Nouvelle France

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

One of the few true orchestral artists who can paint beautiful passages of color is Patrick Doyle. And he can do it to drama's of all ages and countries. His latest is Nouvelle France, and he couldn't have supported it any better. Namingly, with warm and lush orchestral underscore and urgent attacking like tones straight ala Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. But the thing is, what's most striking about Nouvelle France is the simple astonishing orchestral growing color, and not the more attacking brass for the action sequences. So when Frankenstein sounded both good in the attacking score as romantic tone, Nouvelle France sounds just exceptional in one category, but then as said exceptional. Not in a long time have I had moments that took me by the throat and made sure I felt the pure heartfelt emotion. It actually opens with a nice suite, but perhaps too early because you're not ready for the themes or sound to come. Still, 'Ouverture' has that warm orchestral European sound, but especially the Doyle touch, the main theme and love theme make appearances, but especially the love theme is not shining yet, that he leaves for the moments to come. 'Bonjour Marie' gives us a brief but playful notion of the love theme and 'Les Hommes de Bigot' is already then catapulting us with some trumpet fanfares, more serious stuff. 'Le Bal / Gavotte & Menuet' is one of those typical but still fetching renaissance waltzes with the strings and harpsichord and naturally feels at place here. But its not after this track you really start to get into the flow of the album, and truly understand the beauty of Doyle's work. Perhaps its got to do with the fact the love theme starts to unveil its beautiful performances, like in 'Des Etoiles dans ma Tęte', already then so beautiful to take hold off, its really one of Doyle's best themes.

Of course, from time to time the tone of the album is getting closer to Frankenstein, like in 'L'intervention d'Angelique' with the typical string maneuvers, or 'Maillard & Marie-Loup' with its more frantic orchestral tone taking the listener somewhere else, as well in 'Bagarre dans la Foręt'. But as said, these are not the moments the score shines, its when the love theme or more romantic passages are painted before our eyes. 'La Lettre' opens with a super light love theme version, then the main theme is heard but its the sudden brilliant love theme return that does the trick. 'La Bataille de Québec' also has the love theme but is soon followed by stirring fanfares. But the highlight still has to come and arrives in 'Les Retrouvailles'. You thought the love theme in track 7 was good? Then you will be literally blown away when you hear it climbing to the grandest climax in this track, Doyle is one of the few who can paint his theme so slowly but perfectly to the finish line, and this is one of those moments. Utterly sensational, I meant it about that throat grasping effect. 'La Berceuse de Marie-Loup' has for a moment a solo vocal through the score while 'Le Destin de Marie-Loup' gives the love theme again some terrific versions, intermingled with more serious drums and horns. Still the effect of this suite is not to be taken lightly. 'La Fin de L'histoire' could have been the final love theme version with light strings, but its actually 'Ma Nouvelle France' that sends it one final way into stardom heaven. Superstar Celine Dion can overdue her ballads (often with the best possible effect) but its the mysterious light voice that now sooths the beauty of the love theme even more. Its especially striking to hear the brilliant voice near a brilliant theme, it makes for true Eurovision magic. But altogether Nouvelle France is equally a brilliant romantic orchestral score, and we have too few of these. Anyone who has trust in Patrick Doyle as a composer will easily like and love the score, so I believe its fair to say the soundtrack is a winner, even for the import costs it takes your winnings back and stores them right in your heart.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Ouverture (7.04)

2. Bonjour Marie (2.35)

3. Les Hommes De Bigot (1.59)

4. Le Bal / Gavotte & Menuet (2.30)

5. Des Etoiles Dans Ma Tęte (2.11) Excellent Track

6. L'intervention d'Angelique (1.12)

7. La Lettre (3.29) Excellent Track

8. La Bataille De Québec (2.38)

9. Nouvelle / France N'est Plus (1.58)

10. Maillard & Marie-Loup (4.22)

11. Les Retrouvailles (4.26) Excellent Track

12. Bagarre Dans La Foręt (1.51)

13. La Berceuse De Marie-Loup (1.35)

14. Le Départ De France (4.18)

15. Le Destin De Marie-Loup (7.40) Excellent Track

16. La Fin De L'histoire (1.49)

17. Ma Nouvelle France: Celine Dion * (3.10) Excellent Track

* Written by Patrick Doyle & Luc Plamondon

Total Length: 54.53

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

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