Triumph of the Spirit

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

By now everyone has heard of the name Cliff Eidelman, a respected and highly acclaimed composer for the fans of film music, an underrated rookie with no chance of success for the directors it seems to be, it seems to have been this all his career long. But fans of all genres have begged to differ, I beg to differ because first time projects such as Triumph of the Spirit will not get any better then this. He was about 22 years of age when this composition was made, rookie in attitude, mature composer in musical abilities. How you look at the facts is not important, if he can compose, even receive such a project at such a young age and has the ability to conduct the orchestra himself must only show what kind of a talent he truly is. And yet, no one seems to hire Cliff Eidelman for his obvious personality and skills. In all honesty, Triumph of the Spirit gives this from the first to the last minute, in full grandeur and at the highest decency of emotion.

For his age, writing such a commendable yet highly emotional and probably hardship task is a gift from heaven and a package from hell. Eidelman probably had recollections to family or acquaintances and friends, probably even closer because the sentence inside the CD cover reads "This music is dedicated to Lorraine Eidelman". Eidelman surely let his heart talk, let his talent do the writing and his knowledge the way to compose it. For a 22 year old with hardly a touch of experience writing about the Holocaust is hardly the dream come true, but surely the challenge worthy. Triumph of the Spirit is not only beautiful, emotional, dark or strong, it showcases abilities people seem to miss with a Cliff Eidelman, this man can pore life into an orchestral performance of magnitude. It all starts extremely uplifting, with a striking and exceptionally fitting main theme in 'Main Title', this is one of the two memorable performances where Eidelman surely gives the viewer or listener hope. It all ends with an extremely brilliant technique, soft choral phrases underscore violins bringing a moment of true craftsmanship.

What this score above all needs is a choral accompaniment, for bringing emotion and human terror for the dark and inhuman acts of war. While 'Dark Tunnel to Auschwitz' and 'Answer Us' bring more emotion, it are the horrifying and chilling sounds in 'The Slaughter' and 'Death March' that bring a sense of doom. For a 22 year old and to understand that this score needs this hope and foreboding doom is not only a testament to the talents of Cliff Eidelman, but also a sign for things to come, it also reminds me of the terrifying choral work of The Omen. The more emotional high ground is found in moments such as 'Elena's False Dreams' as the stunning themes in 'Mercy on To Us' and 'Salamo Desperately Finds Allegra', and also worthy to remember the last track 'Epilogue / End Credits'. Cliff Eidelman, above all that could go wrong with such a composition stunned the audience with an emotional if not truly intelligent work of art. People applauded John Williams' work on Schindler's List that he truly captured the emotions of the horror acts of the Holocaust, Cliff Eidelman did do it no worse nor better but nonetheless offered the listener, crew of the movie and viewer a testament of dark emotional color and supreme quality, if not only because he delivered the standard of scores to come.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (2.24) Excellent Track

2. Love In Wedlock (0.49)

3. Dark Tunnel To Auschwitz (1.51)

4. There Was A Time (1.45)

5. Answer Us (3.51)

6. Mi Dyo Mi (0.49)

7. Avram Refuses To Work (2.20)

8. Longing For Home (1.47)

9. A Hard Felt Rest (1.26)

10. Hell Realization (0.32)

11. Elena's False Dreams (1.58) Excellent Track

12. There Was A Memory (4.23) Excellent Track

13. Begging For Bread (1.04)

14. The Mourning (2.13)

15. The Slaughter (2.14)

16. It Was A Month Before We Left (1.29)

17. Hunger (1.18)

18. Mercy On To Us (1.27) Excellent Track

19. Salamo Desperately Finds Allegra (3.24) Excellent Track

20. Allegra's Punishment (1.36)

21. A New Assignment (1.42)

22. Death March (5.34)

23. Epilogue / End Credits (6.53) Excellent Track

Total Length: 53.30

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=== Link to Composer Site: Cliff Eidelman ===