Canadian brothers Mychael and Jeff Danna, each accomplished composers in their own rights, possess a unique synergy when they join forces, as heard in both their film scores (Fracture, Lakeview Terrace) and standalone compositions (A Celtic Romance).
Their rich ethnic sensibilities are their strongest stylistic traits, as heard in their solo efforts (Nativity Story, Water, The Gospel of John) and now in their latest collaboration, the score for Terry Gilliam's wildly imaginative The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
Slavic and Romani Styles in Dannas' Fantasy Soundtrack
Existing almost exclusively in the brooding minor-key depths of a distinctly Eastern-European musical idiom, the Dannas' score for Parnassus is a sinuous and richly ornamented fantasy score of surprising clarity, rounding out a standard orchestral ensemble with low-end piano strikes and rumbles, as well as prominent Slavic-flavored roles for violin, woodwinds, accordian and cimbalom.
Twinkling glockenspiel, xylophone, harp glissandos and chimes provide the necessary element of magical, shimmering flourish, though never with an overbearing or cliched emphasis. Instead, the score's truly effective fantasy flavor comes from a compelling blend of its lightly exotic, Gypsy-esque ethnic elements and a nearly sleazy jazz-noir atmosphere, led by silky-smooth saxophone solos.
Themes in Parnassus Score
The score's resulting textural flavor is highly attractive and novel in its own right, but coupled with some satisfying melodic content and thematic development, the score takes on a winning and enticing level of interest and entertainment.
The main theme, introduced immediately on passionate solo cello and giving way to a violin/cimbalom duet in "Once Upon a Time," and book-ending the score in "Parnassus Alone," suggests an air of mystery and wonder infused with loneliness and deep tragedy - the placid minor-key melody is laden with a sort of mature and traditional beauty, elegant but sinister in its dark, isolated progressions.
The theme receives ample airtime throughout the score: a lovely harp variation is heard in “Book & Story,” while a highly entertaining development of it as an action theme is heard accompanied by crashing low piano and snarling brass in “The Tack,” “Escape from the Pub,” “The Ladder World,” and, most powerfully, in “Tony's World Collapses.”
Devious Jazz Themes by Mychael & Jeff Danna
This theme shares about equal space on the score's album with the slow, jazzy saxophone riff which functions as the theme for Tom Waits' portrayal of the Devil. A lazy, carefree and ultimately sleazy idea introduced in “The Monastery,” this theme receives some surprisingly dark and menacing developments, accompanied by deep choir and monumental orchestral crescendos.
Summary
While the entire album proves a distinct and rare delight, many highlights present themselves: the lilting piano, guitar, violin and accordion in the grinning “Tango Amongst the Lilies” proves especially engaging, as does the hypnotic saxophone and piano duet in “The Devil's Dance.”
The short vocal contributions, “We Love Violence” and “We Are the Children of the World,” provide some humorous but ultimately distracting diversions from the larger body of the score.
Overall, the score is a rich and inventive experience on album, effortlessly blending tragic Slavic sensibilities with shifty jazz elements and large-scale fantasy flourishes. Available from Lionsgate Records as a compact disc or from iTunes as an MP3 download, the score exudes a rarely-heard but highly attractive atmosphere with seamless diversity and great class. An entertaining and intriguing listen which comes highly recommended!
David Abraham Dueck - I live in MN and do not surf or collect Hello Kitty paraphernalia. I instead play ice hockey, write articles for my blog, read tons of ...
