Gosford Park: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

Patrick Doyle (Composer), Jeremy Northam (Performer), Abigail Doyle (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Jeremy Northam, Abigail Doyle
• Composer: Patrick Doyle
• Audio CD (January 15, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00005UNCB
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,487 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Thematically, director Robert Altman's career sometimes seems an endless series of left turns into the unexpected; the one constant has been a rich and rewarding attention to the intricacies of character development and interaction. Composer Patrick Doyle underscores Gosford Park's Merchant-Ivory/Agatha Christie/Altman-wit fusion and '30s British upper-class setting with a score that's period spot-on, character-rich, and often sadly evocative. Doyle's restraint is masterful, often leaning on piano, accordion, and small string arrangements that emphasize the characters' intimacies and the film's drawing room settings. Key to the story are a handful of prewar songs by Ivor Novello (who's also a character in the film), ranging from the sprightly humor of "And Her Mother Came Too" and "What a Duke Should Be" to the romantic schmaltz of "I Can Give You the Starlight" and "Why Isn't It You?" The latter is performed here at the piano (and, remarkably, live before the cameras) by Jeremy Northam. Leavened by a small jazz ensemble and a few darkly ominous cues, Doyle's score is an understated gem. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the movie, December 8, 2004

By	S. Grooms (St Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Many people, I believe, buy a soundtrack because they are mesmerized by the movie and want to extend the experience by listening to something that reminds them of it. But "Gosford Park" is hardly that kind of movie. It is brilliant and atmospheric as it analyzes the British class system, but that's hardly the kind of thing that wins the heart. The soundtrack of this movie was my favorite CD from last year, and the reasons I liked it had nothing to do with the movie.

Why is this music so compelling and winning?

First, it is fun to discover the marvellous talent of Ivor Norvello. His music is half of the charm of the soundtrack. Some songs are funny ("Her mother came too"), some beautiful ("I can give you the starlight") and some poignant ("The land of might have been"). I had not encountered Norvello before this film. Jeremy Northam's perfect delivery of Norvello's songs would not leave me after I'd seen the film. Days later, I found the songs had taken up residence in the back of my head, insisting that I go back to the soundtrack to make them a permanent part of my musical life.

Second, there is the charm of the orchestral music composed by Patrick Doyle. Sometimes people wonder "why aren't they writing beautiful classical music any more?" Well, they are. It goes into soundtracks, however, rather than being commissioned by orchestras. The test for the quality of Doyle's compositions is that you don't need to refer to the film to appreciate this music. It simply charms and intrigues us with its own merits.

My third reason for loving this CD is too personal to mention here.

I give this CD my highest personal recommendation.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Purchase Even If You Haven't Seen the Movie, April 22, 2002

By A Customer

I saw the movie, Gosford Park, and I thought it was good-- it deserved the acclaim it got, but I will wait a few years before seeing it again.

On the other hand, the song, The Land of Might-Have-Been, mesmerized me. I had never heard of Ivor Novello before the movie, and I knew I had to buy this CD just for this song. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I have started to enjoy the other songs on the CD, too. All the songs that Jeremy Northam performs on this CD make this worth purchase. I Can Give You the Starlight is well-done, but the two novelty numbers (And Her Mother Came Too... and If You Wonder What a Duke Should Be) are guaranteed to give you a grin.

I am not a fan of instrumental music-- I really like lyrics. However, the instrumental music on this CD is wonderful while you are working on other things at your computer. This is especially true in the case of Waltz of My Heart.

I had never heard of Ivor Novello, but I can assure you that I will purchase more of his music. If you have parents who are over 60, I think this would make a very good gift for Mother's Day or Father's Day. They will love it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, February 3, 2002

By	lilibethfromsf "lilibethfromsf" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

I don't usually buy soundtracks, but music was such an integral part of the experience of seeing this movie that I just had to get the CD. It is wonderful. The highlights, of course, are the Ivor Novello songs, which Jeremy Northam (what a surprise) sang so very well. His style and phrasing were just so appropriate for the period that it was almost like stepping back in time and listening to all those vintage Coward songs as sung by stars of yesteryear. I was not very familiar with Novello songs before this movie, but I am quite a fan now. As for the rest (by Patrick Doyle), they were quite complementary to the period and the story, while standing out on their own as wonderful pieces. I've played this CD incessantly since I bought it. (I've also seen the movie twice, and just like the CD, it bears repeating.) I highly recommend both this CD and the movie.