[3][4] Marianelli began working on the soundtrack three months prior to the beginning of production, as the music would be required for choreography and synchronization of the actors' movements.

[5][6][7] He first composed the waltzes that would accompany the ballroom scenes, as they required the most planning and collaboration.

[5][7] Marianelli took inspiration from Russian music of the 19th century, particularly that of Mikhail Glinka, Mily Balakirev, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

[7] A portion of this inspiration came from "Byeroza", a Russian folk song about a birch tree.

[5][8] The soundtrack was performed by 60 musicians at AIR Lyndhurst Hall in London with Marianelli on the piano.