Pride & Prejudice [Music from the Motion Picture]
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Free Music Notes for Pride & Prejudice [Music from the Motion Picture]
Free Music Review: Luminous
Hit: 5 Stars
Of course I am a big Jane Austen fan, and I have seen many or most of the various productions, Hollywood or BBC or etc. My favorite Pride and Prejudice is still the BBC miniseries, but the movie version did capture me. There is a feel about it, beyond the beautiful people and cinematography and costumes, that is gripping and poignant, haunting even. My kids, 9 (boy) and 4 (girl), watched the movie with me recently, and were glued to it. What is she feeling? What is she going to do? They were spellbound. I enjoyed it even more, watching it with them. And I ordered the soundtrack, my first movie soundtrack.
The CD arrived a few days later. I put it in on a quiet Saturday morning, and it grabbed me. I am no technician. I do not have the right words to describe the performance, or critique it in any educated manner. But it moved me. And it continues to do so. As I listen to it, it is clear to me that so much of the feel of the movie is due to the soundtrack. The moments I remember, that stick with me, are without dialogue; they are embraced by and carried by this music, the movie soundtrack. Lizzie at the edge of the world, surrounded by the beauty of the country near Pemberly; Lizzie spinning on the swing; Lizzie running from the church in tears. It is the soundtrack that created these moments for me, not the actors. While this CD is playing, my kids, busy playing, will stop and say "Mama, this is where she is on the swing!", or "She's running away, is this where she's running away?" They feel it too.
With renewed interest I watched the Emma Thomspon version of Sense and Sensibility. While the movie is probably as good as Pride and Prejudice, nothing stuck with me, and it quickly disappeared from my thoughts. I attribute the difference to the soundtrack, one poignant, the other forgettable.
So I heartily recommend the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It has brought me much joy.
Free Music Review: Sweeping, haunting, and unforgettable
Hit: 5 Stars
There are few soundtracks I race to purchase, and even fewer that I truly enjoy from start to finish, regardless of mood, moment, or time of day. And not another inspires as much as this; Dario Marianelli's compositions for the film are enchanting and unforgettable, and I'd like to think that if Jane Austen were alive today, she would gladly give an approving nod.
This soundtrack is shorter than most, at little more than forty minutes. Thank goodness for repeat buttons - it's nearly painful to have it end. From the very first, quiet notes of Dawn, to the glorious Georgiana, and all the way to the lively Can't Slow Down, there's not a single unpleasant or unworthy note on this record.
Among my favorites are the haunting The Living Sculptures of Pemberley and The Secret Life of Daydreams, which would have captured me by title alone - it is a track I write to, one that consistently brings inspiration, and one I wish I could program in my head so it could accompany me anywhere, anytime, without needing such a thing as an iPod. And while Liz On Top of the World and Darcy's Letter (how amazing that it begins with such a rush, echoing the feeling one gets when she realizes she has wronged someone; and then how it slows, as the realization of love floods in) are head to head for the #2 position, it is Your Hands Are Cold that has no competition; it is romantic, powerful, passionate, chilling, and unbelievably beautiful. Ah, but then there's Mrs. Darcy, which is breathtaking as well...
Between composer Dario Marianelli and world famous French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, as well as The English Chamber Orchestra, this soundtrack is one hell of a masterpiece.
Free Music Review: Simple yet lovely
Hit: 5 Stars
Dario Marianelli does a fabulous job of capturing the three eras of music that this film's setting finds itself surrounded by: Late Baroque (1700-1750), Enlightenment Era (1790-1800), and Classical Era (sometimes considered 1750-1820, sometimes 1800-1850). He also slips in some allusions to the nearing Romantic Era (1815-1910) with his Robert Schuman-like piano compositions, such as appears in the main theme. The dances borrow heavily from Henry Purcell (hence the track entitled "A Postcard to Henry Purcell"). And, of course, what musician could call himself a musician without putting some Bach influence in his music? (Theoretically, it's impossible not to, since apparently every musician since Bach is influenced by Bach whether or not he likes it!)
Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays with such elegance and grace, the soundtrack makes me wish my own inexperienced piano-playing could sound less like plunking and more like music - since he is one of the great pianists of today, who defines what "music" is when it comes to piano. Lovely.
Dario Marianelli usually writes quite dissonant, passionate music, so this album is a little out of the ordinary with its rare "tragic" episodes - yet is always a little curious and nostalgic even, if only for all of those famous composers he includes in his writing. Although the mood is entirely different than what I am accustomed to him writing, it is unmistakenly Dario Marianelli. That is evident of a great composer, and his versatility will surely serve him well in the years to come.
Free Music Review: Excellent score that evokes the film's spirit well!
Hit: 5 Stars
Although I initially expected a much stronger score for the new "Pride & Prejudice", and was a bit surprised by the softer side it seems to take, I do really like the score. Having bought the soundtrack from Amazon UK over a month ago, and having seen two screenings of the new "Pride & Prejudice" film in the last two weeks, I can rightfully say that the music really flows well with the film, and never overpowers it. It circles, entwines, prods, calms and flows: always appropriate and always divine.
The beautiful tracks like "Meryton Townhall" or "Another Dance" where they dance a lively tune, or the aptly named "Militia Marches In" with a nice military feel..."The Secret Life of Daydreams" is beautiful: the wonderfully haunting "Your Hands Are Cold," and "Mrs. Darcy" has a nice build and feel...for those of you who do English Country Dance/Regency Dance like me, you find yourself looking for the tune for "Mr. Beveridge's Maggot" (which is what Elizabeth & Darcy dance to in the 1995 version), instead you will find "A Postcard to Henry Purcell", which is haunting, mellow & beautiful in its own right.
My favorite tracks, "Liz on Top of the World," builds to a more strong tone, and has a gorgeous feel and "Your Hands Are Cold" is both strong and soft, loving and harsh, and is I feel, the best track in the film: the imagery in the film that goes along with it is beautiful, and complements each other well. All in all, a highly recommended score to go along with a highly recommended film!
Free Music Review: An outstanding score to accompany a masterly film treatment
Hit: 5 Stars
Composer Dario Marianelli said the spirit of Beethoven's early piano sonatas weas in his head when he composed the opening sequence, a piano score played beautifully by Jean-Yves Thibeuadet. This is appropriate as Beethoven was an exact peer to Jane Austen, whose book birthed the film treatment and gave reason for Marianelli's Oscar-nominated score.
While the film depicts the comedy of manners in 18th century England, the score represents the concept that "Pride and Prejudice" is the most romantic novel ever written. There is one probelm with that -- the period of the book precedes the romantic century -- the 19th century -- by some years and actually represents the "classical" period of the 18th century.
No matter, of course, as the score is wonderful in every sequence and often dreamily romantic. As other reviewers also suggest, it captures the essence of each film sequence it accompanies. For me, it is the best film score since "The Pianist" in that regard.
I think the score could have been reproduced better for home enjoyment, however. The recording technique, perhaps meant for theater reproduction, sometimes results in a bit of fuzzy and boomy music where either Thibeaudet or the English Chamber Orchestra appear to be playing through gossamer. It never does much to inhibit enjoyment any sequence of the music, which I wish lasted longer than about 1 minute 10 seconds on average. But that's movie music, you know.