Children of Men (Original Motion Picture Score) [Soundtrack]

John Tavener (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: John Tavener
• Audio CD (December 12, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B000K7UGZW
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,163 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Fragments Of A Prayer (15:23)Composed and Conducted by John Tavener

2. Eternity's Sunrise (10:54)Composed by John Tavener

3. "War, He Sung, Is Toil And Trouble" from Alexander's Feast (4:43)Composed by G.F. Handel

4. Mahler: Nun Will Die Sonn' So Hell Aufgeh'n [Kindertotenlieder] (5:32)Composed by Gustav Mahler, Text by Friedrich Rückert

5. Threnody For The Victims Of Hiroshima (1959-61) (9:57)Composed and Conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki

6. Song Of The Angel (4:37)Composed by John Tavener

7. The Lamb (For String Orchestra) (3:20)Composed by John Tavener

8. Mother And Child (12:39)Composed by John Tavener

9. Mother Of God, Here I Stand (For String Orchestra) (3:32)Composed by John Tavener

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Significant Music from a Significant Film, March 29, 2007

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Children of Men (Original Motion Picture Score) (Audio CD)

John Tavener was the perfect choice as the composer to create the musical score for the film CHILDREN OF MEN. Much of the music used throughout the film (songs like 'Ruby Tuesday' etc) are well enough known that they don't require re-recording in this memoir of a deeply moving film. But it is the opportunity to listen without the visuals to the music Tavener created 'that brings an even deeper appreciation for his accomplishment.

In addition to Tavener's own compositions this CD includes the Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau rendering of Mahler's 'Nun Will Die Sonn' So Hell Aufgeh'n' from the 'Kindertotenlieder' (a more apt song cycle could not be imagined for this childless film) as well as Krzysztof Penderecki's 'Threnody For The Victims Of Hiroshima' as conducted by the composer and Handel's excerpt from 'Alexander's Feast' ('War, he sung, is toil and trouble').

But the remainder of the works - 'Fragments Of A Prayer', 'Eternity's Sunrise', 'Song Of The Angel', 'The Lamb' and Mother of God, Here I Stand' (For String Orchestra), and 'Mother And Child' - are pure Tavener, works that speak a spiritual language that provides some of the only sense of hope of future in the film. This is a superb collection of music for all those who appreciate not only Tavener's work but also his ability to bring together such fitting works to undermine a film such as this. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, March 07

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime Listening, August 24, 2007

By 

JFAlford (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children of Men (Original Motion Picture Score) (Audio CD)

Fans of Sir John Tavener, whether they see this movie or not, will certainly want to add this to their collections. While the movie puts the tension and emotion to good use, one can easily draw the same emotional impact from the disc itself. The nine pieces on this disc are as thoughtful selections for setting the feel of a movie that you are likely to find. Special kudos go for the inclusion of Krzysztof Penderecki's Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima. This piece for 50 or so strings has to be one of the most accurate and chilling musical portrayals ever composed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, August 4, 2009

By 

Chawks64 (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Children of Men (Original Motion Picture Score) (Audio CD)

The music on this soundtrack is simply beautiful. In particular, 'Mother of God, Here I Stand' and 'The Lamb' will make you stop whatever you are doing just to soak up more of the sound. It's absolutely one of my favorite CDs.