Christopher Slaski Film Works

Composer compilations can be a wonderful chance to discover new talent that can be well off the American scoring radar while being more than worthy of it, as is now the case for British musician Christopher Slaski. Spain’s Quartet Records certainly knows excellent work when they hear it in their impressive release of many highlights from Slaski’s ongoing career that shows off a formidable array of styles in this 80-minute album. Beginning with a beautiful, Morricone-esque talent for rapid-fire pianos and anguished strings with the main title of “Rue Huvelin” and the borderline dissonant, overlapping melodies of “Tenere Sulle Spine,” Slaski’s themes show off an affinity for melodic and classical lyricism (“La Verguenza”), pastoral longing (“Un Jour De Printemps”). But Slaski shows himself equally capable of more modern rhythms, from the humming, harpsichord retro Euro jazz of “Tu o Yo” to the brassy, bouncy continental comedy and peppy tango of “Semen, Una Historia De Amour.” Slaski’s interesting percussion enlivens “The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes” and the film noir tension of “I Anna” (even turning a phone busy signal to music), while answering, “Who is Florinda Balkan” with a cool Italian Giallo vocalese stylings. The most familiar title when it comes to American audiences is Slaski’s score for Kevin Spacey’s Bobby Darin biopic “Beyond the Sea,” which glides on lush, dramatic waves. But then, listening to Slaski’s “Film Works” is a constantly engaging voyage for a composer of note, now given an exceptional album to shine on. 

– Film Music Magazine –