Our webmaster, Len Mullenger, sent me this 55-minute privately made (by the
composer) CD for assessment. I am delighted to say that I found it a real
pleasure from beginning to end. Julian Nott has a nice feel for a melodic
line; his music flows beautifully and shows impressive craftsmanship. It
is powerfully dramatic and has grace and charm. His influences are subtly
and cleverly worn behind his originality.
His best known work is for the Wallace and Gromit series and three
tracks: the Wallace and Gromit theme -- overspilling with broad North Country
humour and jazzy high spirits - the heroic 'Thunderbirds' sequence from A
Close Shave and the glorious chase music from 'The Wrong Trousers'.
I was strongly impressed by many other tracks. 'My Mother's Courage' has
a particularly strong score. The Main Title has is strongly pastoral with
a touch of Rozsa in religious mode while 'Mother's Theme' is warm, deeply
felt and delicate. Four French Lieutenants - Tubular Bells is a bravura Late
Romantic heroic piece. Some tracks recall the Hollywood's Golden Age; there
are mischievous echoes of Korngold and Steiner in The Pirate Suite from The
Chest and the music of Bliss, Elgar and Walton is recalled in the regal sweeping
romantic music for 'Original Sin'. In quieter mood, there is an attractive
pastoral oboe theme written for Zomba library music which brings Jerome Morross's
Big Country music to mind. From Sunburn, Nott writes a Cypriot Dance
and his authentic-sounding use of ethnic instruments, impresses. 'Reef Encounter'
is a very evocative seascape suggesting not only the beauty of the reef but
also lurking dangers.
On this evidence, Julian Nott would seem to have an even more successful
career ahead of him.
Reviewer
Ian Lace
Photo
courtesy of Jonathan Broxton
