The Governess

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Once more Edward Shearmur tackles the deep inner emotions with a more then well equipped and inspired soundtrack that justifies the deep roots of the central characters of this drama. However, as The Wings of the Dove there is a special taste around the music, meaning The Governess is not for everyone. However, it has special things more then The Wings of the Dove because it has several various themes (though no grand ones so to speak of), secondly it handles a bit of difference because it has vocals, percussion and various instruments while the voice deals around mostly Arabic music, confronting the Jewish way of life and that makes a bit of difference at the end. Once more I don't find myself returning a lot to the score but it has more in the end to appreciate because of those things. The opening track for instance immediately brings Ofra Haza (the late Ofra Haza who also sang in Hans Zimmer's The Prince of Egypt) and brings further solo flute, violin, piano and guitar, all in all making 'Mary Blackchurch' more then a diverse opener. Ofra Haza's voice leans itself to most of the tracks and while different then other accompanying voices, she too brings a dash of color to the music of Edward Shearmur. Her best moment, and with that also Shearmur's part comes with 'Salome', portraying Ofra Haza and various solo instruments in another enticing mix that works well after various times especially. The themes or better said returning theme is spotted a lot through piano and is simple but effective and shows again classical roots that astrayed The Wings of the Dove a year before.

The rest of the score bases itself all around these ideas and instruments, making partly no way for the familiar London Metropolitan Orchestra to give it some extra color. However, this also has in control that the music remains intimate and extremely close to the Arabic and Western musical style. 'Purim Dance' is a pure straight dance tone with the Arabic flavors of instruments to push it forward while 'The Box Camera' presents back the solo vocal of Haza, the guitar, violin and piano and it all stays extremely somber. Especially in the begin and the first time, this kind of music can not entice you enough. However, multiple times somewhat make it bearable but still, more interesting is the end of that track when it actually presents bird calls. 'Passover' presents solo flute, followed with light percussion giving it along with Ofra Haza some rhythm, and as you might have guessed it sounds Arabic like in style. 'Fixation' presents a part of the orchestra but doesn't do much while Shubert's piece stays in the same line of musical tone of the score. 'Photographing Cavendish / Adio, Querida' starts the same with the piano theme but the last minutes are a strange addition with suddenly Ofra Haza singing to a Spanish undertone, making somewhat the difference all in the end. The classical sounding 'Entr'acte' presents back the theme on piano and strings and is better nor worse then the rest, just the same I guess. The constant solo flute and percussion finishes the score with true Arabian belly dance music. I think there are moments that will be liked and disliked by many people and therefore I don't recommend The Governess to everyone, just the people who know what to expect I guess. Its however better then The Wings of the Dove because of the vocals and presence of the solo instruments. Its not what you can call material to actually listen to for enjoyment, its more deeper background material with a dash around the corner, once you give it time to sink in.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Mary Blackchurch (3.12)

2. The Box Camera (4.00)

3. Purim Dance (1.55)

4. Passover (3.28)

5. The Veil (1.34)

6. Fixation (3.14)

7. Salome (4.05)

8. Standchen * (3.52)

9. Love And Loss (3.58)

10. Photographing Cavendish / Adio, Querida (7.37)

11. Entr'acte (6.16)

12. Rosina (4.41)

* Performed by Franz Shubert

Total Length: 47.59

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Edward Shearmur ===