Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom
Jasha Klebe
" Powerful documentary music "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Composer Jasha Klebe is one of the final descendants of Remote Control Produtions, a place where dreams come to life under the careful watch of Hans Zimmer. Earning him additional writing opportunities on such projects as Rush, The Lone Ranger and Captain Philips. But Winter on Fire (a documentary about the unrest in Ukraine during 2013 and 2014, as student demonstrations supporting European integration grew into a violent revolution) can be considered as his first true solo opportunity. And we may have said it about numerous pupils of Hans Zimmer's Remote Control before, but if this is a sign about the future of Jasha Klebe, things are looking quite brightly for him and for us.
Opening quite moody with "Opening Titles", your ear doesn't fall yet on the violin immediately. But that will change. The solo performances are a raging force throughout this entire experience, a rage that will become more dominant and powerful with each successive moment. In "St. Michael's Golden-Doomed Monastery" it shows its first beauty and hope, in "March of Millions" the main theme (main march) is beginning to grow carefully but determent. A strength that gets a beautiful meaning in "Building the Barricades" (even though you'll get The Thin Red Line feelings for sure) and "Dictatorship Leaglized". But as a population grows in numbers, so do the strings that support them. "Peaceful Rally to Parliament" is beautiful, but the final 2 tracks deliver all the power to which this movement, this musical movement was building to. The theme and all the power anthems, it's all unleashed with beautiful solo versions of the violin. As the voice of the people can finally be unleashed. Absolutely marvelous.
Of course the influences of working under and alongside Hans Zimmer get noticed throughout this score. "The Berkut" with its dominant The Dark Knight tone, and as said before The Thin Red Line influence that pops up in several moments. And the action based music ("Bankova Street Attack", "The Titushky") shows its relentless power too. But it's the emotional voice behind this documentary that's enhanced by the power of the music. The violins especially go through bone and marrow. Documentaries might always be powerful in one way or another, I often found the music a bit underwhelming. But this is one such example where the music will elevate the scenes on screen. A Netflix documentary, Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom is a small but potent experience that has one incredible finale. Recommended for those moments alone.
Track Listing
1. Opening Titles (1.53)
2. Gathering at Maidan (2.03)
3. The Berkut (1.56)
4. St. Michael's Golden-Doomed Monastery (1.11)
5. March of Millions (4.00)
6. Bankova Street Attack (2.03)
7. Building the Barricades (3.20)
8. Dictatorship Legalized (3.08)
9. The Titushky (2.21)
10. Peaceful Rally to Parliament (1.56)
11. Retreat to Maidan (2.58)
12. Trade Union House Fire (2.42)
13. Sniper Attacks (2.30)
14. Glory to Ukrane, Glory to the Heroes (3.54) Excellent track
15. End Titles (4.02) Excellent track
Total Length: 39.57
Opening quite moody with "Opening Titles", your ear doesn't fall yet on the violin immediately. But that will change. The solo performances are a raging force throughout this entire experience, a rage that will become more dominant and powerful with each successive moment. In "St. Michael's Golden-Doomed Monastery" it shows its first beauty and hope, in "March of Millions" the main theme (main march) is beginning to grow carefully but determent. A strength that gets a beautiful meaning in "Building the Barricades" (even though you'll get The Thin Red Line feelings for sure) and "Dictatorship Leaglized". But as a population grows in numbers, so do the strings that support them. "Peaceful Rally to Parliament" is beautiful, but the final 2 tracks deliver all the power to which this movement, this musical movement was building to. The theme and all the power anthems, it's all unleashed with beautiful solo versions of the violin. As the voice of the people can finally be unleashed. Absolutely marvelous.
Of course the influences of working under and alongside Hans Zimmer get noticed throughout this score. "The Berkut" with its dominant The Dark Knight tone, and as said before The Thin Red Line influence that pops up in several moments. And the action based music ("Bankova Street Attack", "The Titushky") shows its relentless power too. But it's the emotional voice behind this documentary that's enhanced by the power of the music. The violins especially go through bone and marrow. Documentaries might always be powerful in one way or another, I often found the music a bit underwhelming. But this is one such example where the music will elevate the scenes on screen. A Netflix documentary, Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom is a small but potent experience that has one incredible finale. Recommended for those moments alone.
Track Listing
1. Opening Titles (1.53)
2. Gathering at Maidan (2.03)
3. The Berkut (1.56)
4. St. Michael's Golden-Doomed Monastery (1.11)
5. March of Millions (4.00)
6. Bankova Street Attack (2.03)
7. Building the Barricades (3.20)
8. Dictatorship Legalized (3.08)
9. The Titushky (2.21)
10. Peaceful Rally to Parliament (1.56)
11. Retreat to Maidan (2.58)
12. Trade Union House Fire (2.42)
13. Sniper Attacks (2.30)
14. Glory to Ukrane, Glory to the Heroes (3.54) Excellent track
15. End Titles (4.02) Excellent track
Total Length: 39.57