Rachel Portman – “The Duchess”
Album Reviews | Nov 23rd, 2008
Record Label: Lakeshore Records
Genre: Film Score
Band Link:
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Rachel Portman always does pleasant sounding scores.
If there is a period piece, shes the one to go to for the score. The Duchess is about Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, played by the beautiful Keira Knightley. The film was written by Amanda Foreman and Jeffrey Hatcher, and directed by Saul Dibb. Based on the life of Duchess, this film is surely to be watched by the female crowd. I wouldnt mind seeing it, just because its nice to watch Knightley.
Portmans best scores include Emma (won an Oscar for), Where Angels Fear to Tread, Cider House Rules, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Harts War and Nicholas Nickleby. I feel the Duchess is one of her best scores of late. Its dramatic, sweeping with strings, and has that lovely traditional classic sound to the score. There are 1 or 2 pieces from classical masters like Beethoven and Haydn. The overall score has a lot of dark moments to it, or its very quiet. But for the most part, its just something nice to put on in the background. If you liked the music in The Duchess, then it makes sense to buy this album. Even if you didnt see the movie, you might like this score.
Bottom Line: One of Portmans best scores
Notable Tracks: The Duchess, German Dance No. 10 in D Major, Six Years Later
Overall Rating:
