CD REVIEW - The Ten Commandments


The Ten Commandments
Music by Randy Edelman
Varese Sarabande VSD-6714
24 Tracks 50:09 mins

Randy Edelman uses his usual combination of orchestra and electronics in his score for this Hallmark remake of the biblical classic, which actually works out fine, despite my initial trepidation, although I do think a solely orchestral approach would have been more suited and electronic brass just does not cut it in the couple or so powerful moments it is utilised.
Edelman's main theme is suitably weighty and noble and crops up tellingly throughout the score, before concluding the album in a solo piano treatment. "Desert Passage" is one of many good cues, starting out determined and becoming proud and triumphant; whilst "The Greatest Sorrow" is one of several to feature solemn string solos, which perhaps is somewhat clichéd for Jewish-themed stories, but is nonetheless effective. Cues like "The Burning Bush," where God is working his wonders are suitably mystical and a little menacing besides; and there is warmth in cues like "Becoming a Family;" and some exciting action in "Call to War at the Red Sea" and "Ascending the Heights." My favourite cue is "A Bond That Never breaks," beginning with a proud string solo before turning upbeat and orchestral.
This really is a first-effort from a composer who wouldn't perhaps be your first choice to compose the music for a production of this nature, but Edelman's gift for melody carries him through as usual.