A History of Scotland Soundtrack

About the Soundtrack: "A History of Scotland" is a BBC series that takes an in-depth look at the rich history of the country. The music, which one should not easily dismiss, comes to us from composer Paul Leonard Morgan, a name new to my ears but one that some of you may know from the BBC television series, "Spooks" (or MI:5 in the U.S.). Aside from being a high-quality recording, the orchestrations are simply terrific and the performances are sharp. Kudos to the Scottish Symphony Orchestra on this one. As far as purchase options, I recommend seeking it out on iTunes, which is where I purchased it from. For $11.99, you get 29 tracks and a rewarding listening experience, so don't let the price sway you.

What You Need to Know: I know, I know, this isn't a summer movie score or some sort of marquee film soundtrack. In fact, for most of you, the name Paul Leonard Morgan probably isn't on your radar. It is my job, however, to pass along deserving attention when required and this television score from Morgan is worthy of some serious praise. Forget that the image of the CD cover is drab and that there aren't many people speaking about this title, there is adventure on a grand scale awaiting your attention. Trust me, this is a wonderful album.

It's funny, often times, one knows early on when a soundtrack has an "it" factor going for it. From the very beginning, I knew that I was in for a splendid treat with this one. The opening themes come across quite invitingly and I must say, there is no way someone could tell that this was material from a historical television series. It seemed larger than a small screen venue. There is some serious scope to the music yet it doesn't climb to ridiculous, self-serving heights. The balance is in perfect harmony.

The main theme itself is one that generates a sense of fondness and displays a calm beauty in its notes. Heard in the opening tracks and a bit more prominently at the end of the soundtrack, I found a comfort zone with Morgan's chief melody for this series. The theme, like the segments it represents, is only part of the story, though. As Morgan weaves his own musical tale through the various eras of Scotland, the listener joins him on the ride and is taken to many diverse times in history. There are segments that represent the marauding Vikings, the Battle of Stirling, the legend of Wallace, and much more. The Legend of Wallace, in particular, has a great ascent to offer through its build up. In all, if you relish an epic span to the stories you read and the music you listen to, then this is a perfect fit for you.

The beauty about the world of soundtracks is that you never know where the next gem might come from. For me, a few links in iTunes led me to a relatively unknown title and it's one that has a world of beauty to offer. Sometimes, like historians themselves, you have to do a little digging to find something significant. This is a score that's worth such an expedition.

Final Score: Top grade music from a newcomer in the U.K.! A History of Scotland is a score that is worthy of your time and appreciation. A true pleasure!