Excalibur
Trevor Jones
" Not magical like Merlin, but basically moodier "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
It isn't a big thing, but Trevor Jones scored quite some movies in the begin of his career. After several years of simply non profound titles (at least those we can remember as classics), he scored a dark telling of one of the most classic stories of all, namely Excalibur. Being a rookie in composition, it was Jones that had to underscore the pieces where classical musical wasn't suitable for. It perhaps isn't much you might say, but Trevor Jones saw the opportunity to express his diversity, and while sounding nothing like the Trevor Jones people know today, it still gave us a glimpse of his (to be established) sound.
Whatever you do, don't assume Excalibur is something like Merlin. Merlin first of all was scored almost 17 years later, and at that time we all knew what Jones could deliver of theme alone. Excalibur is more the dominating mood setter. Because the most important pieces are actually not from Jones, but from classical (well known) concert works. "Theme from Excalibur" and "The Death of Arthur" are pieces of The Flying Dutchman of Richard Wagner, "Percival" is the version of the opera of Lohengrin if I'm not mistaken and who doesn't know the famous start of Carmina Burana in "The Siege of Camylarde".
This is the big difference with many other scores, because here the classical music was given the opportunity to shine through most of the important scenes, while giving Jones the underscore to tie it all together. So expect dances and serenades from Jones, and ultimately this leads to a Jones we haven't heard much before.
The dark magical force in "Merlin's Spell", the playful tones in "Igrayne's Dance" and "A Dance at the Court of King Arthur", all give us a wider look of the time and place. And if you wonder what Trevor Jones' theme is, well I find it to be rather good. First briefly spotted in "Mordred's Lair", later developed in "The Land and the King", "Alternate Theme" and "Alternate End Titles", this is a good enough theme to be sure.
Sadly, for most of you, this isn't what you were hoping for. So please don't expect big rousing themes. He as the composer had to set the mood down, not the emotion. The classical music by then will either turn you off, or excite you all the more. Excalibur as an album isn't one I frequently play, hell I rarely have. But it nonetheless gave me a glimpse of the Trevor Jones that was just starting to make a name for himself. And considering the epic name and effect a tale like Excalibur possesses, I'm sure Jones was thrilled with the opportunity and outcome.
Tracklisting
1. Theme From 'Excalibur' * (2.49)
2. Igrayne's Dance (2.07)
3. Merlin's Spell (3.14)
4. The Siege of Camylarde ** (2.36) Excellent track
5. A Dance at the Court of King Arthur (1.17)
6. The Lady of the Lake (1.32)
7. Lancelot and Guinevere * (10.33)
8. The Wedding (1.05)
9. Camelot (3.26)
10. Knights of the Round Table (0.41)
11. A Challenge to Honour (3.04)
12. Quest for the Holy Grail (3.56)
13. Mordred's Lair (1.49)
14. Percival * (11.50)
15. The Land and the King (4.10)
16. The Death of Arthur * (6.37)
17. Alternate Theme (1.28)
18. Alternate End Titles (3.30)
* Composed by Richard Wagner
** Composed by Carl Orff
Total Length: 65.52
Whatever you do, don't assume Excalibur is something like Merlin. Merlin first of all was scored almost 17 years later, and at that time we all knew what Jones could deliver of theme alone. Excalibur is more the dominating mood setter. Because the most important pieces are actually not from Jones, but from classical (well known) concert works. "Theme from Excalibur" and "The Death of Arthur" are pieces of The Flying Dutchman of Richard Wagner, "Percival" is the version of the opera of Lohengrin if I'm not mistaken and who doesn't know the famous start of Carmina Burana in "The Siege of Camylarde".
This is the big difference with many other scores, because here the classical music was given the opportunity to shine through most of the important scenes, while giving Jones the underscore to tie it all together. So expect dances and serenades from Jones, and ultimately this leads to a Jones we haven't heard much before.
The dark magical force in "Merlin's Spell", the playful tones in "Igrayne's Dance" and "A Dance at the Court of King Arthur", all give us a wider look of the time and place. And if you wonder what Trevor Jones' theme is, well I find it to be rather good. First briefly spotted in "Mordred's Lair", later developed in "The Land and the King", "Alternate Theme" and "Alternate End Titles", this is a good enough theme to be sure.
Sadly, for most of you, this isn't what you were hoping for. So please don't expect big rousing themes. He as the composer had to set the mood down, not the emotion. The classical music by then will either turn you off, or excite you all the more. Excalibur as an album isn't one I frequently play, hell I rarely have. But it nonetheless gave me a glimpse of the Trevor Jones that was just starting to make a name for himself. And considering the epic name and effect a tale like Excalibur possesses, I'm sure Jones was thrilled with the opportunity and outcome.
Tracklisting
1. Theme From 'Excalibur' * (2.49)
2. Igrayne's Dance (2.07)
3. Merlin's Spell (3.14)
4. The Siege of Camylarde ** (2.36) Excellent track
5. A Dance at the Court of King Arthur (1.17)
6. The Lady of the Lake (1.32)
7. Lancelot and Guinevere * (10.33)
8. The Wedding (1.05)
9. Camelot (3.26)
10. Knights of the Round Table (0.41)
11. A Challenge to Honour (3.04)
12. Quest for the Holy Grail (3.56)
13. Mordred's Lair (1.49)
14. Percival * (11.50)
15. The Land and the King (4.10)
16. The Death of Arthur * (6.37)
17. Alternate Theme (1.28)
18. Alternate End Titles (3.30)
* Composed by Richard Wagner
** Composed by Carl Orff
Total Length: 65.52