Downton Abbey

( 7 )

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Jon O'Brien
Composed by John Lunn (Little Dorrit), the official soundtrack to the Emmy-winning Downton Abbey shows that the British know how to score a lavish costume drama just as effectively as they do how to make one. The millions of fans captivated by the ITV series -- which follows the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants in a fictional Yorkshire town's stately home during the early reign of King George V -- will be delighted by the extended versions of the pieces of music which have appeared throughout the critically acclaimed first two seasons. But even classical fans who have failed to be reeled in by the authentic, early 20th century costumes and legendary ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Jon O'Brien
Composed by John Lunn (Little Dorrit), the official soundtrack to the Emmy-winning Downton Abbey shows that the British know how to score a lavish costume drama just as effectively as they do how to make one. The millions of fans captivated by the ITV series -- which follows the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants in a fictional Yorkshire town's stately home during the early reign of King George V -- will be delighted by the extended versions of the pieces of music which have appeared throughout the critically acclaimed first two seasons. But even classical fans who have failed to be reeled in by the authentic, early 20th century costumes and legendary thespian talent will find it hard to resist the charms of its 20 elegant compositions, which range from the light and airy, brass-fused "Us and Them" to the brooding, ominous, piano-led "Deception." The beautifully haunting melodies and sweeping strings of the theme recurringly appear throughout the 20 compositions, from the seven-minute, epic opening track to the soaring vocal version from British music student-turned-Chinese talent show winner Mary-Jess ("Did I Make the Most of Loving You") which closes the album. However, Lunn's subtle but inventive arrangements, performed by the Chamber Orchestra of London, ensure that the soundtrack never becomes too repetitive. Indeed, among the stream of plucked pizzicato strings, gentle woodwind, and warm layers of orchestration, there are also a few surprises. "A Song and a Dance" is a rather ambient final instrumental featuring some skittering xylophones, jaunty piano hooks, and breezy flutes, while Les Miserables tenor Alfie Boe provides some suitably stirring vocals on the sparsely produced covers of Elsie Griffin's wartime ballad "Roses of Picardy" and The Bing Boys Are Here revue number "If You Were the Only Girl in the World," both of which were originally published around the drama's early-1900s setting. An enchanting piece of work, Downton Abbey is one of those soundtracks that perfectly complements its source material, but is also strong enough to stand alone on its own merit, too.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 12/13/2011
  • Label: Decca
  • UPC: 602527811468
  • Catalog Number: 001626002
  • Sales rank: 2,877

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Downton Abbey - The Suite (7:08)
  2. 2 Love and the Hunter (3:18)
  3. 3 Emancipation (2:15)
  4. 4 Story of My Life (1:57)
  5. 5 Fashion (1:19)
  6. 6 Damaged (5:25)
  7. 7 If You Were the Only Girl in the World - Alfie Boe (3:47)
  8. 8 Preparation (3:26)
  9. 9 Such Good Luck (2:30)
  10. 10 Us and Them (1:53)
  11. 11 Violet (1:56)
  12. 12 A Drive (1:03)
  13. 13 An Ideal Marriage (2:43)
  14. 14 Roses of Picardy - Alfie Boe (3:55)
  15. 15 Telegram (1:44)
  16. 16 Deception (2:51)
  17. 17 Titanic (2:10)
  18. 18 A Song and a Dance (1:30)
  19. 19 Did I Make The Most Of Loving You? (from Downtown Abbey) - Mary-Jess Leaverland (4:18)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
James Morgan Piano
Alfie Boe Vocals
Alastair King Conductor
The Orchestra of London Performing Ensemble
Mary-Jess Leaverland Vocals
Technical Credits
James Morgan Producer
Paul Golding Engineer
Nick Watson Mastering
John Lunn Composer, Producer, Executive Producer
Haydn Wood Composer
Juliette Pochin Producer
Nat D. Ayer Composer
Gareth Neame Executive Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 7 )
Rating Distribution

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(4)

4 Star

(2)

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 3, 2012

    I Also Recommend:

    Pride & Prejudice [Original Score]
    Pride & Prejudice [1995 Television Soundtrack]
    Dream With Me

    Beautiful

    This CD is fantastic. The original score is mesmerizing, and 'Did I Make the Most of Loving You' is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. This is must for fans of Downton or anyone who loves the classics.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 13, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 7, 2011

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 10, 2012

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    Posted February 23, 2012

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    Posted January 25, 2012

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    Posted February 4, 2012

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews