Richard HARTLEY
Don Quixote
OST
VARÈSE SARABANDE
VSD 6142
[71:24]
Crotchet
Amazon
UK
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USA
Richard Hartley has conceived a delightful score for John Mortimer's television
series based on the famous novel by Miguel de Cervantes starring John Lithgow
as Quixote and Bob Hoskins as Sancho Panza. Hartley's music is sensitive
to the complex character of the eccentric ageing knight. It is colourful
and vibrant; atmospheric and evocative. It is just a pity that there is not
a theme that really lingers in the memory. The material and treatment: colour,
orchestrations, rhythms etc - all are familiar. The strongest impression
is of the music of Rodrigo. Yet it is Hartley's immaculate taste and skill
that weaves the widely varying material into a most satisfying whole and
Varèse have been unusually generous in providing an album of 72 minutes
allowing Hartley's creation space to breathe and follow the development of
Cervantes story.
The album consists of nearly 40 cues mostly quite short, on average about
2 minutes but with two more substantial tracks: 'Down the Well', mysterious,
subterranean agitated string swirlings that contrast with the heavenly serenity
and wide cosmic vistas of 'Journey Beyond the Stars' with its mystical overtones
overlaid with references to the noble and virtuous side of the Don's character.
Other cues are concerned with the pastoral backgrounds to the story. Others
have proud fanfares to accompany the jousts. Energetic dance rhythms and
sultry love music underscore the more romantic moments and there are very
evocative pieces for such episodes as 'Tilting at Windmills' in which the
turning of the windmill sails are splendidly realised.
Although it could be said that there is a certain amount of sameness running
through this album, it is nevertheless colourful and entertaining.
Reviewer
Ian Lace
