Gagarin: First in Space
George Kallis
" Kallis & Space, a combination that works "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Space! The first frontier! These voyages have inspired mankind since the early 1960's, but today they feel like the most normal thing on earth. Yet in the early 60's, the Russians and the Americans were battling each other to jet the first human into space, a race the Russians won when Yuri Gagarin completed the first journey around the earth into space, this on April 12 1961. This inspiring tale has equally inspired composer George Kallis to compose a moving score for the dramatic biography Gagarin: First in Space. Composer George Kallis captured my attention years ago firmly when he composed a strong and entertaining score for Highlander: The Source in 2007. And in between those years, short films and documentaries kept his work firmly hidden from the outer world. That is until MovieScore Media (logically) made us aware of his talent once again.
The score has several highlights, moments that show wonder and awe when Gagarin enters and leaves space. These moments are the real gems of the score, offering epic music for orchestra and choir. Especially "The Launch of Vostok" is a keeper with its choral eruption and the enchanting vocals that follow the launch. The final track "Glory" re captures that spirit most impressively, again using the choir. And in between we get lots of examples of emotional soothing material ("Discussions", "Cosmos", "Father") and enchanting music ("Earth from Above", "Levity"). This combination truly works, offering a sound that will definitely enlighten the visuals on screen. But on disc the abrupt development of these cues doesn't always deliver the necessary climax. Sometimes you just wish these cues would continue to build on what they started.
That's perhaps the only negative I can say about Gagarin: First in Space. Most of the cues are rather short, or lack perhaps the conclusion of the build up they deliver. It's no surprise the highlights are the longer tracks of the disc, and even during 2 minute tracks we often get only 50% of the development by which I rate the cue. Because what we get is often extremely inspiring music, with a dash of excitement (the 56 second "The Tumbling") or playful bounciness in "People in the Streets" as bonuses. Kallis once again delivers an experience that's worth checking out, most definitely because of the awesome Russian sounding chorals that enlighten this adventure from start to finish.
Favorite Moment - The Launch of Vostok (2.11 - 2.26)
This entire track is a massive highlight, but the explosion of the choir remains the absolute triumph
Track Listing
1. The Night Before (1.04)
2. Vostok (2.10)
3. Yuri and Valentina (2.30)
4. Goodbye Brothers (1.56)
5. The Launch of Vostok (4.06) Excellent track
6. Earth from Above (1.56)
7. Good News (2.05)
8. Levity (2.04) Excellent track
9. Command Headquarters (1.10)
10. Discussions (1.30)
11. The Hanging (1.49)
12. Cosmos (3.48)
13. Goodbyes (2.12)
14. Vostok in Space (2.40)
15. The Tumble (0.56)
16. Remember Me in Prayer (2.48)
17. People in the Streets (2.54)
18. Father (1.54)
19. Falling and Remembering (1.49)
20. Orange Parachute (4.08)
21. Glory (3.10) Excellent track
Total Length: 48.39
The score has several highlights, moments that show wonder and awe when Gagarin enters and leaves space. These moments are the real gems of the score, offering epic music for orchestra and choir. Especially "The Launch of Vostok" is a keeper with its choral eruption and the enchanting vocals that follow the launch. The final track "Glory" re captures that spirit most impressively, again using the choir. And in between we get lots of examples of emotional soothing material ("Discussions", "Cosmos", "Father") and enchanting music ("Earth from Above", "Levity"). This combination truly works, offering a sound that will definitely enlighten the visuals on screen. But on disc the abrupt development of these cues doesn't always deliver the necessary climax. Sometimes you just wish these cues would continue to build on what they started.
That's perhaps the only negative I can say about Gagarin: First in Space. Most of the cues are rather short, or lack perhaps the conclusion of the build up they deliver. It's no surprise the highlights are the longer tracks of the disc, and even during 2 minute tracks we often get only 50% of the development by which I rate the cue. Because what we get is often extremely inspiring music, with a dash of excitement (the 56 second "The Tumbling") or playful bounciness in "People in the Streets" as bonuses. Kallis once again delivers an experience that's worth checking out, most definitely because of the awesome Russian sounding chorals that enlighten this adventure from start to finish.
Favorite Moment - The Launch of Vostok (2.11 - 2.26)
This entire track is a massive highlight, but the explosion of the choir remains the absolute triumph
Track Listing
1. The Night Before (1.04)
2. Vostok (2.10)
3. Yuri and Valentina (2.30)
4. Goodbye Brothers (1.56)
5. The Launch of Vostok (4.06) Excellent track
6. Earth from Above (1.56)
7. Good News (2.05)
8. Levity (2.04) Excellent track
9. Command Headquarters (1.10)
10. Discussions (1.30)
11. The Hanging (1.49)
12. Cosmos (3.48)
13. Goodbyes (2.12)
14. Vostok in Space (2.40)
15. The Tumble (0.56)
16. Remember Me in Prayer (2.48)
17. People in the Streets (2.54)
18. Father (1.54)
19. Falling and Remembering (1.49)
20. Orange Parachute (4.08)
21. Glory (3.10) Excellent track
Total Length: 48.39