Mark McKenzie is one of those composers who currently hovers on the edge of the mainstream. I previously reviewed his music for Dragonheart: A New Beginning and felt it was professional and well constructed and this score for the Hallmark television production The Lost Child once again displays that same polished approach.
Opening with ‘The Lost Child Orchestral Suite’, this sets the tone for the entire score with its attractive string and piano work designed to tug on your heart strings. More of the same follows with ‘Adopted into a New Family (Main Titles)’ where woodwind and some brief classical guitar create a pleasingly emotive, pastoral feel. In fact this is a score that features frequent solos from a whole range of instruments, including harp, cello, wood flute and most affectingly, oboe. To say that very little else occurs that distinguishes itself from here on may sound rather derogatory, but it is all quietly effective and engaging, if somewhat repetitive with only momentary glimpses of anything that might be seen as a change of pace or style (the Native American influence in ‘Weaving Vision’ and the slight edge of ‘Beck’s Finds Strength of Purpose’).
As pleasant as it is and while the music will most certainly work well in harmony with its images, after a while I found my attention wandering slightly, the very nature of this gentle score ultimately working against it as a sustained listening experience. But taken in more selective bursts, McKenzie’s music leaves you with a sense of questing thoughtfulness and quiet tranquillity. And who can complain about that.
Mark Hockley
OST
