The Last Valley

2 years after John Barry's mystical but equally dark epic The Lion in Winter, The Last Valley shows up from nowhere. Meaning, I never knew this score or film was created because I heard not one soul mentioning it to me. But this is going to change because I'm gonna tell it to you know. Just as The Lion in Winter, it received a re recording and basically received its form to make sure why it deserved that fact in the first place. It also is blessed with this choral side that John Barry at times used too less during his scores, or at least through the ones I heard of him before. This score is a bit less brutal in its force, a bit more mystifying but is equally enchanting when it needs to be. The Lion in Winter had at the end a moment where everything seemed to stop while a majestic choral moment graced itself to be the finale. Here this moment is non choral accompanied but it is probably one of the best love theme performances he's written in his career. This solely makes The Last Valley an experience that not only shows the stature of Barry already that early in his compositions, but equally well the pride that the new recording received through it.

Begin and end are loaded with choral power, at least that's how they feel. 'The Last Valley: Main Titles (Part 1)' bursts to live with the choir accompanying a march but between the two performances there is a short Latin chant, which doesn't show itself chorally in the last track. Still an impressive start to say the least. The Last Valley does pick up some trademarks that were surprisingly lacking in The Lion in Winter, Barry trademarks that would later appear for instance in Bond scores. 'Entry Into the Last Valley' states for the first time the love theme, and what a theme it is. Strings create this full wonder theme and the choir is as mystifying as it appeared throughout The Lion in Winter. Here, the performance is light but it doesn't stay that way for long. In 'Vogel's Dream / The Last Valley' the theme becomes much more enchanting and in 'Death of Captain / End Title' it simply receives this stunning epic feel when horns make it simply irresistible for the human ear. This moment alone makes the score a winner for Barry fans or those that love his style. Also reminiscent to The Lion in Winter is the use of songs, here 3 songs crop up and the one is significantly better than the other. Still, the non song track 'The Giving Away of the Women / An Offertory Chant' is much more enjoyable then those 3 are, which in my book says something.

What we further can say of several moments is for instance the dark dramatic music that unleashes its wings. 'The Villagers Fight for the Shrine' is not directly action music but it does show itself to be more powerful with the drum slashes and the occasional choir. 'Hansen Tries to Murder Captain' is seriously powerful in the way that it represents danger and 'Witchcraft / Erica is Burned at the Stake' is more the emotionally dark winner that receives at times a chilling choral accompaniment, at least with the visuals this particular moment must hit notes. Altogether, The Last Valley is a great score, not super great since it has still several moments that I really cannot connect to but it is nonetheless stunning in every respect. The main theme which is only used in begin and end is loud but excellent and the love theme alone makes this a recommendable score for Barry fans all over the world. So, people that loved what The Lion in Winter was giving them and want simply more of the same stuff will see The Last Valley as another graceful entry into the collection. As said before, not super great but enough to give you Barry momentum on that cold snowy night.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. The Last Valley: Main Titles (Part 1) (3.05) Excellent Track

2. The Rape Of Khutai (0.51)

3. The Plague Pit (2.08)

4. Entry Into The Last Valley (3.00)

5. "Who Not Winter In The Valley?" / The Death Of Eskesen (4.36)

6. An Evening Song (2.07)

7. Captain Meets Erica / Winning Erica (2.17)

8. The Villagers Fight For The Shrine (2.58)

9. The Priest Prays For Guidance / The Shrine (3.12)

10. Vogel's Dream / The Last Valley (2.45) Excellent Track

11. The Giving Away Of The Women / An Offertory Chant (2.36)

12. Hansen Tries To Murder Captain (1.19)

13. A Children's Song (1.45)

14. Graf Returns / Mountain Skirmish / The Village Attack (3.15)

15. Departure For Rhinefelden (2.54)

16. A Christmas Song (2.51)

17. Witchcraft / Erica Is Burned At The Stake (3.33)

18. Vogel Leaves The Valley (1.44)

19. Night Battle At Rhinefelden (1.12)

20. Death Of Captain / End Title (5.01) Excellent Track

21. The Last Valley: Main Titles (Part 2) (3.29) Excellent Track

Total Length: 56.51

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Barry ===