CD REVIEW - UN TICKET POUR L'ESPACE


Un Ticket pour L'Espace
Music by Erwann Kermorvant
MovieScore Media MMS-10004
21 Tracks 42:42 mins

For Volumes 7 & & 8 of their "Discovery Collection," MovieScore media have delved into the recent past to release a couple of scores by Erwann Kermorvant, the label having previously released his music to La Premiere Etoile. In a few days' time I'll be reviewing Volume 8, Big City, but I'll start off with Volume 7, which presents the composer's 2006 score for Eric Lartigau's sci-fi comedy Un Ticket pour L'Espace. Kermorvant utilises the services of The Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra and, in the grand traditions of Elmer Bernstein, plays the comedy straight, producing a score that, whilst largely maintaining its own voice, nevertheless pays tribute to the great sci-fi scores of John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner et al.
A good, old-fashioned "Overture" starts off the disc in fine, adventurous style, initially recalling James Horner's early sci-fi efforts, before adopting a typical Goldsmith rhythm. The title track follows, opening ominously before adopting an urgency. A kind of Latin rhythm opens "Scolco," before the music turns romantic, the latter theme briefly continuing into "Space Center Alert" before a percussive air of expectancy sets in. "So Far, So Close/Gavotte" opens dreamily, before rushing to a crescendo and then concluding strangely as a folk dance. "Practice, Practise!" is a propulsive piece with an impressive ending; then it's back to the folksy feel in "Cider Kiss," with solos for harp and pipes leading to something of a jig to close.
"The Wrong Stuff" offers rhythmic action, leading to the fanfarish opening of "Countdown" and subsequent feeling of nobility and heroic conclusion. "First Night in Space" follows, opening mysteriously, before drawing to a somewhat menacing close. Completely at odds with what has come before is the driving techno opening of "The Code Breaker," before the track turns more mysterious, even adding an awed choir. "Space..." continues this feeling of awe, before "Charlemagne/Towel Kung Fu" returns us to action mode, complete with typically Asian percussion. "Distress Call" opens powerfully and then processes determinedly to a close, followed by "Trouble/Remember Me?" which starts suspensefully, before ending on an easy beat-driven note. We're back in action mode for the start of "Room Service," which then assumes a menacing feel. "Alien Turkey" is a mix of menacing action and suspense, leading to a mix of heroics and suspense in "Prisoner/Mouchette."
The harp solo briefly returns for the opening of "Re-Entry," before the appropriate tension sets in. The music swells triumphantly at the opening of the penultimate track, "Final Poetry," before a tinkling piano and woodwind interlude leads into a suitably satisfying conclusion. The final, and longest, track on the album, "Suite from 'A Ticket to Space,'" works like an old-fashioned end titles suite, as heard in the likes of the Star Wars films, recalling, as it does, key moments in the score.
For samples and details as to how to obtain your copy of the CD, go to www.moviescoremedia.com/tickettospace.html.