The Secret of Moonacre
Christian Henson
" Recommended this little gem is "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
The Secret of Moonacre is a film adaptation of the novel The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. It stars Dakota Blue Richards in the lead role as Maria. When her father dies, she is forced to live with Sir Benjamin, an eccentric uncle she didn't know she had, at the mysterious Moonacre Manor. Soon Maria finds herself in a crumbling moonlit world torn apart by the hatred of an ancient feud with the dark and sinister De Noir family. Maria discovers that she is the last Moon Princess and, guided by an unlikely mix of allies, she must overcome her family's pride in order to unearth the secrets of the past before the 5000th moon rises and Moonacre disappears into the sea forever. This all comes from the hand of Gabor Csupo, who also directed the praised Bridge to Terabithia.
Considering this, you could be disappointed with the fact Bridge to Terabithia composer Aaron Zigman doesn't return. Whether time restraints or a choice of renewal had something to do with it we don't know. It however gave us the opportunity to experience the musical talent of Christian Henson, a young composer from London who's biography is more filled up then one might think.
However, for many this will be the first experience they'll get at hearing the man's work. And MovieScore Media is of course to thank for this. Their presentation of a magical story naturally demanded a magical score. And if you aren't intrigued now, you'll never be. Magical is surely the word to use once we open with "Opening Titles". The mysterious rise of the main theme with light choir surely puts us in the right mood.
The first appearance of any action material doesn't wait long. In "Robin Attacks / Arrival at Moonacre" a brief uprising is heard of this. But it is the main theme that gets appearances in "Into the Book", alongside a tantalizing vocal that we enjoy more. And from here on the fresh voice of Henson starts to pay off. In the sprightly "Marmaduke Scarlet" the flutes, bells and strings will show you something as good as The Golden Compass.
The light choir of "Maria's Room", the attacking music that reveals a level of instrumental inventiveness in "Into the Forest", the main theme and darker urgent epic quality of "The Moonacre Curse", the unnerving violent "The 5,000th Moon", the lovely piano and cello in "I'm Glad That you're Back" or the unnerving flutes and dangerous brass of "Maria is Captured, almost every track holds an arsenal of clever instrumentation, ingenious little ideas or wonderful blushes of thematic excellence. If you want to give it the time to let it grow on you.
The flutes, the solo vocal, the cello performing the theme in "The Two Moon Princess" is surely captivating enough, the mysterious flutes and the violent nature in "Maria Escapes" is surely reminding you of Karpman's music of Taken instead.
The piano and solo violin in "Apology Tango", the angry suspense in "Robin and Wrolf are Captured", it all gets an encore in "Little White Horse Leads On / Chase Through the Forest". The on edge qualities that the orchestra brings, the mysterious solo vocal surrounding it, it all unleashes a final minute of small importance.
The menacing "Back Where it all Began" aside, the ending is nothing short of magical. The emotional pairing of the vocal and violin in "Maria's Sacrifice", the rise of percussion leading to a vocal finish in "Sea Horses" and a main theme finish par excellence in the magical explosive "All Well That End's Well".
The Secret of Moonacre is a score you'll grow to love. While perhaps a bit long, Christian Henson has given it a fresh approach and a plethora of instrumental twists that keep it interesting and demanding. I always love it when unheard composers receive the chance to do something bold and fresh. Don't consider this on the big level of Stardust or most of the fantasy scores you've heard. For that it is too light at times. But it is in the smaller and the bigger moments The Secret of Moonacre shows you why it is still a damn fine listening experience. Recommended this little gem is.
Tracklisting
1. Opening Titles (2.30)
2. The Journey to Moonacre (1.51)
3. Robbin Attacks / Arrival at Moonacre (0.59)
4. Into the Book (3.45)
5. Marmaduke Scarlet (2.10)
6. Maria's Room (1.30)
7. Into the Forest (2.19)
8. The Moonacre Curse (3.08) Excellent track
9. Milk and Coockies (1.19)
10. Running from Moonacre / Loveday (1.40)
11. The 5,000th Moon (2.40)
12. I'm Glad That you're Back (0.52)
13. Maria is Captured (4.45)
14. The Two Moon Princess (1.36)
15. Maria Escapes (5.12)
16. Apology Tango (1.26)
17. Setting the Bait (1.32)
18. The Search Begins (2.04)
19. Robin and Wrolf are Captured (1.40)
20. Little White Horse Leads On / Chase Through the Forest (5.54)
21. Back Where it all Began (1.39)
22. Maria's Sacrifice (2.06) Excellent track
23. Sea Horses (2.25) Excellent track
24. Love Waltz (2.19)
25. All Well That End's Well (4.13) Excellent track
26. Stars: Skye (2.56)
Total Length: 64.40
Considering this, you could be disappointed with the fact Bridge to Terabithia composer Aaron Zigman doesn't return. Whether time restraints or a choice of renewal had something to do with it we don't know. It however gave us the opportunity to experience the musical talent of Christian Henson, a young composer from London who's biography is more filled up then one might think.
