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When it
comes to Kevin Kiner it is impossible not to associate his name to
CSI: Miami, a highly
succesfull TV show starring David Caruso, that has as one of the
production's highlights its scores. Now comes the time to add a new composer
to the Star Wars
franchise, in another television show, and Kiner was chosen
for the task.
In
Star Wars: The Clone Wars,
Kiner brings us 32 glorious tracks performed in a terrific and unique way by
the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The film - sort of pilot for the Cartoon
Network's CGI animated series - was released at theaters worldwide and is
produced, of course, by George Lucas, and comes like a new approach to the
saga, once more in animated form.
The score's 32
tracks, contained in a beautifully produced CD by Sony with almost 70
minutes in lenght, are pure mastery, and unsurprisingly, in certain moments,
we hear the chords of John Williams' magnificent theme, performed this time
in a not so usual way. Don't expect here a performance with the same level
of excelency of the London Symphony Orchestra, as well don't expect a
typical score from the films, as composed by Williams. But the truth is that
the score fits perfectly to the tone of the animated series, and it is very
well written.
After listen to Kiner's approach for the famous theme of the
saga, soon we find ourselves on "Battle of Christophsis" which employs
voices blending with each element, with a perceptive and absolute skill that
shapes the music into a sovereign and magnetic song. On "Meet Ahsoka" the
composer uses the guitar, helping to give to the track (and to the score) a
unique flavor that turns it into something different than the film scores.
From a certain moment of the track, the angry sea that is the melody becomes
a lull with staccato and pianette. In another instance, "Anakin vs. Dooku",
the suspense comes associated with the imperialism of the war, absolute and
impregnated by the battles.
What we hear coming from "B'omarr Monastery" is based on
percussive tones, until a certain section of its total length - then the
cellos come together to give to the track a darker tone. Another highlight
is "Jedi Do not Run!", that transcends and shines. More fine tracks arrive
with "Ziro Surrounded", "Ziro's Nightclub Band" (a wonderful jazz) and "Infiltrating
Ziro's Lair" (which in a certain way recalls Bernard Herrmann's style). Also
impressive is the score's penultimate track, "Fight To The End", where Kevin
crafts the melodies with an impeccable mastery.
Some
Star Wars fans could claim that more
themes heard in the films could have been used in Kiner's score. It sounds
correct because Williams has created not just one, but several themes that
can be considered as musical signatures for the franchise. But we can't
forget that this is not the Star Wars
we know, but in fact is a CGI, cartoonish derivation, so not everything here
looks - and sounds - exactly like in the movies. The fact is, at each track
Kevin surpasses himself, showing to the listener how he can dominate so many
intrinsically different aspects. Kevin, more scores please!
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