Music from the Movies
by Andrew Keech

Scandinature Films produced a series of fascinating documentary films for the Discovery Channel between 1999 and 2003 that looked at different aspect of the Arctic region. This album contains music from Surviving The Ice Age, Realm Of The Reindeer and Conquering The Arctic all of which have contemporary but sympathetic scores from Alan Williams. Alan Williams has a deserved reputation for lyrical and varied film music, including wonderful scores for IMAX films like Island Of The Sharks and Kilimanjaro: To The Roof Of Africa and the music on Arctic Circle can do nothing but enhance that reputation.

‘Glaciers’ opens the album and is a spectacular combination of ethnic drum beats, an ethereal female voice and a soaring electric guitar all giving a majestic, yet tribal effect. Brilliant. While ‘The Realm Of The Reindeer’, maintains some of the ethnic feel, particularly with deep, booming percussion, it is a far lower key cue with a feel of reverence. On the other hand ‘Artic Fox’ has a glorious light folksy feel, highlighted by a magical combination of beautiful piano backed by an acoustic guitar and resonating woodwind. ‘Reindeer Swimming’ also has a powerful ethnic feel, with a great woodwind-driven theme. ‘Ice Sheets’ has a dramatic use of sounds and electronic effects, but is the least attractive of the cues musically. ‘Bulls Sparing’ is far more blithe and again very effectively uses ethnic sounds to give a fun atmosphere.

The cue ‘Artic Tundra’ is a fresh, almost jazz-like piece, in which the guitar and piano take turns to play a lovely simple theme. ‘Killer Whales’ takes on a spaghetti western feel with maracas backing flute and piano in an upbeat piece, while ‘Ice Caves’ is more dark and foreboding albeit with gentle, flowing strings giving a brief respite. The catchy ‘Polar Bear’ is also upbeat, perhaps with a Spanish flavour, while ‘Dollgan People’ is more sinister with a return of deep tribal drum beats and wraithlike electronic sounds. The final cue, ‘Arctic Circle’ is similar to ‘Glaciers’ using a soaring electric guitar assisted by female vocals and booming drums to build a majestic, but rather poignant finale.

This composer published CD contains some wonderful music that is a powerful and compelling listen. While the presentation is not the large sweeping orchestral style that previous Alan Williams’ scores have offered, it has all his distinctive hallmarks of melody, innovation and a refreshing honesty that make this a must for all his many fans.