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Friday, September 05, 2008

CD REVIEW - THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 + NEWS FROM COSTA COMMUNICATIONS


The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Music by Rachel Portman
Varese Sarabande VSD 6918 (EU)
10 Tracks 27:52 mins

This sequel to the original Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants chick flick, which was scored by Cliff Eidelman, reunites the original cast, but this time features music by Rachel Portman.
I don't know the reasons for the change in composer, as Eidelman certainly did a creditable job but, whatever, you can be sure you're in safe hands with Rachel. However, I should imagine the film is infested with songs, as this score CD is very brief, not even topping half an hour.
The opening track,"Sisterhood," after a tentative start, develops into the usual sunny, flowing, and positive kind of orchestral track which is the composer's trademark, and which is to dominate much of the score. The music reflects the nature of these films, a mix of romance, adventure and comedy; and "Carmen and Ian Rehearse" initially reflects the latter, though a brief variation of the opening theme interrupts the comic capers. The theme then appears in a laid back variation for guitar in "Welcome Home." "Bridget" is reflective at first, before ending on another winning version of the main theme. "The Letters" opens quite delicately on harp, before the main theme again takes over, receiving something of a sad variation this time, voiced by cello. "Lena" skips along at the start, before turning more reflective, and then ultimately romantic, with flute and guitar dueting on a pretty love theme, which of course gives way to the main theme, for piano and orchestra, to conclude. A low-key variation on the theme opens "Tibby," suggesting some sadness, particularly when flute and then cello take over, although piano and strings suggest light at the end of the tunnel, with a return to the main theme.
A kind of medieval flavoured guitar solo opens "Carmen," giving way to the main theme in all its glory, before taking a comedic turn, with Portman's favoured clarinet and marimbas featured, ending quite tenderly with a flute-lead variation on the main theme. "Well Worn Pair of Pants" concludes the score in upbeat fashion, with the main theme set free to soar to a warm and satisfying close.
In conclusion, Rachel Portman has written another delightful score for this film, which should please her many fans out there.


Two News Items From Costa Communications:


MARC STREITENFELD

REUNITES WITH RIDLEY SCOTT TO SCORE
“BODY OF LIES”



(Hollywood, CA) German-born film composer Marc Streitenfeld reunites with director Ridley Scott to score Scott’s newest film, “Body of Lies.” This is Streitenfeld’s third score in a row and eighth consecutive music collaboration with Scott. Warner Bros. gripping and powerful film, “Body of Lies” will hit theaters on October 10, 2008.

Streitenfeld traveled to Morocco to collaborate with Scott for this intense and sophisticated film, which required a score to support its strong and urbane style. Streitenfeld used a 90-piece orchestra as well as woods and choir to create this edgy but also moving score. Recording all the elements separately allowed Streitenfeld to have more command over the final sound mix.

“Body of Lies” is a film adaptation of the 2007 novel by American writer and journalist David Ignatius. The film was shot in the United States and Morocco, North Africa and is about a CIA operative (Leonardo DiCaprio) that is sent to Jordan to track a high-ranking terrorist. The spy is aided by the head of Jordan's covert operations (Russell Crowe) in an uneasy alliance that leads to a cultural and moral clash between the men.

Born in Munich, Germany, Streitenfeld relocated to Los Angeles at the age of 19, first working briefly as a musical assistant for composer Hans Zimmer, then independently as a music editor and supervisor on several blockbusters. Streitenfeld was nominated for a Golden Reel Award for his work on Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven” and was nominated for a BAFTA award for “American Gangster.” Streitenfeld also composed for “A Good Year” by Scott’s request and has had a long relationship with the award-winning filmmaker. “I’ve done quite a few films with him now and every experience has been really good,” Streitenfeld said. Prior to his work as a composer, Streitenfeld had collaborated with Scott as music editor, music supervisor and technical score advisor on several projects, including “Matchstick Men,” “Black Hawk Down” and “Gladiator.”



FILM MUSIC COMPOSER

ANDREW LOCKINGTON

SCORES “One Week”


"One Week" Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8th

Newest Project "City of Ember" In Theatres October 10th

(Hollywood, CA) Canadian born composer Andrew Lockington’s score for the indie film “One Week,” directed by Michael McGowan and starring Joshua Jackson, will be heard at the movie’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 8 at 9:30 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall. “One Week” is part of The Gala Presentations at the Festival, which is a high-profile showcase of Canadian and international films with a major impact. Lockington’s recent score to Walden Media’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” solidified him scoring their next film “City of Ember.” (opens October 10).

“One Week” is about a young man (Joshua Jackson) who is confronted with his mortality, and takes a road trip on a vintage motorcycle. “One Week” asks the question, “What would you do if you had one week to live?” Lockington took a minimalist approach to scoring “One Week” using a small unusual ensemble of instruments. He wanted the score to preserve all the little human elements of the musicians, including the breaths, the finger noises etc. The result is a score that has a very strong soulful element, almost feeling the presence of the musicians who performed it. The score is written for piano, backwards piano, acoustic guitar, female voice, Uilliann pipes and a complex bed of manipulated acoustic instruments.

Lockington is a protégé of award-winning composer Mychael Danna (Little Miss Sunshine). Lockington’s credits include the “Skinwalkers,” “Saint Ralph,” “Touch of Pink,” and the scores for the HBO features “Xchange” and “Stranger Inside.”


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