Australian composer David Hirschfelder was unknown to me until about thirty minutes ago when I was browsing new scores and came across a new release, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole
. The film is based on the book series Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky. I started listening to the samples on Amazon, which really only teased of what I might expect. What the hay, I decided, I'll get this one blind. Right from the get go this score does not in any way suggest that it comes from an animated feature. The score opens in Flight Home
with trumpets, and a cimbalom, backed with choral accompaniment, which builds to a brass fanfare of the film's heroic main theme. I really quite like the theme, but unfortunately it doesn't make an appearance in the same heroic form, excepting the conclusion of the final track, More Baggy Wrinkles
. Several of the tracks have a brooding and/or suspenseful action tone, such as A Long Way to the Guardians
, that would seem to support the movie's description by some as a darker child's fantasy. In fact, the demeanor of the majority of the score tracks would indicate a more serious, dramatic fantasy, which rarely gets into the realm of Mickey Mouse (perhaps the first part of You Know We're Flying
and the quote of Les Toreadors
from Bizet's Carmen at the end of Follow the Whales Fin
). Most of the tracks employ choral backing and the finale of My Soldiers My Sons
features an exciting choral chant. If only it lasted longer than twenty seconds. Legend of the Guardians wont endear quite so quickly as this year's earlier hit, How to Train Your Dragon
. The main theme while heroic and memorable is featured far too little on album in contrast to the latter. The score also features much more dissonance and has a more serious tone throughout. Even if not as immediately satisfying as How to Train Your Dragon, Hirschfelder has crafted a mature, orchestral animated score, diverse in instrumentation, which excels beyond many other scores in the genre. Highlights include the score's bookends, Flight Home and More Baggy Wrinkles, The Boy was Right
and Into Battle
.****Note: Physical CD purchasing of this title in the U.S. is limited to Borders brick and mortar locations.
is a 1999 movie in the historical, action, comedy genre, which sounds like an interesting combination as is the merging of different styles in Craig Armstrong's score. I discovered this score recently on 
and 
Anniversary 4-CD set. Howard's effort has met mostly lukewarm reception among film score fans including complaints of length concerning the release and too much mickey mousing in the score's mid-section. Neverthelss, I decided to take a leap of faith and purchase the second to last cue, 
. The suite features several different variations of Howard's theme including trumpet, strings, choral, and even a tender xylophone iteration at the conclusion. While Howard's theme is not as majestic sounding as Doyle's original, it still packs an emotional punch. I also enjoyed the use of choir even though it is similar to Doyle's. Recommended.
, 
from Medal of Honor: Frontline are my favorite video game choral score cues. I will certainly be keeping an ear out for James Hannigan in the future.
' and '
' are among the best six minutes of Howard's career." I headed over to Youtube to take a listen. Night Sweats features a hauntingly beautiful choral element and like many great cues it is progresses from very soft and somber to a more colorful and medium paced finale. The cue begins with an oboe theme and then introduces tolling bells. The chorus adds more depth as the track progresses and gives it a semi-spiritual feel especially by the end. Hospital kicks the melodrama into high gear with stirring strings and more of the oboe; a sweeping, lyrical romantic style piece. Subtle beauty isn't something I have always appreciated in film music, but I have found the longer my exploration into score music the more I have come to appreciate such cues as these. Whether these two cues are among Howard's best six minutes is surely debatable, but still highly recommended.