Merlin (BBC 2008)

Wow, that sounds great! I can't say that I'm "blown away," but I certainly like it.

Well, "blown away" in the sense that it really sounds nice at first listening and grows a lot on you when you repeat it a couple of times.

The actual episode music was fun, I think. Some nice variations of the main theme (specifically the quiet once have a bit of magic in them), a couple of strange choices, and yeah, some epic stuff at the end which sounded familiar, but a note-by-note rip-off certainly isn´t the case here. At least it was borrowed from the best, not from the worst, which actually is an achievement, I think.

Overall, it was nice, just a touch better than the usual two-part fantasy TV-movies, with some potential to get better over the course of the series. I especially liked the chemistry between Merlin & Arthur. The effects were good, and for a TV-series, even the dragon was well done, and John Hurt was a great choice.

The costumes and the overall atmosphere are a big step up from Robin Hood, but historians will turn around in their graves. A lot.

The obvious breathtaker was Morgana, though. Well, Morgana and her outfits, to be more precise. May they be ridiculous, I don´t care. IMHO, if they just continue to stick her into those outfits, they will keep my attention indefinetely. As Arthur said, "God have mercy...!", and I totally agree with him.

Did I mention that I´m really addicted to that Credit thing now? Hell, if they really manage to get as epic as those credits are, they´ll easily have a hit on their hands. The ratings were good, at least.

Who scored this?

The basic structure from Many Meetings was used, yes, but I think you´ll find similar stuff in lots of other scores, and here it was just used as the basic structure for the much more dominant melody sung by Eve Miles. I might add that this was probably the worst scene of the episode, but only because it was so obvious that Eve wasn´t singing herself. Although I really like her as an actress (after all, her Gwen is Torchwood´s heart and soul), she was too well known for me that I could have accepted her singing. But at least she tried to conceal it, otherwise this scene would have sucked much more.

Which are unavailable if you live outside the UK. As well as the videos. I survive on those wonderful walls alone... if anyone finds out by chance where to get the clips instead, please tell us all.

From what I've heard I think it would make a good enjoyable CD.

Mikael Carlsson's label MovieScore Media lists as "Coming Soon" Rob Lane's score for the BBC's Merlin:

"Relive the magic of the new BBC fantasy adventure series Merlin with the exciting soundtrack album which features the epic orchestral score composed by Rob Lane, one of the the most experienced and acclaimed composers of music for lavish UK drama series (Elizabeth I, Jane Eyre, Longford). Based on a rich thematic approach and colourful musical ideas, Lane’s original score pays tribute to the fantasy film genre - listeners who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings soundtracks or the Harry Potter scores will love the music for Merlin. It’s filled with swashbuckling action, romantic orchestrations, charming scherzos, mystical choral writing and heroic themes. The album features music from the first three episodes of the show, “The Dragon’s Call, “Valiant,” and “The Mark of Nimueh”."

Release date: November, 4th - MMS08021 (http://www.moviescoremedia.com/comingsoon.html)

You have a lot of good stuff coming out over the next few weeks, Mikael!

oh cool, Mikael you just keep getting better and better

Direct Link with samples is here:

http://www.filmmusicdownloads.com/WebFi … tm?id=6439

The quality is 320 kbps.

MovieScore Media presents

MERLIN

Music Composed and Conducted by
ROB LANE

Sound clips and more info:
http://www.moviescoremedia.com/merlin.html

CD distributed by Screen Archives Entertainment and the RSK Entertainment (UK/Eire):
http://www.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm?ID=10783
http://www.rskentertainment.co.uk/merch … amp;step=4

Download album in 320kbit mp3 format here:
http://www.filmmusicdownloads.com/WebFi … tm?id=6439

Download album on iTunes here:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSt … p;s=143444

Relive the magic of the new BBC fantasy adventure series Merlin with the exciting soundtrack album which features the epic orchestral score composed by Rob Lane, one of the the most experienced and acclaimed composers of music for lavish UK drama series (Elizabeth I, Jane Eyre, Longford).

Based on a rich thematic approach and colourful musical ideas, Lane’s original score pays tribute to the fantasy film genre - listeners who enjoyed the Lord of the Rings soundtracks or the Harry Potter scores will love the music for Merlin. It’s filled with swashbuckling action, romantic orchestrations, charming scherzos, mystical choral writing and heroic themes.

"Composing the score for this BBC updating of the Arthurian legend has been a great challenge for me, requiring as it does a real diversity of tone from the music. One moment it’s martial heroism that’s needed – the next it’s magical fantasy. Scenes can shift quickly from slapstick comedy to poignant romance or dark horror in a second, and the score has to support these shifts whilst all the time remembering that this is a show clearly aimed at a primetime family audience," composer Rob Lane says.

The album features music from the first three episodes of the show, “The Dragon’s Call, “Valiant,” and “The Mark of Nimueh”.

MMS08021 MERLIN: Original Television Soundtrack
Music Composed and Conducted ROB LANE
Release date: November 4, 2008.

There's...EWOKS in it?

I'm SO gonna order this!

NO Ewoks?

Aw.

</me cancels order>

So there ARE Ewoks?

< /me re-orders >

yub yub!

So, what's the fuzz about? have no idead about the show - nor do i intend to gain some but i am interested in the music. Is it as good as they say it is?