Hilary And Jackie: Music From The Motion Picture [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As might be expected, the soundtrack to Hilary and Jackie plays a highly prominent role in this film about the emotionally fraught relationship between two gifted sisters, one of whom is the brilliant cellist Jacqueline Du Pré. Certainly composer Barrington Pheloung--whose credits include the Inspector Morse series and the evocative score to Truly, Madly, Deeply--faced a heady challenge in writing music to be heard alongside Du Pré's rhapsodic, signature interpretation of the Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, not to mention other classical selections. Even so, the resonantly autumnal, neo-Romantic flavor of his score aptly mirrors the narrative's flashback-oriented technique. His insistence on the cello's urgent high register (played by soloist Caroline Dale) creates a poignant musical portrait of its tragically stricken protagonist. Most of the CD, however, is given to the entire Elgar concerto--an especially effective choice as against the usual potpourri of classical snippets. This charged, elegiac, and easily accessible work--Elgar's own valedictory composition for orchestra--becomes a sort of musical metaphor for Du Pré's emotional journey and gains from being heard in its full context. While the performance featured here is conducted by husband Daniel Barenboim, you'll probably be inspired to try Du Pré's never-bettered version of the Elgar on EMI with John Barbirolli. --Thomas May

Tracks:

Adagio. Moderato (Excerpt From Cello Concerto In E Minor, Op.85) - Jacqueline Du Pre
Sisters - London Metropolitan Orch/Barrington Pheloung
Ov (From Suite No.2 In b Minor, BWV 1067) - David Heath
The Farmhouse - Caroline Dale/Sally Heath
The Holiday Song - Caroline Dale/Sally Heath
The Hospital - London Metropolitan Orch/Barrington Pheloung
A Day On A Beach - Caroline Dale
Con In e Minor, Op.85: I. Adagio. Moderato - Jacqueline Du Pre
Con e Minor, Op.85: II. Lento. Allegro Molto - Jacqueline Du Pre
Con In e Minor, Op.85: III. Adagio - Jacqueline Du Pre
Con In e Minor, Op.85: IV. Allegro. Moderato. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Jacqueline Du Pre

Amazon.com

As might be expected, the soundtrack to Hilary and Jackie plays a highly prominent role in this film about the emotionally fraught relationship between two gifted sisters, one of whom is the brilliant cellist Jacqueline Du Pré. Certainly composer Barrington Pheloung--whose credits include the Inspector Morse series and the evocative score to Truly, Madly, Deeply--faced a heady challenge in writing music to be heard alongside Du Pré's rhapsodic, signature interpretation of the Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, not to mention other classical selections. Even so, the resonantly autumnal, neo-Romantic flavor of his score aptly mirrors the narrative's flashback-oriented technique. His insistence on the cello's urgent high register (played by soloist Caroline Dale) creates a poignant musical portrait of its tragically stricken protagonist. Most of the CD, however, is given to the entire Elgar concerto--an especially effective choice as against the usual potpourri of classical snippets. This charged, elegiac, and easily accessible work--Elgar's own valedictory composition for orchestra--becomes a sort of musical metaphor for Du Pré's emotional journey and gains from being heard in its full context. While the performance featured here is conducted by husband Daniel Barenboim, you'll probably be inspired to try Du Pré's never-bettered version of the Elgar on EMI with John Barbirolli. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

identified the composer of the tune found in "Holiday Song".......2005-12-16

My father really enjoys the music from "Hilary & Jackie." His mother sang him the tune in "Holiday Song" as a child, as she heard it from relatives who were musicians. I found out from Barrington Pheloung's website that the melody was written by a composer named Johannes Fries, though it was originally attributed to Mozart. Just thought that I'd share that with you, since there apparently are others who are searching for the original music, too. The Elgar concerto is a classic recording, a mainstay in any basic classical library.

...masterful.......2004-03-04

Undoubtably the main focus of the c.d is the Elgar "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra which is presented in whole. Prior to Jacquelines performance of the work, it was little known, misunderstood, unloved and infrequently played...she was able to probe it's depths like no other person before her, Elgar's "Cello Concerto" needed her. But this particular recording isn't of her best, Barbirolli conducting the London Symphony Orchestra is highly regarded as the best. No two performances were exactly alike and the recording on this disc being her second performance, but it still paints a superb picture of a artist in full bloom.
Barrington Pheloung's score enhances the intense emotions portrayed in the film whether it's anger, pain, joy, depair or hope. Apart from the Elgar, the cello heard is from Caroline Dale...she is able to capture the spirit and sound of Jacqueline.

Absolutely Inspiring.......2001-05-12

Few orchestral pieces are so moving as Jacqueline DuPre's performances of Sir Edward Elgar's Concerto for Cello. The emotion that Ms. DuPre portrays is enough to make me want to grab a cello and play it (too bad I'm a flutist, ha). This album features the entire concerto, as well as several moving pieces composed for the film by Barrington Pheloung. This CD is an absolute must for any music lover.

Hilary and Jackie- The Music that made the film.......2000-02-03

The soundtrack can only be described as inspirational. Listening to the sountrack, which has been so well compiled, only deepens the feelings of loss felt for the late Cellist extraordinare, Jackie Du Pre.For lovers of the film this soundtrack is a must, the highlight definately being the rendition of Elgar's Concerto, by far Ms Du Pre's most highly acclaimed work.

profoundly romantic and tragic.......1999-09-23

Like many others, I was bewitched by the beauty of this music, let alone the uniqueness of Elgar's concerto and brilliant performance of Ms. Du Pre. My heart goes to the family, for their brave attitude and insightful proceeding of Jackie's story. The tune "Holiday Song", which used to be "their" song, I personally remember it from my childhood as a Mozart's tune, called "Lullaby". Unfortunately, I don't know how to get in touch with Jackie's family, but I wonder if anybody else noticed the same thing. My deepest respect for Jackie's art.

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