Elizabeth: The Golden Age

by Justin Bielawa   ·    January 1, 2009

Craig Armstrong and A.R. Rahman are not the first two composers who would normally come to mind to score a period movie. Not that either of them is ill suited in talent, but their respective filmography and prior experiences don’t seem to lend to the idea. And yet – here they both are, working side-by-side on a single project. The result is both dazzling and bland, lush and emotionally stunted. No trick is left on the table, and yet all it seems to be is trickery without much substance.

The album explodes with solo violinist Clio Gould playing against a full orchestra and choir. To say the track is overwhelming is an understatement, especially considering the dour sound of the original movie’s Oscar winning score. So expressive is that introduction that the rest of the album seems to suffer from the same loving detail that makes “Opening” so spectacular – and this is what makes the score good instead of great. Wailing women, male choir, female choir, ethnic percussionists, electronics, lush string orchestra arrangements… seemingly every possible musical idea gets used and the result is inspired if short-sighted. Cohesion is lost in the breadth of the work.

Aside from the opening, parts of the album work very well individually – “Love Theme” is wonderfully understated and tender in its temperament and “Closing” has an appropriate feeling of finale. Bells playing against choral splendor lends its self a good punch to end the album, yet much of it seems to be punch after punch after punch, by the end it all wears too thick on the size and too thin on the weight.

Rahman and Armstrong should be commended for creating such a singular work. At no one point can it be said that its obvious who composed what music, and the score is the result of both their incredible talents. The score will be fine if you’re looking for a quick fix of epic music, but with its need to climax musically every three minutes, Elizabeth: The Golden Age comes with trepidation.

TRACKS

2. Opening
4. Philip
6. Now You Grow Dull
8. Horseriding
10. Immensities
12. Bess And Raleigh Dance
14. Mary's Beheading
16. End Puddle / Possible Suitors
18. War / Realisation
20. Destiny Theme
22. Smile Lines
24. Bess To See Throckmorton
26. Dr. Dee Part 1
28. Horseback Address
30. Battle
32. Love Theme
34. Divinity Theme
36. Storm
38. Walsinghame Death Bed
40. Closing