{"id":1266,"date":"2011-10-18T11:41:07","date_gmt":"2011-10-18T11:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jwfan.com\/?p=1266"},"modified":"2012-04-16T12:05:37","modified_gmt":"2012-04-16T12:05:37","slug":"jwfan-exclusive-the-adventures-of-tintin-soundtrack-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jwfan.com\/?p=1266","title":{"rendered":"THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (2011) – Album Analysis #1"},"content":{"rendered":"

JWFAN proudly presents the first online review of The Adventures of Tintin<\/em> soundtrack album! Including an extensive track-by-track description and a detailed introduction to the basic the themes in the score. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

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Exclusive \u201cThe Adventures of Tintin\u201d soundtrack review
\n<\/strong>By Jason LeBlanc<\/strong><\/p>\n

Move over, young composers of the day \u2013 the Master is back.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been 3 and a half long years since the last new full John Williams film score\u2026 and in one over-far-too-soon new Original Soundtrack CD, the Maestro reminds us why he is not only one of the best composers the world of celluloid has ever seen, but one of the most versatile as well.<\/p>\n

I think I counted no less than 10 different themes over the course of the 65 minute soundtrack album, weaving in and out of exciting action riffs, gorgeous orchestrations that put you right into various locations around the world in seconds, mysterious legend-exploring passages, character-defining moments, and virtuoso concert arrangements that must have left every orchestra member desperate to catch their breath!\u00a0\u00a0Balancing out everything you\u2019d expect in a good globe-trotting adventure are moments of true comedy, thanks to the themes for Captain Haddock and the bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, let\u2019s go over the themes I\u2019ve discovered for now \u2013 as I seem to pick up on new ones every time I listen to the CD!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tintin\u2019s Theme\u00a0<\/strong>is the most versatile of the score\u2019s many themes, getting its own jazzy concert arrangement (The Adventures of Tintin<\/em>), an Indiana-Jones-esque action variation (Escape From The Karaboudjan, The Pursuit of the Falcon<\/em>), and a general \u201coff to the next location!\u201d \/ \u201cmoving the story along\u201d version (\u201cThe Flight To Bagghar<\/em>\u201d).\u00a0\u00a0The two halves of the theme almost act like a 5-note call and a 6 note answer, almost always playing back to back.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For a simple theme, it\u2019s very adaptable.<\/p>\n

Williams has written another great animal theme for Tintin\u2019s canine sidekick\u00a0Snowy<\/strong>\u00a0has his own theme, the notes rising up and up reminding you of a yipping dog.\u00a0\u00a0The theme is sometimes backed by piano appears often throughout the beginning of the CD (appearing in tracks 2 through 6), and even gets its own concert arrangement featuring lengthy piano solos punctuated by string runs that sums up the theme just as you\u2019re getting settled into things.<\/p>\n

Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0is at the core of the score for me.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s not only the most fully developed, getting a full 5 bar arrangement in several\u00a0\u00a0of the tracks, but it has the capability to be played in a heroic, thoughtful, comical, bravado, or endearing setting depending on the scene.\u00a0\u00a0Commonly played on bassoon or bass clarinet, it tends to make you want to smile every time you hear it, and I\u2019m sure after seeing the movie you will instantly picture Captain Archibald Haddock every time you hear it.<\/p>\n

There seems to be two themes associated with\u00a0The Unicorn\u00a0<\/strong>and the mysteries it contains \u2013 you can hear them battle each other back and forth in \u201cThe Secret Of The Scrolls<\/em>\u201d, with the main one of them popping up throughout many other tracks on the CD, all the way until the end.\u00a0\u00a0It harkens back to the Ark Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark, though is certainly not similar enough to be considering derivative.<\/p>\n

Sir Francis and Red Rackham<\/strong>, two characters from Captain Haddock\u2019s ancestry, likewise have themes that duel each other throughout \u201cSir Francis and the Unicorn<\/em>\u201d and \u201cRed Rackham\u2019s Curse and The Treasure<\/em>\u201d, with Red Rackham\u2019s theme popping up again in \u201cThe Clash of the Cranes<\/em>\u201d as well.\u00a0\u00a0Both themes conjure up high-seas adventure, and are among the more powerful and in-your-face themes of the score.<\/p>\n

Tintin\u2019s friends, the detectives\u00a0Thomson and Thompson<\/strong>, also get their own theme, like Haddock\u2019s commonly played on woodwinds, though usually backed by piano and\/or accordion.\u00a0\u00a0Similar to the main Unicorn Theme in that it sounds more or less the same every time it is used, it is no less completely perfect for what it represents.<\/p>\n

What follows is a brief description of each track on the CD.\u00a0\u00a0No worries about being spoiled here \u2013 as I haven\u2019t seen the film, I have been enjoying solely the listening experience Williams has created.\u00a0\u00a0It flows remarkably well, despite having such a huge number of themes and orchestral colors \u2013 which shouldn\u2019t be a surprise to anyone who knows how Williams works.\u00a0\u00a0Here we go!<\/p>\n

1. The Adventures of Tintin (3:08)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bass Clarinet, Harpsichord, and piano team up right away to let us know this isn\u2019t a typical action-adventure score.\u00a0\u00a0As more and more instruments enter, the jazzy palette is confirmed, and soon solo clarinet introduced us to\u00a0Tintin\u2019s theme<\/strong>, when continues to weave its way in and out of the rest of the jazzy concert arrangement, which also features accordion, alto and tenor sax, a drum kit, and bells.<\/p>\n

2. Snowy\u2019s Theme (2:10)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The next concert arrangement begins right away with\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0bouncing in on flutes and clarinet, which after a few variations gives way to the first of several piano runs that define most of the rest of the piece.\u00a0\u00a0The performance by\u00a0Gloria Cheng<\/a>\u00a0will impress even the most casual listener.\u00a0\u00a0Her piano runs are punctuated by intrusions by many of the other sections of the orchestra, in a way that reminds the listener of a symphony \u2013 an extremely fun, 2 minute symphony!<\/p>\n

3. The Secret Of The Scrolls (3:13)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Williams now slows things down and introduces us to the two\u00a0Unicorn Themes<\/strong>, which alternate back and forth, each getting extensive development over the duration of the track.\u00a0\u00a0The first theme is more mysterious, reminiscent of the quieter variations of the Ark Theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark, while the secondary theme has a more ancient and noble quality to it, each time it plays sounding like we\u2019re getting closer to unraveling a larger mystery.\u00a0\u00a0A brief interlude containing\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0followed a bit later by a brief occurrence of\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0is about the only section to not feature one of the two themes playing.<\/p>\n

4. Introducing The Thompsons and Snowy\u2019s Chase (4:09)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

An up and down grand piano rhytm introduces\u00a0Thomson and Thompsons\u2019s Theme<\/strong>, played on a few different woodwinds before suddenly stopping, and an accordion passage brings us to a new location.\u00a0\u00a0Accordion and woodwinds duel for a bit,\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0returns, and pizzicato strings enter the soundscape as well.\u00a0\u00a0The second half of the track begins in a way you know something bad has happened, but\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0lets us know he\u2019s on the case.\u00a0\u00a0Parts of this chase sequence were adapted into the\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme concert arrangement (track 2).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Marlinspike Hall (3:59)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Without knowing what Marlinspike Hall may be, Williams\u2019 music lets us know right away someone is up to no good.\u00a0\u00a0Just when the music is at its most threatening,\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0breaks in to let us know things might be OK.\u00a0\u00a0The rest of the track is primarily mysterious suspense music, punctuated by Tintin\u2019s Theme, the mysterious Unicorn Theme, and an explosive variation of the other Unicorn Theme.<\/p>\n

6. Escape From The Karaboudjan (3:21)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The disc\u2019s first true action track begins with a brief pizzicato strings section before the action begins!\u00a0\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>,\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>, and pounding timpani\u00a0\u00a0give a sense of escaping from pursuers in a thrilling manor.\u00a0\u00a0Rousing trumpet blasts the climax of the piece, and then the denouement contains a new theme that sounds perfect for a threatening villain.\u00a0\u00a0This is quickly followed by another new theme played on ethnic instruments (kemenche and tanbura) before the piece concludes<\/p>\n

