The Secret of the Nile
Amine Bouhafa
" The overall sound of the score consists of traditional orchestral music, with emphasis on the strings section and also includes piano, harp, accordion and woodwinds. "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the download only release
Ever since the musical world of composer Amine Bouhafa opened up to me with the brilliant score to Timbuktu in 2014, expectations were significantly raised for future projects. It's a rare thing to realize that with each new musical adventure his talent was acknowledged, time after time, and I am beginning to feel he is closing in onto some of the greatest composer actively working today. While he is still just 32, his relatively short resume is almost more exemplary than the overall resume of some of the most admirable composers I could think of. I was greatly impressed by music to series such as Cabal Al Halal, Al Sayeda AL Aoula: First Lady, his score to the film Aala Kaf Ifrit, while delivering hugely inspirational symphonic and ballet music.
The official music release of the Egyptian series The Secret of the Nile (Grand Hotel) is just his fourth one, following Timbuktu, Score of Orient and Aala Kaf Ifrit (La Belle et la Meute). It’s a digital release that runs for about 30 minutes and features music from the 2016 series, which includes 30 episodes of half an hour. The Secret of the Nile tells the story of a young man infiltrating a luxurious hotel to investigate the disappearance of his younger sister.
The overall sound of the score consists of traditional orchestral music, with emphasis on the strings section and also includes piano, harp, accordion and woodwinds. In that sense, it is quite different from his more regular crossover with oriental instruments for other projects. Bouhafa 's music is written in the classic scoring approach, which is so strongly evident in the opening cue. It's a familiar approach, with driving strings on the background supporting a lovely melody for cello, occasionally joined by the accordion and other solo instruments. It carries a significant amount of flair and freshness, while also having a sense of intrigue and seductiveness that summarizes what is to come. It really is absolutely movin,g and its variable feelings are augmented throughout the rest of the score, either in different takes on the main title, or in the similarly aesthetically moving waltz in The Dinner Party. The rest of the music consists of some suspense music, atmospheric moments (including portions of minimalism) and some fine melodramatic moments.
One minor drawback of the score is are the moments that the music sounds somewhat familiar and inevitably will bring back memories of the works of other composers. And yet, due to the fact that Bouhafa's own voice is ever so present throughout, and it features first class material, it takes little time to get accustomed, and fully embrace the overall greatness.
Tracklist
1. The Secret of the Nile (main title) 3:43
2. The Love Story 2:54
3. He Is Gone 4:56
4. The Dinner Party 2:01
5. Conspiracy 2:02
6. The Murder 2:08
7. The Boat Adventure 2:23
8. Mysterious Light 1:30
9. The Maid Story 2:32
10. Sisters Argument 1:26
11. The Seducer 2:10
12. The Sister's Story 1:58
13. The Secret 1:57
Total: 31:40
The official music release of the Egyptian series The Secret of the Nile (Grand Hotel) is just his fourth one, following Timbuktu, Score of Orient and Aala Kaf Ifrit (La Belle et la Meute). It’s a digital release that runs for about 30 minutes and features music from the 2016 series, which includes 30 episodes of half an hour. The Secret of the Nile tells the story of a young man infiltrating a luxurious hotel to investigate the disappearance of his younger sister.
The overall sound of the score consists of traditional orchestral music, with emphasis on the strings section and also includes piano, harp, accordion and woodwinds. In that sense, it is quite different from his more regular crossover with oriental instruments for other projects. Bouhafa 's music is written in the classic scoring approach, which is so strongly evident in the opening cue. It's a familiar approach, with driving strings on the background supporting a lovely melody for cello, occasionally joined by the accordion and other solo instruments. It carries a significant amount of flair and freshness, while also having a sense of intrigue and seductiveness that summarizes what is to come. It really is absolutely movin,g and its variable feelings are augmented throughout the rest of the score, either in different takes on the main title, or in the similarly aesthetically moving waltz in The Dinner Party. The rest of the music consists of some suspense music, atmospheric moments (including portions of minimalism) and some fine melodramatic moments.
One minor drawback of the score is are the moments that the music sounds somewhat familiar and inevitably will bring back memories of the works of other composers. And yet, due to the fact that Bouhafa's own voice is ever so present throughout, and it features first class material, it takes little time to get accustomed, and fully embrace the overall greatness.
Tracklist
1. The Secret of the Nile (main title) 3:43
2. The Love Story 2:54
3. He Is Gone 4:56
4. The Dinner Party 2:01
5. Conspiracy 2:02
6. The Murder 2:08
7. The Boat Adventure 2:23
8. Mysterious Light 1:30
9. The Maid Story 2:32
10. Sisters Argument 1:26
11. The Seducer 2:10
12. The Sister's Story 1:58
13. The Secret 1:57
Total: 31:40