The Affair of the Necklace
David Newman
" The Affair of the Necklace is an excellent periodic piece of music "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
When will the world realize that some composers are simply better than some projects appear to present? A name that keeps haunting in my mind when I say this is the one of David Newman. Randy, Thomas and the late Alfred have all made it their business on putting the stamp upon their style but David seems to miss the opportunity to do it on a successful (read non comical) movie once and a while. And while The Affair of the Necklace isn't perhaps a successful attempt, it at least starred one of the leading ladies of today namely Hilary Swank. And hell yeah does David Newman show what he can do on movies that bring a deeper meaning than for instance Daddy Day Care humour.
David Newman always had a certain style that I found intriguing to hear. And The Affair of the Necklace is presenting that style in such a unique manner. David Newman's musical style, combined with interesting usage of periodic music and amazing vocal work is just enough to bless this score from the start. Even more, it shows what on earth David Newman possesses of musical potential.
The score from Varèse Sarabande was one of the first scores that used the Studio Symphony, making sure around that time that the soundtrack release could pass the 30 minute marker of music. Now it feels the music must get back to that 30 minute marker, considering sometimes the mammoth length of several scores. Nonetheless David's combination of his personal sound (piano) and impressive new age vocals makes everything so musically inspiring that you don't quibble about the length at all.
The first track already states David Newman beginning where Thomas (sadly for fans) left off, with an inspiring piece of piano work. Nonetheless, this sound is repeated better in "Jeanne's Theme", holding the first statement of the main theme. This theme is broadened with style in "Jeanne is Found Guilty" when both a vocal and choral depth is added to the inspiring theme.
The theme is cleverly used in variations, for instance with a harp version during track 6 that works marvelously during its periodic setting. One of the first highlights and different musical tracks is "Rohan's Arrest", which uses Bram Stoker's Dracula's building tension and vocal work, making the track even better.
Still, most people will go crazy over examples such as "In Court / Childhood". It's not only a combination of various instrumentation but it also showcases the unique combination of vocals, with the Alanis Morissette (as some have already claimed it to be) backings on the forefront. And the more you count them, the more the choral mass start to present itself. Anastasia like wonder in "Feast of the Assumption", Galaxy Quest pride in "Going Home" or inspiring in the duo piece "Antoinette is Finished" and "Arrival of the Necklace".
The last tracks run a bit short and finish the album somewhat unsatisfied, but the mere sound of David Newman's writing surpasses this quibble easily nonetheless.
It is time that some stop reaffirming him as just the comedic movie composer. Because those silly little things don't show his potential, The Affair of the Necklace however does. The whole score might be baroque-esque influenced and the various instruments from that time might make it less enjoyable. But it is still the own voice that dominates the show and luckily David Newman's music contains probably some of the best ideas of his entire career. This is such a score that doesn't has fierce action music, or amazing top highlights but just inspired musical magic from start to finish. Meaning The Affair of the Necklace is an excellent periodic piece of music.
Tracklisting
1. Opening (1.10)
2. Jeanne's Theme (1.01)
3. Bohmer (0.51)
4. Jeanne is Found Guilty (2.56) Excellent track
5. Jeanne & Retaux (0.40)
6. Jeanne's Plan (1.03)
7. Rohan's Arrest (3.12) Excellent track
8. In Court / Childhood (3.48) Excellent track
9. Minister of Titles / On the Lake (4.37)
10. Jeanne & Retaux Love Scene (1.13)
11. Feast of the Assumption (1.26)
12. Going to Meet Antoinette (1.15)
13. Communion (2.06)
14. Rohan Meets With Fake Antoinette (2.59)
15. Courtroom / Cagliostro Leaves Town (2.51)
16. Going Home (3.18) Excellent track
17. Jeanne's Sentence / Antoinette (2.28)
18. Antoinette is Finished (0.37)
19. Arrival of the Necklace * (0.32)
20. Jeanne & Retaux's Plan (0.42)
21. Jeanne Reads her Memories (1.18)
* Handel Coronation Anthem No. 4 "Let Thy Hand be Strengthened"
Total Length: 41.11
David Newman always had a certain style that I found intriguing to hear. And The Affair of the Necklace is presenting that style in such a unique manner. David Newman's musical style, combined with interesting usage of periodic music and amazing vocal work is just enough to bless this score from the start. Even more, it shows what on earth David Newman possesses of musical potential.
The score from Varèse Sarabande was one of the first scores that used the Studio Symphony, making sure around that time that the soundtrack release could pass the 30 minute marker of music. Now it feels the music must get back to that 30 minute marker, considering sometimes the mammoth length of several scores. Nonetheless David's combination of his personal sound (piano) and impressive new age vocals makes everything so musically inspiring that you don't quibble about the length at all.
The first track already states David Newman beginning where Thomas (sadly for fans) left off, with an inspiring piece of piano work. Nonetheless, this sound is repeated better in "Jeanne's Theme", holding the first statement of the main theme. This theme is broadened with style in "Jeanne is Found Guilty" when both a vocal and choral depth is added to the inspiring theme.
The theme is cleverly used in variations, for instance with a harp version during track 6 that works marvelously during its periodic setting. One of the first highlights and different musical tracks is "Rohan's Arrest", which uses Bram Stoker's Dracula's building tension and vocal work, making the track even better.
Still, most people will go crazy over examples such as "In Court / Childhood". It's not only a combination of various instrumentation but it also showcases the unique combination of vocals, with the Alanis Morissette (as some have already claimed it to be) backings on the forefront. And the more you count them, the more the choral mass start to present itself. Anastasia like wonder in "Feast of the Assumption", Galaxy Quest pride in "Going Home" or inspiring in the duo piece "Antoinette is Finished" and "Arrival of the Necklace".
The last tracks run a bit short and finish the album somewhat unsatisfied, but the mere sound of David Newman's writing surpasses this quibble easily nonetheless.
It is time that some stop reaffirming him as just the comedic movie composer. Because those silly little things don't show his potential, The Affair of the Necklace however does. The whole score might be baroque-esque influenced and the various instruments from that time might make it less enjoyable. But it is still the own voice that dominates the show and luckily David Newman's music contains probably some of the best ideas of his entire career. This is such a score that doesn't has fierce action music, or amazing top highlights but just inspired musical magic from start to finish. Meaning The Affair of the Necklace is an excellent periodic piece of music.
Tracklisting
1. Opening (1.10)
2. Jeanne's Theme (1.01)
3. Bohmer (0.51)
4. Jeanne is Found Guilty (2.56) Excellent track
5. Jeanne & Retaux (0.40)
6. Jeanne's Plan (1.03)
7. Rohan's Arrest (3.12) Excellent track
8. In Court / Childhood (3.48) Excellent track
9. Minister of Titles / On the Lake (4.37)
10. Jeanne & Retaux Love Scene (1.13)
11. Feast of the Assumption (1.26)
12. Going to Meet Antoinette (1.15)
13. Communion (2.06)
14. Rohan Meets With Fake Antoinette (2.59)
15. Courtroom / Cagliostro Leaves Town (2.51)
16. Going Home (3.18) Excellent track
17. Jeanne's Sentence / Antoinette (2.28)
18. Antoinette is Finished (0.37)
19. Arrival of the Necklace * (0.32)
20. Jeanne & Retaux's Plan (0.42)
21. Jeanne Reads her Memories (1.18)
* Handel Coronation Anthem No. 4 "Let Thy Hand be Strengthened"
Total Length: 41.11