7. Sir Francis and the Unicorn (5:08)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The next track begins quietly, but builds to a small peak before giving way to a lengthy rendition of the mysterious\u00a0Unicorn theme<\/strong>, which is now expanded to the full orchestra including brass in a manor indicative of revealing something new and important.\u00a0\u00a0A quick rendition of its former mysterious sound soon gives way to more new themes:\u00a0Red\u00a0Rackham\u2019s and Sir Francis\u2019 Themes<\/strong>\u00a0enter and alternate back and forth, all the while sounding like a classic pirate adventure, but with a modern Williams twist.\u00a0\u00a0The two themes build and build, going through many variations by all different sections of the orchestra.\u00a0\u00a0After climaxing, the mystery\u00a0Unicorn Theme<\/strong>\u00a0returns once more to end the piece.<\/p>\n

8. Captain Haddock Takes The Oars (2:18)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Williams now chooses to introduce us to\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>, busting in with a swagger on bass clarinet and bassoon.\u00a0The track features many lengthy variations of his full theme, including ones backed up by accordion.\u00a0\u00a0The theme perfectly fits the image of a sea captain with a noble history who might not be living the most noble life anymore, but takes opportunities whenever he can to prove himself, his theme always there backing up his decisions.<\/p>\n

9. Red Rackham\u2019s Curse and The Treasure (6:11)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The longest track on the album is also the hardest to describe, and many listens in I am still discovering new things.\u00a0\u00a0It starts with pounding cello and bass setting the backdrop as violin and viola drive things along.\u00a0\u00a0After an interlude with chimes and some ethnic flare, a new rhythm driven by viola soon leads us to a new theme for violins that are invocative of pirates dueling on large ships.\u00a0\u00a0This theme goes through a few iterations, the main melody passed off to other sections of the orchestra a few times, before things calm down again.\u00a0\u00a0The dueling pirates melody briefly returns, before the final section of the track begins, which has a distinctly desert feel to it.\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0Unicorn Theme<\/strong>\u00a0gets a new, nobler variation, and then the driving viola melody returns again before suddenly the whole orchestra comes in for the climax, which sounds like travelers long-lost in the desert have finally found salvation.\u00a0\u00a0This is quickly followed by the kemenche and tanbura theme from \u201cEscape From The Karaboudjan<\/em>\u201d before the track ends.<\/p>\n

10. Capturing Mr. Silk (2:58)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Clarinet, bass clarinet, and bassoon let us know we\u2019re in the company of Captain Haddock again, even though\u00a0his theme<\/strong>\u00a0doesn\u2019t play right away.\u00a0\u00a0When it does, it is very reminiscent of the villain\u2019s theme from Home Alone.\u00a0\u00a0The next section of the cue returns to some of the great European flair heard in \u201cIntroducing The Thompsons<\/em>\u201d, with accordion and other instruments giving the middle of the track a very Parisian flair.\u00a0\u00a0The third movement of the track features the return of\u00a0Thomson and Thompson\u2019s Theme<\/strong>,\u00a0\u00a0this time backed up by accordion, in a faster and more fun setting than before.<\/p>\n

11. The Flight To Bagghar (3:35)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The album\u2019s second major action track also features a quiet start that quickly explodes to a full-on action romp.\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0even gets a quick action variation, before\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0takes over in its most Indiana Jones-esque rendition yet.\u00a0\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0returns to send the track to its climax, which features thrilling string writing once again.<\/p>\n

12. The Milanese Nightingale (1:30)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most exquisite tracks on the album, this track not only features a gorgeous violin solo, but also a fantastic section based on a French-sounding accordion that creates a perfect Parisian soundscape.\u00a0\u00a0The piece ends with another violin solo and a swelling string climax that briefly hints at a bit of danger before concluding.<\/p>\n

13. Presenting Bianca Castafiore (3:26)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This track begins with the introduction to the cavatina from Gioachino Rossini\u2019s The Barber of Seville.\u00a0\u00a0It is quickly followed by Renee Fleming as Bianca Castafiore singing Je veux vivre, from Charles Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette.\u00a0\u00a0The conclusion of the piece contains breaking glass and other sound effects sure to displease some soundtrack fans.<\/p>\n

