Haevnen
Johan Söderqvist
" The score is an overall subdued work fusing the harmonic strings and unique samples with the African sound of the array mbira "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the regular release
In 1991, Johan Söderqvist wrote the music for Susanne Bier's Freud Flyttar Hemifrån (Freud's Leaving Home). This was the beginning of a successful career for both of them, and they have collaborated ever since. Hævnen (In a Better World) is their newest labour of love. More than anything else, the film is about what we perceive as being right and wrong. It looks at the differences between pacifism, revenge and forgiveness. The drama unfolds between two families, transitioning between Sudan and Denmark.
The score by Söderqvist makes use of the dramatic, warm string writing and music samples that listeners may have heard in a variety of others works, such as Efter Brylluppet (After the Wedding). But the instrument that really defines the score is the African array mbira. The original instrument comes from Zimbabwe and can be described as a thumb piano or a plucked idiophone. Yet this array mbira is an improved version with a much purer sound, produced in North America. It produces an intimate sound that resembles bell glass. The composer stumbled upon the instrument in search of the sound for his score to the Rwanda documentary Earth Made of Glass. Coincidentally, Bier called him some time later to talk about Hævnen and because he loved the instrument so much, he suggested using it for this film as well. You can hear the instrument throughout the Hævnen score, setting the mood and serving as a rhythmical tool.
The score is an overall subdued work fusing the harmonic strings and unique samples with the African sound of the array mbira. A great part can be described as low-key atmospheric music, creating an unsettling and compelling mood that one can easily entrust to a fine composer as Söderqvist. You can also hear a few beautiful vocal passages, ranging from Kurdish mourning to a countertenor to a reconciling African voice. This last one is a contribution by Richard Sseruwagi, whose voice was also featured in the score to Earth Made of Glass. These two scores have much in common, but Earth Made of Glass is even more minimal in its approach.
Hævnen is another impressive score by Swedish composer Johan Söderqvist. The release by Movie score media includes some photos of the making of the score and an informative interview with the composer. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting
1. In a Better World: Main Title (1.57)
2. Marianne (0.52)
3. Anton's Alone (0.57)
4. Trying to Save Her (1.26)
5. To Denmark (2.23)
6. The Idiot (1.20)
7. Anton Swims (1.19)
8. In the Field (2.06)
9. Flying Kite (1.19)
10. The Fireworks (1.43)
11. After the Call (0.48)
12. To Homecamp (1.09)
13. Dawning (2.24)
14. Big Man (2.47)
15. Let's Do It (1.46)
16. Elias Says No (1.41)
17. On the Silo (0.44)
18. The Bomb (3.06)
19. The Revenge (2.07)
20. We'll Know Tomorrow (0.53)
21. Christian Disappears (6.07)
22. In a Better World: End Title (6.27)
23. Epilogue (1.51)
Total Length: 47.12
(Jan 2nd 2011
The score by Söderqvist makes use of the dramatic, warm string writing and music samples that listeners may have heard in a variety of others works, such as Efter Brylluppet (After the Wedding). But the instrument that really defines the score is the African array mbira. The original instrument comes from Zimbabwe and can be described as a thumb piano or a plucked idiophone. Yet this array mbira is an improved version with a much purer sound, produced in North America. It produces an intimate sound that resembles bell glass. The composer stumbled upon the instrument in search of the sound for his score to the Rwanda documentary Earth Made of Glass. Coincidentally, Bier called him some time later to talk about Hævnen and because he loved the instrument so much, he suggested using it for this film as well. You can hear the instrument throughout the Hævnen score, setting the mood and serving as a rhythmical tool.
The score is an overall subdued work fusing the harmonic strings and unique samples with the African sound of the array mbira. A great part can be described as low-key atmospheric music, creating an unsettling and compelling mood that one can easily entrust to a fine composer as Söderqvist. You can also hear a few beautiful vocal passages, ranging from Kurdish mourning to a countertenor to a reconciling African voice. This last one is a contribution by Richard Sseruwagi, whose voice was also featured in the score to Earth Made of Glass. These two scores have much in common, but Earth Made of Glass is even more minimal in its approach.
Hævnen is another impressive score by Swedish composer Johan Söderqvist. The release by Movie score media includes some photos of the making of the score and an informative interview with the composer. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting
1. In a Better World: Main Title (1.57)
2. Marianne (0.52)
3. Anton's Alone (0.57)
4. Trying to Save Her (1.26)
5. To Denmark (2.23)
6. The Idiot (1.20)
7. Anton Swims (1.19)
8. In the Field (2.06)
9. Flying Kite (1.19)
10. The Fireworks (1.43)
11. After the Call (0.48)
12. To Homecamp (1.09)
13. Dawning (2.24)
14. Big Man (2.47)
15. Let's Do It (1.46)
16. Elias Says No (1.41)
17. On the Silo (0.44)
18. The Bomb (3.06)
19. The Revenge (2.07)
20. We'll Know Tomorrow (0.53)
21. Christian Disappears (6.07)
22. In a Better World: End Title (6.27)
23. Epilogue (1.51)
Total Length: 47.12
(Jan 2nd 2011