Tracksounds Rating = 8/10

Composed , Conducted, and Produced by Patrick Williams
"Pie Jesu" Performed by Sarah Brightman
Released by Angel Records 2000

Beginning in the silent era, one of the most oft repeated stories in film has been that of the life of Christ.  It has been told from almost every angle possible; some attempts striving for Biblical accuracy others blatantly blasphemous.  In any event, the story of the life of Christ has been the central story of Western civilization and so its prominence up to and through the 20^th century is not a surprise.

The Spring of 2000, offers yet another telling of the “greatest story ever told.”  CBS airs its mini-series based on the life of Christ and with its close proximity to Easter, will sure to garner much attention.  They have spared no expense in the cast and production staff.  Neither have they for the music.

To translate the story of the Messiah into music, the producers wisely selected three time Emmy Award winning composer Patrick Williams.  His name may not be the most recognizable but many of his works are.  Ranging from television shows such as The Streets of San Francisco  and Lou Grant to his Pulitzer Prize nominated composition An American Concerto, to being a jazz composer, arranger, and bandleader, Patrick Williams’ talent is truly vast.  This “vastness” he employs for his latest composition for Jesus:  The Epic Mini-Series.

The music for Jesus:  The Epic Mini-Series rises, falls, and rises again just as the main character.  Williams is able to accomplish a very difficult task, to capture the myriad of emotions that the life of Christ has brought to civilization since his birth.  The heroic element is carried by the brass, in particular the trumpet.  At the same time, the overwhelming loneliness of leadership, misunderstanding, betrayal and sacrifice are carried by this very same trumpet.  The voice of the heavenlies is easily heard as represented by the angelic female vocalizations.  Most profoundly, though,  the emotion of the life of Christ are summed up in the stunning performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu  as performed by Sarah Brightman, Paul Miles-Kingston & The Winchester Cathedral Choir.

The power and majesty demonstrated throughout the life of Christ is depicted with equally dramatic music.  Tracks such as Walking on Water and Raising Lazarus leave little to be desired as far as the amount of dramatic impact one might desire as communicated by a film’s score.  The Main Title,  which opens the CD and makes occasional reappearances throughout the CD, combines the duality of Christ very well.  While determined and hopeful, it somehow maintains elements of sadness and profundity.  In all; however, this theme is sharp and memorable.

One track that certainly separates itself from the rest is track 11, simply titled Satan.  Again, Williams portrays the entity of Satan with brilliance.  Beginning  beautifully, as the Bible does declare Lucifer an angel of light, it soon dives into foreboding moans and synthetic groans of darkness that more accurately depict the villain of villains.   This track actually moves back and forth between darkness and light as the heroic trumpet and strings do cosmic battle with the darkling synths and makes for a truly engaging piece to experience.  It is the longest single piece contained on this release and concludes with the semi-victorious trumpet and string combination.

The life of Christ has given writers, directors, producers and composers more ideas, relationships, settings, twist and turns that they might dream of in one story.  It is no wonder this story has been told and retold so many times and will go on being retold.  From the mysterious birth, the astounding wisdom of his youth, the overwhelming miracles, the everlasting message of hope and power of life, to the pain and the suffering, the betrayal and the temptation, and death of Christ, himself, there is a harvest of material  to communicate.  Composer Patrick Williams does so with class and intelligence and has produced another Emmy contending score.  Whether it is Easter, Christmas, or the other 363 days out of the year, Jesus:  The Epic Mini-Series by Patrick Williams is certain to “bless” the film music fan.

Category

Score

Music Selection

Themes/ Composition

CD Length

Track Order

Performance

Final Score

Although the music does maintain a fairly constant tone throughout, and although some may find the score's inherent stateliness a touch tedious, I personally find this score to be a stimulating, intensely rewarding emotional journey.

Jonathan Broxton - Movie Music U.K.

Composer
Patrick Williams

Sound Clip

Main Title 

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