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Defiance (James Newton Howard)



I´ve had this one for weeks but didn´t find the appropriate moment. Impressive effort I have to say. Thematically rich, melodic, great violin solos (but NOT over the top, a thing I have to admit I was scared about) specially in the main theme.
I haven´t watched the film, so I don´t know how it fits the visuals (knowing Zwick´s filmography I assume it fits like a glove), but I´m pretty sure it is a score that never goes beyond the images but increases its dramatic effect. A(nother) winner from Newton Howard; he has composed two of my favs of 2008: I Am Legend and Defiance.

Viewing this I don't hear music at 1:09-1:10. But there is a familiar 1-2 second clip at 00:50-1:00 - that sounds like something from Elfman's Batman.

NP - "Nouvelle Vagues" - Traffic quintet

This fairly unkown album features a series of free transcriptions for string quintet, including music from french films made during the "new art" movement starting in the middle of the previous century. The transcriptions are in the hand of Alexandre Desplat, who also composed the actual score for three of the album selections. The quintet also interprets several scores by Georges Delerue, and one by Ennio Morricone.

The performances are passionate and extremely good, but in my opinion overshadowed by the quality of the transcriptions themselves. Desplat's work is shockingly good, and places a tremendous emphasis on a concern for the very essence of "chamber music": much like John Williams, his main ideology when arranging is that the performers should interact with one another. It is through the responding to one anothers musicality that a performance can become special, and it is a composers responsibility to allow such interactions to take place. This concern for the foundating principle of chamber music is lost in most of the contempory music produced today, and likewise in film scores. That is part of what makes Desplat such a unique voice in the industry.

My favourite selection so far is "Le Mépris" by Georges Delerue, which opens with a fantastic combination of different playing techniques including pizzicato, open strings, and a spectacular harmonic effect combined with "sul ponticello" (for those who know what that means).

Thanks to Tom who introduced me to this amazing album!

I think what you are saying is very likely. Since Williams was also a notable pianist (both jazz and classical) and a great accompanist, his love for spontaneity has probably greatly affected his work as a composer. I think I can recall him speaking about this briefly in the "Empire Strikes Back" documentary.

NP: Princess Mononoke: Symphonic Suite (Joe Hisaishi)

This is a very good album, that is maybe not that well known, but for fans of melodic dramatic and rhythmic driven music you could do a lot worse. I only have this and Laputa: Castle in the Sky but hearing these I sure would like to know more... I remember hearing Spirited Away at one time, but not having enjoyed it as much... I must've been in a foul mood. Mononoke is highly recommended.

4 STARS

I did wonder about a clip being only 1 second long! If I see the programme again I'll keep a listen out for it.

NP: Blade Runner: Orchestral Version - Vangelis

Blade Runner is a New Year's Eve tradition. I remember it playing on local TV every year at 12:30ish. Since then, I try to catch the film around this time and/or play the score. I've had the orchestral version on LP for YEARS but never spun it. I bought it at a garage sale for 50 cents. So, since I only have 30 some odd minutes to spare before I have to run out and by some snacks and wobbly pops for our New Year's festivities tonight I thought I'd spin this very interesting version of the score. It still has the Vangelis flavor with a lot of synths but the organic orchestral backing really gives the score some warmth. Not bad... not bad at all.

-Erik-

PS - Could use a little less "One More Kiss, Dear"

Sounds interesting Erik? Are you going to use any of Barry's own re-recordings? Some of the stuff he did in the late 60's is fantastic!

Most of the scores contained therein are worth hearing in their original form. Particularly Delerue's CONTEMPT (La Mepris). The opening section you mention sounds incredible for a full string orchesra.

Among Desplat's scores present on the album, READ MY LIPS and A SELF MADE HERO are excellent. Both are sampled extensively on the Naive records release devoted to Desplat's work for the films of Jacques Audiard.

NP: Inkheart (Javier Navarrete)

Not bad. Works for me so far.

Happy New Year everyone!

NP: Largo Winch - Alexandre Desplat

This is fun stuff!

Happy new year!
I've been away for a long time, but now I'm trying to start writing here again. The high school is now taking almost all of my free time, but I have tried to visit here at least a couple of times a week.

NP: La Califfa - Ennio Morricone

I needed to listen something peaceful because there's a winter storm raging outside. The love theme is really beautiful and I also like the use of voices in this score. The ten minute suite is excellent but there are lots of other great tracks too. I think this score is one of the most beautiful scores Morricone has ever written.

As is this...

T'Wind & T'Lion Jerry Goldsmith

Aye, tis smashin' this!

Thanks for the advice. I recently ordered a compilation disc with the works of Delerue, a composer I am fairly unfamiliar with.

NP - Ivan the Terrible by Sergej Prokofiev