Anastasia
David Newman
" Anastasia is surely one of the most important releases of David Newman’s career "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
When it comes down to projects, David Newman hasn't got the luxury to be picky. Most often than not, the projects he's meant to score aren't worthy of even a single note of his music. Yet sometimes, he receives a project worthy of his talent. And just sometimes he is heralded for that specific project. Anastasia received an Oscar nomination and it still stands today as his greatest honoree work of his career.
The reason he received a nomination is because at those days, animations were accepted a lot easier than now. And back at those days, there were 2 genres in which music could be nominated. The dramatic and the action category. Perhaps a reason the music of Newman was nominated due to 2 categories instead of 1, or it could be that his music is just very good.
Because what David Newman realizes in this short soundtrack is not something I can ignore that easily. It is a serious work, orchestral and choral delivering both drama and excitement. And while the promo offers the double of excitement (especially those wonderful action cues), the original score brings a fine balance between the songs and score, providing the listener with a solid listening experience.
When we want to talk about the songs they fall into 2 categories. You have the ones who are sung by the main characters of the movie. In truth not bad but like most of them they don't stick in the mind like they should. "A Rumor in St. Petersburg", "Learn to do It" and "Paris Holds the Key (to your Heart)" are those that don't warrant complete attention. Some of them however actually do. "Journey to the Past" is very charming, "In the Dark of the Night" is the typical likeable villain song and "At the Beginning" gives us pop commercial festivity. Aaliyah herself will be remembered for her stunning voice, her version of "Journey to the Past" can be included to that list.
Enough with the songs, on with the score. And it is definitely worth remembering. "Prologue" already starts early with choral thundering accompaniment. "Kidnap and Reunion" holds many spectacular moments and the final 2 tracks bring some of Newman's most heartfelt choral material. So be sure to look up the tracks I'm referring to, namely the mesmerizing duo package "Reminiscing with Grandma" and "Finale".
It is obvious the expanded promo brings much more joy and spirit to David Newman's score. His expanded action cues are surely thrilling and exciting enough to mention twice. In fact, it provides musical material that warrants an all out score release of Anastasia.
Of course this still proves that David Newman isn't considered to be the equal of a Thomas or Randy when it comes down to composing for movies. Even if Anastasia was nominated for an Oscar, it still only received 6 tracks on a CD. Not enough despite the feeling we should be glad that we received something instead of nothing. When it comes down to emotional, serious and spectacular projects, Anastasia is surely one of the most important releases of David Newman's career. It gives us David Newman in all his wonder, it provides his other voice, it shows that there is no reason to make him hide in comedies whatsoever.
Score: ****
Songs: ***
Tracklisting
1. A Rumor in St. Petersburg (3.22)
2. Journey to the Past (2.53)
3. Once Upon a December (2.46)
4. In the Dark of The Night (3.18) Excellent track
5. Learn To Do It (2.34)
6. Learn To Do It (Waltz Reprise) (1.42)
7. Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart) (3.01)
8. At the Beginning: Richard Max & Donna Lewis (3.39) Excellent track
9. Journey to the Past: Aaliyah (4.03)
10. Once Upon a December: Deana Carter (3.32)
11. Prologue * (6.21) Excellent track
12. Speaking of Sophie * (2.34)
13. The Nightmare * (3.02)
14. Kidnap and Reunion * (4.26)
15. Reminiscing With Grandma * (3.13) Excellent track
16. Finale * (2.56) Excellent track
* Soundtrack composed by David Newman
Total Length: 54.05
The reason he received a nomination is because at those days, animations were accepted a lot easier than now. And back at those days, there were 2 genres in which music could be nominated. The dramatic and the action category. Perhaps a reason the music of Newman was nominated due to 2 categories instead of 1, or it could be that his music is just very good.
Because what David Newman realizes in this short soundtrack is not something I can ignore that easily. It is a serious work, orchestral and choral delivering both drama and excitement. And while the promo offers the double of excitement (especially those wonderful action cues), the original score brings a fine balance between the songs and score, providing the listener with a solid listening experience.
When we want to talk about the songs they fall into 2 categories. You have the ones who are sung by the main characters of the movie. In truth not bad but like most of them they don't stick in the mind like they should. "A Rumor in St. Petersburg", "Learn to do It" and "Paris Holds the Key (to your Heart)" are those that don't warrant complete attention. Some of them however actually do. "Journey to the Past" is very charming, "In the Dark of the Night" is the typical likeable villain song and "At the Beginning" gives us pop commercial festivity. Aaliyah herself will be remembered for her stunning voice, her version of "Journey to the Past" can be included to that list.
Enough with the songs, on with the score. And it is definitely worth remembering. "Prologue" already starts early with choral thundering accompaniment. "Kidnap and Reunion" holds many spectacular moments and the final 2 tracks bring some of Newman's most heartfelt choral material. So be sure to look up the tracks I'm referring to, namely the mesmerizing duo package "Reminiscing with Grandma" and "Finale".
It is obvious the expanded promo brings much more joy and spirit to David Newman's score. His expanded action cues are surely thrilling and exciting enough to mention twice. In fact, it provides musical material that warrants an all out score release of Anastasia.
Of course this still proves that David Newman isn't considered to be the equal of a Thomas or Randy when it comes down to composing for movies. Even if Anastasia was nominated for an Oscar, it still only received 6 tracks on a CD. Not enough despite the feeling we should be glad that we received something instead of nothing. When it comes down to emotional, serious and spectacular projects, Anastasia is surely one of the most important releases of David Newman's career. It gives us David Newman in all his wonder, it provides his other voice, it shows that there is no reason to make him hide in comedies whatsoever.
Score: ****
Songs: ***
Tracklisting
1. A Rumor in St. Petersburg (3.22)
2. Journey to the Past (2.53)
3. Once Upon a December (2.46)
4. In the Dark of The Night (3.18) Excellent track
5. Learn To Do It (2.34)
6. Learn To Do It (Waltz Reprise) (1.42)
7. Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart) (3.01)
8. At the Beginning: Richard Max & Donna Lewis (3.39) Excellent track
9. Journey to the Past: Aaliyah (4.03)
10. Once Upon a December: Deana Carter (3.32)
11. Prologue * (6.21) Excellent track
12. Speaking of Sophie * (2.34)
13. The Nightmare * (3.02)
14. Kidnap and Reunion * (4.26)
15. Reminiscing With Grandma * (3.13) Excellent track
16. Finale * (2.56) Excellent track
* Soundtrack composed by David Newman
Total Length: 54.05