Laura's Stern

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Hans Zimmer has lend his hand upon animation before, and the results were devastating for most people, while Nick Glennie-Smith only had to deal with a straight to video release of The Lion King 2. Yet, they worked together on a charming animation piece named Laura's Stern (or Laura's Star in English), released in Europe and not receiving the attention normally a Hans Zimmer score would receive. Why is simple, its the import and extra cash that surrounds the purchase which scares off potential buyers, and without doubt also the more obscure nature of its film. But altogether, the release is an extremely generous one of BMG and for 69 minutes you can enchant yourself in the world of Laura. Nick Glennie-Smith wrote the most material for this animation, Henning Lohner got equally enough attention to his name, and I guess Zimmer (as on most occasions) was there to support the dead ends and possibly a theme or so. But as always, the credit is especially noted in the booklet, naming each individual that wrote what track, making sure Jay Rifkin's claim surrounding the ghostwriting and not giving credit to the composers makes no sense at all anymore. And when seeing all this, you could say this is a Glennie-Smith and Lohner effort, with help of Zimmer, making all this still a nice effort in a charming orchestral tone, backed up by 2 good and appropriate songs and a main theme which is charming but over used to the death of it. At first, you hear the theme over and over, but as a background listen, this theme makes much more impact, also because its a charming tone we hear over and over again, and the 2 songs thrown in the middle are just the ticket for the refreshing change. Laura's Stern is indeed perhaps not that special but sounds lovely because its charming, sweet and just long enough for the die hards that treasure orchestral Zimmer/Glennie-Smith/Lohner efforts.

As said, the main theme is used over and over, and so starts 'Opening Titles' and at first, you find it a lovely tune and charming melody, but this just repeats itself again, and again. Its mostly on strings, occasionally with soothing light choir. A more lighthearted version is heard in a more typical animation mood in 'The Chase' but this doesn't fall in the dreaded Mickey Mouse music luckily. A lovely cello appears also frequently, in 'Lonely Laura' supporting the theme. There is a secondary theme also, used sparingly but effective in various tracks, 'A Star is Born Part 1' brought forward by cello, when in the second part 2 light choir, strings and flute grow nicely to the end. Other good tracks are (apart from the fact they sound so similar) 'Wake up Guys' with a great effect of the whirling strings over the theme, 'Star Finds Sun and Moon Part 2' having the secondary theme with light choir and strings, 'Laura at the Rescue' having a more playful feeling with light choir, playing finally a brief variation of the theme, 'Flying Bow' capturing another magical grow with even a brief nice horn solo, its actually adorable with the soothing choir over it. And 'Flying in the Rain' even throws in a serious (soft action version) on brass of the theme. 'Finale' throws in most of what we heard before but now in a long version, soft choir, main and secondary theme versions and basically everything in a nutshell. And the second song throws in the secondary theme and main theme in a magical (perhaps over tested) but wonderful song, giving an orchestral accompaniment to the fitting voices of Wonderwall. The only solo track of Zimmer ends the CD with cello and strings. The other tracks are equally lovely and nice, but these just jumped on me a little stronger then the rest. Still, Laura's Stern isn't without its faults, but with a charming tone as this you just want to say the positives of the score. Yes, an over tested main theme score, a score lacking a lot of variation but its all sweet and charming, making in my book a fitting listen for the animation, and a score showing an orchestral voice, something the MV composers only can achieve in Europe, hear Invincible for more proof. Is America then so blind to the potential of these MV synthesists?

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Opening Title * (2.24)

2. The Chase * (2.21)

3. Lonely Laura * (2.11)

4. Laura And Muschka * (1.23)

5. A Star Is Born Part 1 + (4.53)

6. A Star Is Born Part 2 ++++ (5.54)

7. Leg Ballet / Repair + (7.39)

8. Wake Up Guys * (1.20)

9. 1st Flight ++++ (2.06)

10. Planet Magic + (1.17)

11. Stay: Wonderwall (3.00)

12. Star Finds Sun And Moon Part 1 ++++ (1.52)

13. Star Finds Sun And Moon Part 2 ** (1.44)

14. Homesick ++ (2.12)

15. Laura At The Rescue ++++ (2.35)

16. Star Is Free ++++ (1.06)

17. Flying Bow ++++ (3.21)

18. Flying In The Rain +++ (1.39)

19. Laura Finds Star ++++ (4.02)

20. Sun And Moon Ballet ** (2.06)

21. Finale + (6.44) Excellent Track

22. Touch The Sky: Wonderwall (3.54) Excellent Track

23. Lullaby *** (2.20)

* Written by Nick Glennie-Smith

** Written by Henning Lohner

*** Written by Hans Zimmer

+ Written by Nick Glennie-Smith & Hans Zimmer

++ Written by Henning Lohner & Hans Zimmer

+++ Written by Henning Lohner & Nick Glennie-Smith

++++ Written by Henning Lohner, Hans Zimmer & Nick Glennie-Smith

Total Length: 69.00

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

=== Link to Composer Sites: Hans Zimmer & Nick Glennie-Smith ===