A Little Princess

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Patrick Doyle has scored some beauties in his career, but I feel however that A Little Princess is more then simply beautiful. It is simply astonishing to hear such a brilliant theme and when its performed in its most fullest orchestral form it can only make you smile. Together on the soundtrack combined with a full blown action piece and some lovely and playful waltzes, it makes for more then you ever dreamed for. It is the begin that simply builds upon these waltzes and some of the East Indian music, fitting with the setting because the movie explores the boundaries of these settings in the begin and during the movie portrayed as visions and stories. The use of the London Children's choir is effective though sparsely used by Doyle, the first appearance is found in the eight track 'Angel Wings'. The begin of the score uses many short moments, sometimes even noticed for 50 or 30 seconds, 'Children Running' and 'Tyger Tyger' for instance. However, the waltz found in the 3rd track is hugely impressive, it has so much heart and Doyle's classical sound offers more then I ever hoped for. The choir is used more during the middle section and supports the more emotional sections, this represents the hard time when Emilia finds out that her father, though not true is dead. It is not until the 19th track that the music becomes utterly gorgeous, first with the song performed by the main character of the movie, Liesel Matthews.

Think of the song in Hook, same thing. It is very good though sometimes like in Hook little Matthews can not support each note on the clearest way. This only during the last track, because it seems that Doyle's daughter is performing the song during the 19th track. But then the main theme is used much and more importantly in grand orchestral style. These moments, you have to treasure them because to date they are the most enchanting melodies ever written by Doyle, a true winner on its occasions. Tracks such as 'Touched by an Angel', 'Papa!' and 'The Goodbye' offer stunning versions of the main theme. But aside from the soft approach there is one moment of full blown action music, preferring the daring escape and quite frankly seriously dangerous as portrayed in the movie, this piece goes on the same way as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Needful Things and is one dazzling piece, like only Doyle could write it. Perhaps you will notice that the score hasn't got enough highlights as usual, but it does mean in advance that the underscore or lighter portions are more then good, and those brilliant moments really do stand as simply gorgeous portions of score. I really had to try this score out more then often, and don't be discouraged when you're not happy with the first approach, try again and I strongly promise that one day that spark will hit. Especially for Doyle fans, A Little Princess is a must to have.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Rayamana: A Morning Raga (2.02)

2. Children Running (0.53)

3. Cristina Elisa Waltz (3.00) Excellent Track

4. The Miss Minchin School For Girls (1.38)

5. Knowing You By Heart (2.32)

6. Breakfast (0.55)

7. Letter To Papa (1.38)

8. Angel Wings (1.06)

9. False Hope (2.04)

10. The Trenches *** (1.00)

11. Crewe And The Soldier (1.22)

12. Alone (1.19)

13. The Attic (1.59)

14. On Another's Sorrow (1.16)

15. The Shawl (0.54)

16. Tyger Tyger (0.31)

17. Compassion (0.36)

18. For The Princess (1.36)

19. Kindle My Heart * (3.00) Excellent Track

20. The Locket Hunt (3.00)

21. Midnight Tiptoe (1.11)

22. I Am A Princess (1.14)

23. Just Make Believe (1.33)

24. Touched By An Angel (1.42) Excellent Track

25. Emilia Elopes (1.37)

26. The Escape (2.58) Excellent Track

27. Papa! (2.31) Excellent Track

28. The Goodbye ** (4.20) Excellent Track

* Performed by Abigail Doyle

** Performed by Liesel Matthews

*** Extract from Adagio Quintet in C Major Opus 88 by M. Haydn

Total Length: 49.43

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

=== Link to Composer Site: Patrick Doyle ===