El Corazón de la Tierra (The Heart of the Earth)

Composer : Fernando Orti Salvador
Conductor : Nick Ingman
Performed by : The London Session Orchestra
Label / No. : JMB Records JMB2084
Year of release : 2007
CD release: 2007
Total duration : 72:48

Over the past few years, Spain appears to have become the centre of the soundtrack universe. Their passionate fans have mobilised themselves to organise three to four film music festivals during June and July of each year, which attracts the very best of Hollywood and European film composers. They have also produced some of the most exciting new talent to emerge on the film music scene in some years. Although Alberto Iglesias, Roque Banos and Javier Navarrete (amongst others) have since become common names amongst soundtrack fans and collectors, Fernando Orti Salvador may well add his name to those illustrious composers if he continues to write scores as bold and exciting as El Corazon de la Tierra. For this tale, set in 1888 Spain, of the cruel exploitation of Spanish miners, by their British paymasters, Seňor Salvador has fashioned a score steeped in anguish and tragedy, evoking the unbearable weight upon the down-trodden and desperate workmen, who risked life and limb, hundreds of feet below the earth, to help procure the precious commodities the rich men demanded.

A steady drumbeat opens ‘Suite’, which introduces the score’s main two-note refrain, which buries itself within one’s memory in an instant. This gives way to a soaring, string-laden rendition of said theme, before the track segues into a passionate melody for rolling piano over orchestra. From quiet beginnings, ‘Obertura’ develops into more lyrical, gentle orchestral interludes, interlaced by a warmer version of the ominous two-note idea. ‘El tesoro de Huelva’ features yet another theme, a delicious flight of fancy, flowing and natural. Many themes and ideas feature throughout the score, but the main two-note idea is never far from hand.

‘Corta Atalaya’ develops into a raging firestorm of tragedy and despair, featuring choir amongst the full force of the orchestra. This isn't the first, or the last time voices will be heard, although thankfully they are not over-utilised. The score is dominated by anger and aggression, with drums often adding their weight to the orchestral fireworks on display, but gentle respite is well sequenced during the CD, in tracks such as ‘Riotinto’, ‘El Adios’ and ‘Seduccion’. After the cue ‘Silencio’, an air of tragedy permeates the remaining tracks, no doubt underscoring the disaster which has struck. Try and get through ‘La noche de los tiros’ without sustaining a tear or two. ‘No tengas miedo’ also tugs at one’s heartstrings. Music with pure emotion, a rare thing these days.

This is what I would term an old-fashioned score, not in the Golden-Age sense, but in the fact that the music is big, lyrical, loud and certainly not shy. Very subtle electronics within some cues lend it a more modern day sound. It is also well written and orchestrated and displays a confidence in the thematic material being used. Track 23, Blanca closes the score section of the disc, after which five bonus tracks round off the package, consisting of the trailer music (including music from the score) and some source cues, including a Polka and a Waltz. This is a fine score from a new voice (to this reviewer), one I look forward to hearing more of in the future.

Kevin McGann
Music from the movies