Moll Flanders

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

People think about Mark Mancina and remember directly several scores, one of them being Twister. Still, should be including with the windy topper is Moll Flanders. Why many people don't consider that a worthy name has simply got to do with the history of the sound. The movie seemed to run on a low budget because Mark Mancina had to write the score full on synthesizers, that he succeeded to make it enjoyable is solely the credit to the themes and music he wrote for the movie. Mancina has reacted with disappointment and stated that he indeed wanted to use an orchestra, which could have made the score indeed one of the best of the year. Still, the sound or what kind of instrument has never been an argument with me, since I enjoy any kind it if simply is approved by my taste of the mind. Moll Flanders may upset you with this but if doing so, you are ignoring the beauty of Mancina's work, since we have seen doing extraordinary things with an orchestra, Twister is just the one to name an example. Overall, musically there is nothing wrong with the score and makes overall for an extremely enjoyable listening experience.

First of all, though it seems that Mark Mancina's music takes a heap of space on the disc, the score is also extremely filled with classical pieces of music, all used as source music or background music for the movie. Now, I don't know for sure but these pieces do still cost money and I wonder if the re use fees have made the attempt of Mancina not an orchestral but a synthesized one. Anyway, the pieces of classical music are all well known if you have a bit if history in it but I usually skip them, simply because they take a giant space in between and actually create a giant gap between the music of Mancina and the end credits. A shame but skipping them is not a giant problem with CD players anymore. The score by Mancina on the other hand is extremely enjoyable and couldn't ask for a much more pleasing sound. It is not orchestral but it is still attractive and beautiful. The main theme is an attractive piece that accents emotion and love, but also a piece of nature that feels right at home, used in tracks 1, 7 and 19. 'Moll's Jig' is as the name states it an Irish jig and more Tarzan influences are discovered in 'Flesh and Blood'. This is really good that Moll Flanders sounds sometimes like Tarzan since I like that score equally much. To continue with the score, 'Devil Woman' is an interesting one to digest, since it uses some moments distinctly like James Horner's Braveheart (most notably 'The Battle of Stirling'). Horner fans will immediately pick this one up.

'Voyage' is completely soothing since it introduces themes on flute and violin but 10, 11 and 12 are still for me the most pleasing tracks of them all. 'Life Begins' uses a choir and since this one doesn't sound Media Ventures like, it is even more pleasing than before. 'Sparrows' is the album's sole action / tense track which uses good pace rhythms and 'Floria's Choice' has a short but glorious fanfare (heard before in 4). The song of Sarah McLachlan is good but not that special. On the other hand, I find Moll Flanders very special because it simply is a very entertaining listen and one of those scores that doesn't need too much to like it. Of course, people can still complain about the style meaning orchestral versus synthetic but if you do that, you are misplacing Mancina as simply a composer who doesn't like orchestral music. Ridiculous and it also would displace the music as non satisfying. I personally find the score to be very good and offers themes that are easily enjoyable and plain good. If you then like to have more of the emotional and less of the action Mancina sound, then there is nothing that can stop you from enjoying this score to the fullest potential.

\도도/

Tracks

Single Disc

Moll

1. Moll Of Flanders (4.16) Excellent Track

2. Moll's Jig (2.10)

3. Flesh And Blood (3.31)

4. A New World (3.25)

Mrs. Allyworthy

5. Devil Woman (4.46)

The Artist

6. We Were One (1.24)

7. Voyage (1.49)

Hibble

8. Hibble's Tale (1.47)

Flora

9. Life Begins (3.30)

10. Sparrows (3.25) Excellent Track

11. Floria's Choice (1.33) Excellent Track

12. Full Of Grace: Sarah McLachlan (3.37)

13. Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour *+ (4.08)

14. Allegro **++ (5.11)

15. Allegro *** (2.36)

16. Largo *** (3.33)

17. Air **+++ (6.47)

18. Hornpipe And Andante ****++ (8.02)

Moll

19. Moll Reprise (3.03) Excellent Track

* Written by Offenbach

** Written by Bach

*** Written by Vivaldi

**** Written by Handel

+ Performed by L'orchestre de la Suisse Romande

++ Performed by The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

+++ Performed by The English Chamber Orchestra

Total Length: 69.11

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Mark Mancina ===