About the Music: (excerpts from the Costa Communications press release)
Grammy nominated composer Chris Walden releases "SYMPHONY No. 1: THE FOUR ELEMENTS," recorded with the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra available May 20 on Origin Classical Records. The album, conducted and produced by Walden, returns the composer to his classical music roots. Walden explains, "I attempted to create music that would have a similarly visceral impact on us as the elements found in nature."
"SYMPHONY No. 1: THE FOUR ELEMENTS" takes listeners through the Earth's elements that surround life. The first movement GAIA (earth) opens with a big bang, followed by low strings playing a long sustaining D-flat. The earth swings at a frequency that gives a sound into space. That frequency is a Db. The second movement HUDOR (water) opens with the strings playing random-like pizzicato notes that eventually develop into a musical theme. Just as rain begins with a few drops and then builds into a torrent. Later in this movement one can also hear a single drop falling into water, creating ripples on the surface, and building to waves crashing into a shore. The third movement AER (air) commences with a high-register melody played by the violins minus any vibrato, like a light breeze over a desert landscape where there is nothing but sand and wind. In the fourth movement THERMA (fire), Walden encapsulates everything from a single candle flame which develops into a raging fire storm. The themes of the other three movements also are reprised in this movement.
What You Need to Know: I admit it, I was intrigued. The premise of Chris Walden's first symphony had plenty to offer and thus I was left wondering what style of music I would hear from this album. Granted, this was technically a classical music piece and not a film score, but Walden has had plenty of experience in the entertainment industry so I thought it would be interesting to see what direction he would go in.
As I began listening to the music, my first impression of his work was that anyone who enjoyed Alex North's "2001" score would simply love this symphony. There is a certain since of mystery and harsh beauty that comes out of the music here, and relating it to the world of film music, North's (now classic) score was the first comparison that came to mind.
Now generally, I am pretty picky about classical music as whole, and along those lines, I enjoyed parts of this symphony but wasn't exactly overwhelmed by it all. That said, I appreciated the style that each movement had to offer. In particular, the last movement, "Therma", is very well done and may be the most accessible track on the album for soundtrack fans. I quite enjoyed the rugged nature of it, with an imposing blend of percussions serving as the highlight and an imposing, yet captivating, orchestral sound pacing the way during its 9 minute running time. It made for a memorable conclusion to the symphony and indeed, it felt as if the previous 3 movements were simply building up to this payoff.
The symphony offers a running time of over 40 minutes and that 'felt' about right. The sound quality is sharp and the performances of the Hollywood Symphony were spot on. Those who buy the CD will also be treated to a 'behind the scenes video clip' as part of the disc's bonus content.
Overall, those who are serious listeners of classical music will certainly enjoy this symphony. "The Four Elements" offers a somewhat interesting journey to embark on and has some unique characteristics to it. But be forewarned -- it's a trek that should only be taken by those who have a palette for the art of classical music. Had the music felt a little less restricted by the medium, than I think I would have enjoyed this one more.