However, for many this will be the first experience they'll get at hearing the man's work. And MovieScore Media is of course to thank for this. Their presentation of a magical story naturally demanded a magical score. And if you aren't intrigued now, you'll never be. Magical is surely the word to use once we open with "Opening Titles". The mysterious rise of the main theme with light choir surely puts us in the right mood.
The first appearance of any action material doesn't wait long. In "Robin Attacks / Arrival at Moonacre" a brief uprising is heard of this. But it is the main theme that gets appearances in "Into the Book", alongside a tantalizing vocal that we enjoy more. And from here on the fresh voice of Henson starts to pay off. In the sprightly "Marmaduke Scarlet" the flutes, bells and strings will show you something as good as The Golden Compass.
The light choir of "Maria's Room", the attacking music that reveals a level of instrumental inventiveness in "Into the Forest", the main theme and darker urgent epic quality of "The Moonacre Curse", the unnerving violent "The 5,000th Moon", the lovely piano and cello in "I'm Glad That you're Back" or the unnerving flutes and dangerous brass of "Maria is Captured, almost every track holds an arsenal of clever instrumentation, ingenious little ideas or wonderful blushes of thematic excellence. If you want to give it the time to let it grow on you.
The flutes, the solo vocal, the cello performing the theme in "The Two Moon Princess" is surely captivating enough, the mysterious flutes and the violent nature in "Maria Escapes" is surely reminding you of Karpman's music of Taken instead.
The piano and solo violin in "Apology Tango", the angry suspense in "Robin and Wrolf are Captured", it all gets an encore in "Little White Horse Leads On / Chase Through the Forest". The on edge qualities that the orchestra brings, the mysterious solo vocal surrounding it, it all unleashes a final minute of small importance.
The menacing "Back Where it all Began" aside, the ending is nothing short of magical. The emotional pairing of the vocal and violin in "Maria's Sacrifice", the rise of percussion leading to a vocal finish in "Sea Horses" and a main theme finish par excellence in the magical explosive "All Well That End's Well".
The Secret of Moonacre is a score you'll grow to love. While perhaps a bit long, Christian Henson has given it a fresh approach and a plethora of instrumental twists that keep it interesting and demanding. I always love it when unheard composers receive the chance to do something bold and fresh. Don't consider this on the big level of Stardust or most of the fantasy scores you've heard. For that it is too light at times. But it is in the smaller and the bigger moments The Secret of Moonacre shows you why it is still a damn fine listening experience. Recommended this little gem is.
Tracklisting
1. Opening Titles (2.30)
2. The Journey to Moonacre (1.51)
3. Robbin Attacks / Arrival at Moonacre (0.59)
4. Into the Book (3.45)
5. Marmaduke Scarlet (2.10)
6. Maria's Room (1.30)
7. Into the Forest (2.19)
8. The Moonacre Curse (3.08) Excellent track
9. Milk and Coockies (1.19)
10. Running from Moonacre / Loveday (1.40)
11. The 5,000th Moon (2.40)
12. I'm Glad That you're Back (0.52)
13. Maria is Captured (4.45)
14. The Two Moon Princess (1.36)
15. Maria Escapes (5.12)
16. Apology Tango (1.26)
17. Setting the Bait (1.32)
18. The Search Begins (2.04)
19. Robin and Wrolf are Captured (1.40)
20. Little White Horse Leads On / Chase Through the Forest (5.54)
21. Back Where it all Began (1.39)
22. Maria's Sacrifice (2.06) Excellent track
23. Sea Horses (2.25) Excellent track
24. Love Waltz (2.19)
25. All Well That End's Well (4.13) Excellent track
26. Stars: Skye (2.56)
Total Length: 64.40