"The Nativity Story" by Mychael Danna is a soundtrack that offers as well balanced a score that you'll hear in 2006.  Music fans should rejoice.

 

The film, as I am sure you all know, takes a historic approach toward the birth of Jesus.  The set pieces, the characters and the wardrobe are simply authentic and wonderful in the film.  Adding even more substance is the work of Danna, who creates a score with wonderful textures and thematic nods.  It has a timely feel, and indeed, a lot of research went into the music and instruments of the era that the film is set in.   However, all that would be for naught if the music itself did not deliver.  So the question is, did the score work?  The answer to that question is quite simply, yes.

 

It would have been real easy for Danna to take an easy way out by creating a standard holiday score with all the fare we are used to.  Instead, he takes on a dramatic direction with a varied blend of instruments to create music that not only enhances the film but also offers an engaging listening experience apart from it.  Case in point is the music that leads Joseph and Mary into Bethlehem, which offers an amazing statement of Christmas music.  What makes it even more unique is that the notes are heard during a dramatic moment in time within the movie.  While I am used to hearing the caroling notes in more festive moments, here Danna takes us right to the time that inspired the music.  It's a moment that offers goose bumps.

 

The score takes on even more epic proportions during the birth scene.  The music reaches a climax that is satisfying and moving, offering a worthy accompaniment for such a moment in the film.  One could expect that the birth scene should indeed be epic, but to actually hear it delivered appropriately offers a mark of excellence.  Furthermore, had Danna ran wild in the earlier stages of the film and not used subtlety, the poignant moments would have been drowned out by film's end.  Instead, the simple themes he uses for Mary in the earlier stanzas pave a perfect path for the musical climax.

 

By the time the conclusion of the soundtrack was reached, I was left feeling very appreciative of the score I had just heard.  Respectful, subtle and impactful when needed, it's the type of first-tier soundtrack release that should beckon your attention, no matter your religious declarations.

 

Lastly, there is a wealth of score material on the soundtrack release, so you won't feel shortchanged in buying this soundtrack.  Even though this is a full disc, Danna had stated that there was material left off the soundtrack due to the length of it.  If the score gains popularity, it would be nice to get a special edition set released at some point down the road.  With music as effective and enjoyable such as "The Nativity Story," that should be the least that could be done for it. 

 

Final Score: Mychael Danna succeeds in a challenging assignment by delivering one of the best scores of the year.  This is a soundtrack for fans of all denominations.