Two grand names from the world of film music lavishing their artistry on
a TV series! Well, that would not be the first time. In this case however
the results confounded my prejudices. I was expecting forgettable 'conveyor
belt' stuff. In practice, although the Delerue tracks (12-17) are pretty
inconsequential in a winsome 'Deerhunter' way, the Williams tracks
are strong bread and vintage wine. The Jinxed One (3) has fluttering flutes
almost tangibly conveying the sensation of feathers floating down a dark
chasm. Listen to the golden glories of the horn section in The Parachute
(6). Perhaps the inspiration falters in the Elgarian farewells of Goodbyes
(9) but The Landing is something very special with its Sibelian woodwind
writing flowing into the sheerest gauzy spiderweb enchantment. Williams writes
with luminescent feeling in his pen. Glorious!
The Williams' main and endtitles are also good with the latter swooping through
sunlit dappled carefree meadows and optimistic dazzling uplands.
Good notes by Robert Townson and a complete Season 1 and 2 episode guide
listing titles, original broadcast dates and composers.
Classic stuff … and too easily overlooked!
Reviewer
Rob Barnett
Royal Scottish
National Orchestra/Joel McNeely (Williams); John Debney (Delerue)
