The Queen [SOUNDTRACK]

Alexandre Desplat (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Alexandre Desplat (Conductor), Alison Stephens (Performer), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), David Arch (Performer), Lynne Dawson (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Alison Stephens, David Arch, Lynne Dawson
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Alexandre Desplat
• Composer: Alexandre Desplat, Giuseppe Verdi
• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Milan Records
• ASIN: B000I0QJK2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,001 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A film about the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Tony Blair in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death had potential for a pretty turgid soundtrack, but fortunately director Stephen Frears called on Alexandre Desplat. The Frenchman has emerged as a composer with a light touch (recall his score for Syriana ) and his work here, while not his best, doesn’t disappoint either. Whether out of financial limitations or personal preference, Desplat tends to write relatively minimal scores. This one is appropriately downcast but even when titles trumpet intent ("Mourning," River of Sorrow") the music is elegant and even suggests a dark humor at times (the waltz "Elizabeth & Tony," accompanied by shivering violins and the occasional harp). Desplat also makes good use of a jaunty harpsichord on "People’s Princess I" and the old-fashioned, Hitchcockian-sounding "The Queen Drives." The disc concludes with Verdi’s "Libera Me," in the version performed at Diana’s funeral.--Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A score fit for a queen..., October 20, 2006

By	jto "apsht!" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

In a modern film about a modern queen it is only appropriate that Desplat does not give us the majestic score that would be present in a historical film. Instead, he is able to mimick Mirren's portray of Her Majesty with humor, grace, and tradition. The inclusion of Verdi's "Libera Me" is understandable and even more fitting as the closing track. The entire CD is a complement to the film and a compliment to the Queen herself.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Subdued Yet Vibrant, March 27, 2007

A Kid's Review

Alexandre Desplat is among one of the least known and if I may say, underrated composers in Hollywood. With his score for "The Queen" he flourishes and brings a new realm to the story of Helen Mirren's fantastic performance.

The opening track "The Queen" begins very low then rises up into a majestic theme with brass horns then quiets down into a sweet melody of violins and harps. The opening track is essentially a preview of what the album is about, subdued yet rich melodies.

In "The People's Princess I," we hear a very prominent harpsichord playing away as drums, harps, violins, violas, and cellos all join in . . . this track sounds awfully a lot like a chase scene on its own. However, the melodies with the harps and the violas above the quiet bass heavy instruments, "THe People's Princess I" is among one of the most unique tracks on this album.

The album closes with a lament, "Libera Me." While not being rather a big fan of Verdi, I find this track to be very rich and aptly closes this album as it was sung during the funeral of Princess Diana of Wales.

Alexandre Desplat delivers a truly unique score to a majestic and magnificent film. Although much of this music is very quiet and almost to the point of being background music, his rich melodies and varied themes in these tracks bring a new dimension to the world of "The Queen."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful new voice in film music, March 11, 2007

By	John Williams (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews

Hopefully we'll hear a lot in the future of Alexandre Desplat, because he's a very nice new colour in the realm of film music. His score for the Queen is majestic, sophisticated and haunting, beautiful, moving and elevating. It deserves all appreciation and is well worth listening to on and on again. Bravo maestro, I highly recommend it to all.