Davids' Reviews
By David Denton
Naxos
01-Oct-2008
Will Different Voices become that much needed modern alternative to Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra?
There have been many attempts, in every way the absolutely ideal candidate being Anthony Hopkins’s John and the Magic Music Man, but that was never taken up. Now onto the market comes Different Voices from the English film composer, Debbie Wiseman, who, with over 200 major scores for film and television, should know how to write commercial music. Based on an original idea by Don Black, Andrew Brenner’s story takes the listener through the instruments of the orchestra while relating the adventures of a young girl, Elie, and her efforts to save the park from the property developer. It provides an entertaining way of introduction without seeming to lecture the young listener, the music falling easily on the ear. I have yet to test drive the piece past a few of the younger generation, though it seems aimed at that sector who know about life with a nanny looking after you. With visuals to animate the piece, I am sure it will be a great hit, but in the concert hall its fifty minutes may prove a little long for the age group to which the story belongs. The present disc is derived from the premiere in London last year, and has the composer conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with the top TV and film personality, Stephen Fry, as a skilled narrator. To provide further commercial incentive, the film star, Hayley Westenra, sings Elie’s song. The playing and recording is outstanding.
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