights around your face when you watch the show – then we’ll all be happy.
Bernardo (i know that’s not your name) :
You’re as much portuguese as i am a nordic born woman. Which i am far from btw.
What a relevant comment… * clapping slowly * If you do not have anything interesting to say, it is better to remain silent. I am Portuguese, I live in Portugal and I know how RTP is in television production. So, I predict a bad Eurovision in terms of television production.
Há gente tão parva!
E você é uma delas, minha querida!
Se parasses de usar o tradutor e assumisses que não és de terras lusitanas? Enfim, era quem te desse umas cabeçadas até efetivamente começares a falar português
Credo, que violência…
Que agressivo… Também tratas assim a tua mulher?
i wonder if you choose a Bernardo as nick just because you know Bernardo is also a portuguese name…
the stage looks like 1960??? The logo????
The arena is from 1960???
Some people only want Schlager music, or upbeat songs in english and soundtracks made by computer….
ESC 2018 will be great for sure
The soundtrack sounds to 1960! And I did not complain of the songs in the contest. But of course you could not quite understand what I said because of your low IQ.
of course…you´re the only one who understand everything
Keep on touch Mr. Brain
If you have felt “offended”, it is because you know that I am right.
you told i felt “offended” you saw that in your crystal ball?
Damm you´re full of hate…poor darling
OMG, you can not even argue with me! How old are you? 12?
argue? LOL is that what you call “argue”? …
look at yourself, your attitude here…
12 years old, you´re right!
Loved it. I can feel a lot of different elements. Some old Hollywood, some John Williams, even a little bit of Western. And finally, the Portuguese seasoning. The start may sound a little too heavy for an Eurovision, but since the postcards are shorter, I believe they’ll use the lighter second half during them.
I love the portugueseness of this year’s contest.
To be fair there were no LEDs in 2010, so why there’s a big fuss about it I’m not really sure.
Beautiful! So Portuguese and so ESC at the same time <3 And true, it could easily be a soundtrack to some movie 😀
I love it! Sounds like John Williams went fado. Worlds better than the news segment music from the past few years.
we will have Esc 2018 full of class
this soundtrack is not just made by computer…this is music!!!
Obviously you have no idea about Portugal…
there are LEDs in ESC2018 but not the way some fans would like
I love the idea that Portugal will force everyone to show talent on stage and not production!
Portugal never used fireworks or special effetcs in theur performances….and now all of you have to deal with that! LOL
I think in Lisbon there will be a lot of performances with projection screens. Therefore, in fact, nothing will change, they will only replace one technology with another, cheaper.
Gosh can we just take a break from this no-LED drama? It’s just how Portugal do the Eurovision, so why can’t we just appreciate it? It’s a song contest after all, not about LED or visual contest.
Some people don’t remember Eurovision without LEDs and countries that keep redoing the same thing all over again in different shapes. It’s time for a change and I think a lot of this people are up for a big positive surprise. Wait and see.
Most people do not remember the times when mankind used horse-drawn vehicles, this does not mean that we must return to those times.
Why are you so sure that having no LEDs is a step back in time instead of going forward? Are saying that technology innovation stopped with LEDs? I think this will force designers and choreographers to be more creative instead of stamping the singers face in the background.
30millions is farway of being the cheapest eurovision.
Look the Technological index, look for high income economies…Portugal has the all package.
If you are not dumb why the hell you only talk about LEDs? They already said new technology will be used in ESC2018 instead of LEDs. Get some information
ps: by the way Ukraine must me richer than Portugal with all those LEDs…lol
Timeless. 🙂
If it was, then traditional and orchestral music would not have endured and remain relevant to the times.
Hence timeless.
Fantástico!!!!!
So dramatic. But the fans want upbeat.
Re-direct them to Melodifestivalen.
Portugal is farway richer than Ukraine
the wealth of a nation is not available by LEDs…dont be ridiculous
your taste is just like your name, Mediocre
Ouch, that one really hurt. NOT!!!!!!!!
I’ll pay for lifetime of therapy and they’ll be just fine
I have money to waist, it’s more fun that way.
But I would “Feed you to the Fish” with great pleasure,
PIRANHAS to be a bit more painful, while I have a flute of bubbly and watch lol
Omg it reminds me of Jurassic Park so much. Just the beginning though, it certainly canals it. I like it, somehow it feels familiar, but not bad at all.
what makes you think that LEDs are expensive? they are actually cheap. they’re not using LEDs because of money but because they want to be different and if people were so unhappy about the whole organization why did tickets sale out so quickly when last year the day before the final there were tickets available?
So Ukraine had LEDs and Portugal no because its poor? lol
keep trying 🙂
Padraig Muldoon – ”If the Oscars want a new backing track for next year’s In Memoriam segment, they need look no further.”
Padraig = The King Of Shades
Jurassic Park?? Lol this gives me adventure vibes. All Aboard the hype train
For me, the beginning is more like the Star Trek.
I thought of JP too. Considering how old the original movie is, that’s not really a good thing.