Search - John Lanchbery, Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra :: Tales of Beatrix Potter (Original Soundtrack Recording)

Tales Of Elegant and Beautiful Music

Mr. Villeo Y. Soon | Dover, England, UK | 01/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After watching the ballet of 'Tales of Beatrix Potter', not only was I intrique by the beautiful choreography and stunning sets but also by the superb music composed especially by John Lanchberry. This soundtrack from the film demonstrates the many elements,moods and style of music that compliments the visual dancing of the ballet. John Lanchberry utilises Victorian themes as the basis for the ballet and comes up with a completely new score. There are 8 tracks in this CD and each track is devoted to individual characters and stories that make up the ballet score (though it is not the complete score) nevertheless, it is still enchanting. Waltzes dominate the score and it is plain to see why as the melodies transports us to a realm of flight and fantasy and you get lost in the strains of the violins. The finale cleverly combines the strains of the waltz to culminate to a frenzied polka. Simple but most effective. Clearly, John Lanchbery score conjures the dance movements in the mind and by doing that he has succeded in making us believe we are in a world of Beatrix Potter. The quality of sound is commendable considering it was recorded before the digital age. Music is performed by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House,Covent Garden and it has never sounded so brilliant before. My wish is that sometime in the future, a complete score would be available as this is the prime example of a modern classic, therefore a score in it's entire form would be hail as a masterpiece."