Ladies in Lavender [SOUNDTRACK]

Nigel Hess (Artist), Joshua Bell (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 26, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00080EUNA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,148 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The screenwriting/directing debut of veteran British stage and screen actor Charles Dance tells of a pair of Cornish spinsters (Judi Dench and Maggie Smith) who discover a charismatic young Polish violin virtuoso castaway (Daniel Bruhl) on the beach below their home. The tale leads inexorably to tender romantic conflicts and a warm concert house finale. Composer Nigel Hess masterfully utilizes his background as Music Director and House Composer for the Royal Shakespeare Company to conjure a score that evokes its quiet, emotional dignity via neo-classical orchestral arrangements that feature real life young virtuoso Joshua Bell on solo violin. Hess' intimate original compositions form a virtually seamless tapestry with the story's requisite classical repertory choices, which range from Massenet and Debussy to Bell's delightful variations on Paganini's "The Carnival of Venice." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure bliss, July 8, 2005

By	Robert Petersen (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This soundtrack, with solo violin playing by Joshua Bell is a must have for anyone enjoys Classical Music. If you've seen the film, you will know what I mean. Nigel Hess' original composition :Fantasy for violin and orchestra, featured at the end of the movie is beautiful indeed.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite, December 14, 2005

By	J. Whitney "Canada Fan" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This film is wonderful and the soundtrack will take your breath away. I purchased it mainly because I love the finale piece in the movie entitled "Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra" Nigel Hesse and Joshua Bell's collaboration has produced a glorious soundtrack that highlights Joshua's immense talent with the violin and Hesse's brilliance as a composer. I can truthfully say this is the best soundtrack in my collection.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Love on the Coast of Cornwall, December 8, 2005

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rarely do movie soundtrack recordings bring a great deal of satisfaction other than restoring memories of a particular favorite film. The LADIES IN LAVENDER Soundtrack is an exception in that it not only benefits from the splendid playing of violinist Joshua Bell, but it also happens to have some very fine music composed for the film by Nigel Hess. For those who have enjoyed the film, the closing credits are accompanied by Hess' title song 'Ladies in Lavender', a soaring melody for violin and orchestra that captures all the tenderness and beauty of the story.

The soundtrack includes some classical works such as Meditation From Thais, Variations on Carnivale in Venice, Introduction And Tarantella, and even Hess' own Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra which provides the moving conclusion concert of the story. Hess wisely weaves Cornish music and folk songs such as The Girl with the Flaxen Hair that so ably set the atmosphere and mood for the film. On screen the handsome young Daniel Bruhl played Andrea, the Polish violinist who is the focal point of affection of the ladies (the incomparable Judi Dench and Maggie Smith), and studied bowing techniques well: his 'performing appearance' is excellent. Yet the true musical star of both the film and this recording is the gifted and handsome young Joshua Bell. The score and performances are a delight. Grady Harp, December 05