Un Homme Et Son Chien Soundtrack Review
Gorgeously Thematic, Golden Age-Style Score by Philippe Rombi
Jun 13, 2009
The absence of truly romantic film scores since the tragically premature death of French film composer Georges Delerue has been partially amended by the works of Rachel Portman and Alexandre Desplat, but if any one modern composer could be said to truly have succeeded Delerue’s place, it might be Philippe Rombi.
Since the composition of his wonderful, tender scores for Jeux d’Enfants, Joyeaux Noel and Angel, he has certainly solidified his standing as a composer of some of the most sweepingly gorgeous themes in recent years.
The Music of Philippe Rombi
His music is deeply rooted in the sound of the Golden Age of film music, with rich, vibrant orchestrations and captivating, long-lined (and memorable) themes. Besides all that, and perhaps most importantly, his music is deeply emotional and extremely accessible.
It is impossible to listen to a score by Philippe Rombi and not be swept away by its swirling beauty and passion. His latest score, Un Homme Et Son Chien, proves to be yet another exquisite entry in an already flourishing canon of romantic masterpieces, and is a must-hear for lovers of lovely orchestral music.
Un Homme Et Son Chien Soundtrack
The score is based largely around one theme, introduced in delightful fashion on high-end piano in the first track, “Un Homme Et Son Chien (Theme),” gradually gaining the support of the full string section. The theme is unashamedly sentimental, and profoundly peaceful in its long-lined, pleasantly thoughtful meanderings. Eventually the piano gives way as the full ensemble assumes the melody in a rapturous statement of the theme which is stunning, sweeping and enchanting all at once.
The theme is usually performed by piano during the bulk of the score, although many solo violin performances give it a fresh, soaring set of variations which nicely balance the delicacy of the piano with the intimate passion of the violin.
And, although the majority of the album is amazingly soothing and peaceful, a few moments of intense drama punctuate the album with satisfying power: the pounding, percussive use of low-end piano in the “Ouverture,” and the fantastically climactic “Final le Train,” which showcases the album’s only major use of the brass section.
Delightful Romance Score
Other standout moments include the brief but lovely use of acoustic guitar in “Seul,” as well as the final cue which features a concert arrangement of the main theme performed by a piano/violin duet, an arrangement which provides a deliciously simple but superlatively delightful form of an already magnificent theme.
The score is a well-balanced and not overlong album at just over 45 minutes long, and each moment is a true delight. Un Homme Et Son Chien is not only a perfectly satisfying and marvelous score in its own right, but also functions as a perfect complement to Rombi’s other romantic scores.
His music shines out with brilliant clarity, beauty and perfection in today’s age of programmed, ambient scores, and his career promises to be a magnificent one if it continues in the fashion it has hitherto. Wholeheartedly recommended!
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