Le Petit Poucet

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

One of the first European scores renowned composer Joe Hisaishi composed was Little Tom Thumb, or Le Petit Poucet in France. A well known story told all over Europe. Olivier Dahan decided to make a movie about it, not specifically aimed at children because it holds many dangerous darker moments, and especially not a lot of cheerful moments but it sure brings back fond memories for adults who want to relive the adventure once again. Dahan brought Hisaishi to the project and while understandable still somewhat strange, for a French movie to hold a Japanese composer's touch is somewhat strange, but the overall European warmth was always present in Hisaishi's voice anyway, its translated to the musical core of the story in a flash. As ever Hisaishi has got a distinct voice but not a forgettable one because his scores are full of ideas, sub themes and above all a flair only the man can create. With Le Petit Poucet he just shows it to me again, perhaps a bit less accessible then his much acclaimed Spirited Away of the same year (because of the more darker score moments), the soundtrack still holds many charming moments where one single theme just makes all the fuzz. The film is brought to life and to a close through a song based on the main theme, and what better way to accustom the French warmth in it then to hire Vanessa Paradis to bring it all to life, with 'Close your Eyes' in English and 'La Lune Brille Pour Toi' in French the theme is warm (typical Hisaishi) and the voice enchanting over it. These are welcome and lovely pieces that bring the score and story truly to life. With his orchestral version of the theme in 'Main Theme' the score is brought to motion, in it the typical warm structure of Hisaishi is heard, with the expected piano and flutes. 'Rose's Forest' starts with percussion but the enchanting light magical touch soon starts to unravel, piano, bells and flutes all create the flair of the composer.

What Hisaishi sure does excel in is when he creates sub themes and starts to let them build the moment. 'The Pillagers Attack' is one example where a faster and angrier rhythm is achieved, its not a great theme but an effective and good one still, 'Wolves!' carries a better theme in the end and how Hisaishi just builds upon it makes him a master in it. Its a feisty piece. Other moments include the more softer mood but not forgotten beauty, 'On the Road of White Stones' with piano and soft percussion leading to a romantic blossoming theme, or a wonderful harp led and orchestral pleasing version of that theme in 'Lost', its in the end truly enchanting. Other moods are more darker and on edge, with 'The Red House' creating even a choral feeling, on edge especially due to the strings, recapitulated more angrier in 'The Ogre', reaching attacking strings and loud brass creating almost a Psycho feeling. The Pillagers theme returns in the duo tracks 'The Red Forest' and 'Between the Ogre and the Cliff', in the first setting the best version at its display with a more feisty charm but also a finishing touch. 'The Duel' leads to a more brassy finish while the finishing galore is for 'The Queen's Messenger', bringing this time more relieving choir in a trumpet version of the theme with bells. 'Close your Eyes' brings back Vanessa Paradis and a much longer orchestral version (therefore pleasing) of the theme. This together shows again the quality of Joe Hisaishi's work, truly a master in theme creating and above all setting down a certain charm and fantasy magic, and after his other winning albums, Le Petit Poucet is no different. As said, due to its darker nature perhaps a bit less suited then his Spirited Away (that one also having a little bit more creativity) but in fairness, the many moments when Hisaishi unleashes here the wonderful Paris Philharmonic Orchestra are aplenty, and despite the title's name are not little in effect. Recommended!

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Close Your Eyes: Vanessa Paradis * (2.28)

2. Main Theme (3.53)

3. Rose's Forest (4.23)

4. The Pillagers Attack (5.56)

5. On The Road Of White Stones (3.44)

6. Lost (2.19) Excellent Track

7. The Golden Coins (1.34)

8. Wolves! (3.40) Excellent Track

9. The Red House (4.53)

10. At The Ogre's Dinner (2.54)

11. The Private Secrets (1.30)

12. The Ogre (2.23)

13. The Red Forest (2.51) Excellent Track

14. Between The Ogre And The Cliff (2.08)

15. The Duel (2.43)

16. The Queen's Messenger (2.08) Excellent Track

17. Close Your Eyes (4.29) Excellent Track

18. La Lune Brille Pour Toi: Vanessa Paradis * (4.28)

* Written by Olivier Dahan & Joe Hisaishi

Total Length: 58.11

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=== Link to Composer Site: Joe Hisaishi ===