14. The Pursuit Of The Falcon (5:44)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Strap yourself in for the craziest action material to come out in quite some time!\u00a0\u00a0But first, Je Veux Vivre is reprised by the orchestra, followed by some suspenseful chase music, which gives way to a full on action cue.\u00a0\u00a0Timpani, bass drum, and snare drum pound along as flutes, trumpets, horns, and the string section all get their turns to chase our characters along.\u00a0\u00a0Some sections highlighting the flutes conjures images of a bird flying, and are reminiscent of Harry Potter and the some of the flute music for birds in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0Some of the string rhythms seem to be based on\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>, and\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0makes appearances as well.<\/p>\n

15. The Captain\u2019s Counsel (2:11)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This \u201ccalm before the storm\u201d track is mostly somber in tone, featuring a solemn variation of\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>. The end of the track features a quick appearance of\u00a0Thomson and Thompson\u2019s Theme.<\/strong><\/p>\n

16. The Clash Of The Cranes (3:49)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The brief pause is over \u2013 we are quickly back into action material!\u00a0\u00a0The timpani and bass drum from the previous action track are now joined by heavy, medium, and low drums, pounding away forcefully to let us know the stakes.\u00a0\u00a0The strings and brass create a sense of chaos, as if our heroes really don\u2019t know what to do.\u00a0\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0attempts to appear, and then\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0enters in heroic fashion, but that is short lived as before you know it,\u00a0Red Rackham\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0makes a sudden return!\u00a0\u00a0It creates a perfect sense of danger.\u00a0\u00a0The second half of the track loses the pounding drums in favor of a harpsichord and string section,\u00a0\u00a0followed by a woodwind section featuring\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>, and then finally\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0gets a few fun variations as well before\u00a0Thomson and Thompson\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0comes in to end the piece.<\/p>\n

17. Return to Marlinspike Hall and Finale (5:52)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Unicorn Theme<\/strong>\u00a0returns, back in its original mystery variation. This is followed by\u00a0Tintin\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0and then\u00a0Snowy\u2019s Theme<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0After climaxing, quiet and mysterious music returns, giving a feeling of there being one last mystery to solve.\u00a0\u00a0A somewhat serious variation of\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0is heard before the music gets its most mysterious.\u00a0\u00a0The mysterious music is only briefly punctuated by the\u00a0Unicorn Theme<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>, and this section ends with a lush, noble variation of the\u00a0Unicorn Theme<\/strong>\u00a0on horns.\u00a0\u00a0The final section of the track begins with a bouncing rhythm on celeste, harp, and violin, which underscores\u00a0Haddock\u2019s Theme<\/strong>\u00a0on contrabass clarinet before everything builds to a dramatic conclusion, featuring the\u00a0Unicorn Theme<\/strong>\u00a0that perhaps gives a small hint that more adventures are to come\u2026.<\/p>\n

18. The Adventure Continues (2:58)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Beginning as the previous track is still fading out, Williams presents the final concert arrangement to conclude the album.\u00a0\u00a0This one is based on the dueling pirates melody heard in \u201cRed Rackham\u2019s Curse and The Treasure\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0The melody gets passed from instrument to instrument, always backed by strings, in another virtuoso performance from the orchestra that makes you simply marvel at the performing prowess of the musicians.\u00a0\u00a0Two classic Williams false ending lets things build again to a stronger and even more powerful ending, and the CD is over!<\/p>\n

Overall this is fantastic score by the maestro, covering a huge range of emotions, ideas, soundscapes, and instrumental palettes.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s got to be impossible to not find something to like on the CD, with so many different ideas present.\u00a0\u00a0Yet it never feels like you are listening to a disjointed mess;\u00a0\u00a0the many themes of the score tie everything together so you always know what score you are listening to.\u00a0\u00a0The themes may not be as instantly classic or memorable as so many themes in John Williams\u2019 repertoire are, but that is perfectly alright.\u00a0\u00a0The method taken just plain works here, and the score \u2013 at least as presented on the CD \u2013 is a fantastic listening experience from beginning to end.\u00a0\u00a0Highly recommended.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check out\u00a0our exclusive sound clips<\/a>\u00a0from the CD.
\n—-
\nJason LeBlanc can be reached in our forums.<\/p>\n