From Naxos Records comes Napoleon, a soundtrack that is part of the fastly growing Carl Davis Collection.  Though not a mainstream type of soundtrack release, a product like Davis' Napoleon further proves that the able score fan should remain nimble and track down albums like this one.

 

The amount of music Davis had to write for this early-80's production was massive at nearly 5 hours.  For this release, however, the content is manageable for the listener (I am often overwhelmed by long-running scores) and the cues are separated into track times that "feel"" appropriate.  Further beyond that, however, the music sounds beautiful.  Symphonic magic, my friends, is what can be found on this disc. Given the dates in which the music was recorded (1983), one would be hard pressed to believe the time frame in which this score was released.  Simply a great mastering job for a score that truly deserved one.

 

The Napoleon score conjures up Beethoven, naturally, but the manner in which Davis uses these references are extremely impressive.  I tell you, it's quite energizing to hear parts of a Beethoven symphony intertwined with an original score like this; there is a sense of mastery at play here and the listeners are the ones who are privy to the rewards.  There is also a unique, almost un definable tone in which Davis references the Napoleonic era but also keeps us attached to modern times.  Ironically, this is how a score like this can be regarded as "timeless."

 

As always, thorough liner notes are on hand for this release.  The soundtracks released from the Carl Davis collection (and just about all the Naxos CDs I have received) seem to always offer a bounty of background information that is both relevant and interesting to read.  Such is the case even if you are unfamiliar with the movie in which the score hails from. 

 

Like any other soundtrack, however, it's the music that ultimately makes any type of magic happen.  With this exceptional score, I feel as though I've discovered a rarified gem that is deserving of a the modern soundtrack fan's attention. 

 

Final Score: Symphonic storytelling at a high level, Napoleon is a Grade-A soundtrack that will perhaps surprise you by just how impressive it is.  A gorgeous sound quality delivers material that should be destined for your ears...be sure to seek this one out soon!