Merry Christmas

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Merry Christmas or Joyeux Noël is a celebrated French production which was nominated for Best foreign film and captured many hearts because of its wonderful unique story, which was even based on true events. The basic plot of soldiers fighting against each other celebrating Christmas eve together is a rare touched item and the flawless transition from true stories to an emotional lavish production is captivating alone on that part, bordering the Hollywood line of perfection to the degree it was and will be a beloved movie for years to come. With European films often comes the opportunity for a European composer to step onboard and make the leap from obscurity to certainty. And Philippe Rombi has perhaps done just that. Known in homeland France for writing music for many dramas and comedies, this opportunity was not one he wanted to miss, and with the assistance of the renowned London Symphony Orchestra and celebrated artists like soprano Natalie Dessay and tenor Rolando Villazón at his disposal, it was a clear sign how important the music was going to be. In fact, music is the binding factor that holds everything together in Merry Christmas, since it was music that brought the soldiers together on that evening and that many felt for one second the same emotion as the French, Scottish or German soldier fighting that day not for winning the war, but for regaining humanity and hope. And that's why Rombi had a special time re orchestrating and conducting famous classical and inspiring pieces as 'Ave Maria', 'Silent Night' and 'Adeste Fideles' to this story's backbone. In this using the talents aplenty of soprano Dessay and tenor Villazón. Villazón especially shows his cunning in 'Adeste Fideles', where he and the orchestra grow to excellent classical standards. That the score is partly classical is a fact and perhaps for several a burden. I'm not especially fond of classical music, but the inclusion here is not to be questioned. They feel, breath and put Merry Christmas into a different atmosphere, and the mood alone around these pieces make you believe you are listening to them on the battlefield that very same night.

How much you try to dislike them or can't sing with them, they are an integrate part of the story and especially CD. This especially for the duet of Dessay and Villazón in 'Bist Du Bei Mir', a wonderful piece that puts you immediately in the mood. For the score, Rombi kept things more emotionally softer then perhaps some expected. He doesn't use the full powerful sound of the London Symphony for bombast but he creates the emotional link around the story. And the score perhaps creates an emotional sound, its the fact its been done so well with love and precision. And there is where Merry Christmas succeeds yet again. In 'Overture' he brings forth 2 new themes, the Fraternizer's theme (main theme) which I'll come back at later and a pre War theme performance, letting here the orchestra grow to louder but again emotional standards. You don't notice the obvious things about these 2 themes until you hear them in their respected tracks. Its however a powerful felt opening of emotion. With 'Fraternizers' Hymn (Piano)' he brings this theme forth on piano while 'War' shows the war theme growing ever so softly forward. And here you will immediately spot it, the fact perhaps Rombi and director Christian Carion didn't want a bombastic war score has perhaps got to do because here the score sounds utterly faithful to 'Journey to the line' of The Thin Red Line. It will remain an influential piece for people to copy because Zimmer put the emotion so down to a war scene like none other could accomplish, its no surprise it appears here in the same growing softness of flutes and eerie strings, here the drums however give it a more militaristic feel and the conclusion is not as powerful as Zimmer's piece, but it sure tries damn effectively to recopy it. In 'Soldier's Burial' the bagpipes and Rombi's piano movements add again soft emotion to a scene and while its all been done before one way or another, it nonetheless works again. The strings rise gently, making this happen with full effect. The middle part of the score remains soft and moody, either reprising the Fraternizer's theme ('The Football Match' along with brief harmonica) or the Thin Red Line somberness ('The Bishop's Sermon').

Its not until the end that this score again comes to full emotional impact, how soft it may be. 'War Adagio' reminds me more of Platoon due to its stirring impact of the strings (using parts of the main and war theme) while 'The Absence Theme' is sadly a little boring at times, creating for 7 minutes piano first and later solo violin melodies that create a feel of sadness but it lasts too long to really enjoy it. That's however the third theme (not immediately noticeable) and it portrays loss and despair. In 'Fraternizer's Theme "I'm Dreaming of Home"' the theme is more a composition of peace and freedom, a touch of hope and it puts the meaning into the quality of this version, where Dessay and choir (The Belgian Scala choir) add an unseen magic and class to this hymn, a class which you feel and breath through. Here however I noticed for the first time the theme reminded me so much of Hook's song 'When you're Alone' and despite this being true, I feel its becoming a theme on its own. 'Aria for Violin and Orchestra' is a warm piece of solo violin and orchestra and doesn't outstay its welcome while the main theme returns with this time soft murmuring choir leading it to its glorious finish. After more and more listens, the soft quality of Merry Christmas comes true. Call it a Thin Red Line feel score, neither having the force nor the thunder to blast us away, but while Zimmer's piece was more eerie mood but reality, Merry Christmas becomes the emotional soft link that supports the quiet unsaid feelings of either party of soldiers. A generous long release capturing alongside it a wonderful booklet of informative liner notes, and a DVD with recording sessions footage from film and music and a trailer, Merry Christmas might not be food for everyone, but its as effective as Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line, it just feels different. Rombi however proved he could handle the task admirably and its a score that feels and sounds much more Oscar worthy then a winner I don't want to repeat from the same year.

\µµµµ/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Ave Maria (4.24)

2. Overture (4.05) Excellent Track

3. Fraternizers' Hymn (Piano) (1.26)

4. Anna And Nikolaus (2.06)

5. War (5.59) Excellent Track

6. Soldier' Burial (3.04)

7. Bist Du Bei Mir (4.02)

8. Silent Night (4.15)

9. Jonathan's Letter (0.51)

10. Ponchel's Memories (1.18)

11. The Football Match (1.49)

12. The Bishop's Sermon (3.13)

13. The Soldier's Mail (1.32)

14. War Adagio (5.07) Excellent Track

15. The Absence Theme (7.11)

16. Fraternizer's Theme "I'm Dreaming Of Home" (4.24) Excellent Track

17. Adeste Fideles (4.15)

18. Invitations "I'm Dreaming Of Home" (2.57)

19. Anna And Nikolaus (2.29)

20. Aria For Violin And Orchestra (3.59)

21. Fraternizer's Hymn (Murmurs and Vocalises) (4.25) Excellent Track

Total Length: 73.13

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