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What You Will Hear: Flutes!
Standout Tracks: Every cue! Welcome The BFG to our Hall of Fame! Will You Be Humming Along? Yes. Williams gives us a somewhat off-kilter main theme accompanied by secondary themes also full of character. The album(s) this makes me want to dust off: A mix of Harry Potter and Hook – John Williams
Will I come back to it? Yes. I was not sure about this one after my first listen. The opening notes are so awkward in their simplicity… I think it is fair to say that you could be forgiven if you turned away early. But, with just a bit of patience, that main theme reveals itself to be so endearingly strange! The first cell of notes is so useful throughout. He uses it to punctuate lighthearted adventure and tug at the heartstrings. There are multiple secondary themes. The big baddies feature a tuba. The action sequences aren’t quite set pieces, but there are some definite motifs used throughout. And finally, there is a warm and friendly theme in some of the softer moments. (And I'm sure I missed some...) So many colors and all of them are done well. The flute duets/trios/ensembles dominate this score. Think hard – when was the last time flute was featured so prominently in a modern score? The “flutterings” (is that a word?) are sometimes beautifully diatonic while other times almost atonal. It all adds up to a refreshingly new sound from a composer that has been there done EVERYTHING. The themes and instrumentation are perfect. The BFG is immediately recognizable as Williams as it his best, but just off center from what he usually produces. In this era of sameness, Williams gives us something new and wonderful. |