Chocolat: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture (2001 Film)
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Free Music Notes for Chocolat: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture (2001 Film)
Free Music Review: THIS is what should have won the oscar
Hit: 5 Stars
Rachel Portman is quickly becomming one of my favorite composers. From her quirky Benny & Joon, to her oscar winning Emma, Portman seems to be able to hit all the right notes, and create marvelous depth with so little. Chocolat is quite similar to her previous two major scores -- The Cider House Rules and The Legend of Baggar Vance (the later is actually better than this, in my opinion, but didn't get nominated). The score starts off right off the bat on 'Main Titles' with some lovely piano and strings under a beautiful flute melody. Then the main theme kicks in with Portman's usual wonderful candences.
The theme is repeated throughout the score, with her usual variations that never get boring. And it's such a great theme that one can never get tired of all its incarnations. There are also a couple of secondary themes that show up, also wonderful as well. 'Boycott Immortality' features all of these very nicely. However, no review of Chocolat can be complete without mentioning the two highlights of the score -- 'Vienne Sets Up Shop' and 'Party Preperations'. Both are happy-bouncy pieces with a Medditeranian feel. Both of these tracks I can listen to over and over -- you will will humming 'Vienne Sets Up Shop' all day.
Besides the 40 minutes of wonderful score, Chocolat features two source tracks. While I don't care much for 'Caravan', I like 'Minor Swing' a lot -- it's just what its name implies, a swinging accousitc guitar tune in the minor. Quite catchy.
So overall, I recommend this CD with my full bleassings -- it may very well be my favorite new score I bought this year.
Free Music Review: Hear the magic.
Hit: 5 Stars
Although I have not seen the movie Chocolat, I love the sound track. One night I stopped at a local bookstore where I spent a wonderful couple of hours browsing books, CDs, and movies. I love the audio stations that I call Music Bars, and so I listen. After hearing several tracks of Chocolat, I knew that I had to have the CD. Amazon.com has provided short clips of five of the songs. "Minor Swing" which has a Spanish flavor that lifts my spirit. I feel like dancing. Next "Main Titles," which probably plays as the screen credits roll by gives me the sense of watching clouds or floating on a peaceful lake. "The Story of Granmere" is haunting, filled with a touch of sadness that is artfully woven by the notes. Returning to the wondrous Spanish or Gypsy ambiance of the first track, "Vivianne Sets Up Shop" brings a sensuous touch; I close my eyes and let my body sway in rhythm. "Three Women" captured my imagination imagination with the elixir of sensations.
The rest of the CD is just as wondrous. I play it as I am working in my office, and while it is true that I can be obsessive, I just cannot seem to get enough of the music. Rachel Portman created a masterpiece that makes me exhilarated and very satisfied.
Some day I will see the movie. Until then I willingly give up my troubles to let the music wrap around me. Five stars and magic.
Victoria Tarrani
Free Music Review: A Beautiful Score
Hit: 5 Stars
Rachel Portman has written some amazing film music that includes Wilde, The Cider House Rules and, of course, Chocolat. With Chocolat, Ms. Portman's music beautifully incorporates the mood of the film, particularly in the opening title music that beautifully describes the bucolic setting of the small French town of the story. The track that describes the story of Grandmere - Vianne's mother - is a nice combination of sweetness and melancholy that describes her restless nature. The use of guitar in Vianne Sets Up Shop is a great addition describing the many tasks that Vianne and her daughter are performing but also her Mayan origins. The whimsical "Passage of Time" nicely describes the goings on of the villagers and "Fire" is eloquent in describing the slow horror of Vianne when she realizes that her daughter may have been burned to death. There are some short pieces of music like "Chocolate Sauce" that is perfect in describing the effect of Vianne's magical sauce as the villagers are eating at Armande's birthday party and the wistful "Vianne' Gazes at the River" is beautiful in describing a mood of longing and regret.
The music for Chocolat is something I listen to quite often; it has even been used for a yoga class that I attended. If you love the film, you will want the music.
Free Music Review: Chocoholics beware
Hit: 5 Stars
Rachel Portman has surpassed all her previous work with this soundtrack.Even though several tracks stand out, namely the jazzy ones, all the tracks suit the mood they seem to portray for each scene they describe.Having seen the film 5 times now, read the book ( incidentally very different from the film, PITY!! ), read the follow-up book
"Blackberry Wine" also set in Lansquenet, listened to the soundtrack numerous times, I can only heap praise on Rachel Portman for her evocative music.
Being a musician myself I can appreciate the complexity of setting the mood, and with Chocolat, Miss Portman has captured the essence almost fantastically.
Pity though that none of the jazz musicians are listed in the cd booklet, with no information of these superb players whatsoever.
I have now through reading several reviews found out that Johnny Depp himself plays guitar on several of the tracks, but have no idea of the clarinetist, violinist, piano accordion player and other soloists.
I hope to hear more music like this in the future, and hats off to you Miss Portman.
Free Music Review: Music that Melts in Your Mouth!
Hit: 5 Stars
While listening to the enchanting,delicious soundtrack of the film 'Chocolat' it swims through the brain and almost makes the chocolate palpable in the throat.The lyrical, weaving (and sometimes wonderfully) minor-keyed score fairly oozes with bittersweetness (chocolat!) and Django seems to bring to life what a piece of good chocolate feels like after consuming some. Rather like after love-making some may say.
The music expands beyond the narrow streets, small shops, and limited minds in the French village which is the setting for the film and score. It goes through the streets, behind the closed bedroom doors, and huge double doors of the Church and proceeds to permeate the listener with a both delicious and haunting feeling.
In my opinion: The only appropriate (and justifiable) 'eatable' to have while listening to this album---The finest chocolate you can find, even just a little bit of a box. Or, if desperate, a Hershey Bar from the local gas station will still provide some ambiance for total immersion into the CD.