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PAN'S LABYRINTH

 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Composer: Javier Navarrete
Label:
Milan Records
Release Date: December 19 2006
Links:

www.milanrecords.com/index.php


www.panslabyrinth.com/

 

 



TRACK LISTING
1
Long, Long Time Ago
2
The Labyrinth
3
Rose, Dragon
4
The Fairy and the Labyrinth
5
Three Trials
6
The Moribund Tree and the Toad
7
Guerrilleros
8
A Book of Blood
9
Mercedes Lullaby
10
The Refuge
11
Not Human
12
The River
13
A Tale
14
Deep Forest
15
Vals of the Mandrake
16
The Funeral
17
Mercedes
18
Pan and the Full Moon
19
Ofelia
20
A Princess
21
Pan's Labyrinth Lullaby

REVIEW

This may just be Spanish composer Javier Navarrete’s big break. Just look what winning a Best Oscar score for Brokeback Mountain (2005) did for Argentinean musician Gustavo Santaolalla – he is now well-recognized, and is back with another Academy Award-nominated score for Babel (2006).

Also in this yer’s Oscar race is Navarrete for his composition on the critically acclaimed fantasy drama set in fascist Spain. But unlike the overrated film, this soundtrack album is definitely a class on its own.

Like a lullaby, the 74-minute disc kicks off with a hypnotic “Long, Long Time Ago” where the main theme is introduced with wondrous effect. The waltz rhythm on the lonely tinkling piano is accompanied by a seven-note motif before it gradually builds up to its luscious best. The melody provided by the humming girl also works well in a fantasy score like this.

The rest of the tracks are aptly named, like the chapters of a storybook where readers follow to uncover more about the mysterious tale.

The signature feel of the soundtrack is characterized by its orchestral voice, where strings flow freely amidst Navarrete’s mellow compositions. The piano is an obligatory instrument here. There are also occasional wisps of the flute, the clarinet and other brasses in tracks like “The Refuge” and “Mercedes”.

Action cues are aplenty in this soundtrack too, given the dramatic elements of the film. “Guerrilleros”, “Not Human” and “Deep Forest” provide the pacing needed in a score album like this. An exceptional track is “The Moribund Tree and the Toad” where an exotic percussion sound is introduced two-third into its seven-minute duration - a gem indeed.

This disc is recommended for its consistency in thematic style and its approach in scoring for the visual medium. The music is composed with richness that warrants for repeated listening. Each time will stand as an experience on its own, and that’s a good enough reason for soundtrack fans to include this album in their collection.

As for Navarette, we sure hope he gets the recognition he deserves with this composition.

 

SOUNDTRACK RATING:

Review by John Li

 

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ABOUT THE MOVIE


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This soundtrack review is made possible with the kind support from Warner Music

 


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