Songs of the Sea: The Regatta Suite
Composed by Jeff Rona and David T. Edwards (Tracks 4, 5 and 9)
 
Sound Clips: The Noble | Horizon
 
Running Time: 59:53
About the Soundtrack: Jeff Rona's "Songs of the Sea" was composed for the 2008 Olympic Regatta and is an excellent piece of work.  Beautifully performed by the Qingdao Symphony and the Bejing Philharmonic, the album features ten tracks that pay homage to the strength, mystery and wonder of the sea.  Each piece offers a running time that is satisfying with none shorter than four minutes in length.  Sharing composing credits on three of the tracks  is David T. Edwards, who co-wrote the three pieces and is also deserving of accolades for the impressive music that is represented here.  As far as availability, the album can be purchased as a digital download on both iTunes and Amazon.
 
What You Need to Know: What a superb production this is!  Jeff Rona's "score" for the Olympic Regatta is a masterful, emotionally charged work of wonder and awe.  Representing the majesty of the sea along with the spirit of the Olympic games, "The Regatta Suite" showcases a type of music that is as powerful as any film music masterwork and should be considered a must-have.  From the heroic chords of "The Noble" to the adventures of "On the Open Sea," there is a true sense of discovery in this rich, thoughtful suite of music. 
 
Though it is what this site is mostly about, "Songs of the Sea" also makes for a refreshing departure from film scores.  Given that this is best categorized as a suite (with 10 individual tracks) for the Olympic Regatta, it offers a chance for the listener to delve into work that is intended for something more symbolic than it is visual.  Rona (and Edwards) offer music that frees one from the confines of a movie or television screen and opens the senses to something a bit more grand. 
 
There are several highlights to indulge in on this album but two favorites of mine are the aforementioned "The Noble," which casts a heroic, regal theme into use, and the emotionally captivating, "Horizon."  Other noteworthy references include the fantastic solo performances; Hila Plitmann's soprano for "Wisdom of the Wind," Poet David Whyte's reading for "Song for the Salmon," and the violin solos for the "Fantasy" cue of Track 8.  As you can see, there are quite a few talented (and diverse) artists who were brought into this production and their presence makes it all the more dynamic and worthwhile.
 
"Songs of the Sea" is a winner on many levels but another reason why this is such a successful venture is due to the thoughtfulness of the music that represents each title.  This is not a one-dimensional album by any means, thus the listening experiences is even more enjoyable.  Beyond that, this is also a worthy addition for any listener who has previously enjoyed John Williams' music for the previous Olympic Games.  All in all, you can't go wrong if you're to buy this one...
 
Final Score:  "Songs of the Sea: The Regatta Suite" is the type of album that should find its way into the collection of any film or classical music fan.  Combining the best of both worlds into a modern, yet timeless representation of music, this is as rewarding a listening experience that you may be able to experience all year. In fact, I think this album's nearly perfect. 
 
I recommend this one with great enthusiasm!