Original score from the 2024 documentary feature film directed by Yael Melamede, produced by Salty Features, Medalia Productions and Yes Docu.

THE STORY: Renowned architect Ada Karmi-Melamede balanced family life and major projects in 1970s NYC before leaving to design Israel’s Supreme Court. Her daughter’s film explores their relationship and career-motherhood tensions

THE SCORE: “The score for ADA was composed for piano, electronics, strings, and woodwind chamber orchestra, recorded at Air Lyndhurst Studios. In conversations with director Yael Melamede, we set out to create a musical language that would mirror the film’s thematic structure – Roots, Route, Heart, Light and Time. We wanted the music to serve as a sonic reflection of Ada’s relationship with space and light, and of the deep personal sacrifices entwined with a creative life. Our goal was to capture the weight of her professional achievements alongside her personal compromises—subtly, without overwhelming the narrative. We used very delicate emotional cues, relying on short motifs with electronics, piano and  strings to evoke a sense of longing and tension, while the full orchestra playing was more about the grandeur feel when seeing her architectural achievements.” – Frank Ilfman

THE COMPOSER: Frank Ilfman originally studied trombone and piano at the Jaffa Conservatorium of Music, then at the age of thirteen he was joined the Tel Aviv Dixieland Band where he played lead trombone in addition to arranging for them. His passion for film music was ignited when a visit to Bavaria Studios got him introduced to German composer Klaus Doldinger, who was scoring The Neverending Story at that time. Since starting out, Frank had scored over sixty films and television projects. His breakthrough was written for Big Bad Wolves whose music won a Saturn Award shortly after being issued by MovieScore Media. Some of Ilfman’s other recent credits include the supernatural thriller Sensoria (available from Screamworks Records), Rory’s Way (available from MovieScore Media) and the new logo of Legendary Pictures.

RB250026 ADA: MY MOTHER THE ARCHITECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Music Composed by FRANK ILFMAN
Release date: July 4, 2025