Caldera Records present the original score for the motion picture Lisa (2001), featuring music by Gabriel Yared. The film tells the story of young filmmaker Sam who becomes obsessed with an unfinished 1939 picture entitled Princess Marushka. In fact, Sam’s fascination is not with the film, but with its lead actor Sylvain Marceau who had mysteriously disappeared during World War II. In order to answer the question, Sam decides to make a documentary about Sylvain and sets off to interview all surviving friends and colleagues who might have some insight into his character. His most interesting lead in the investigation is the eponymous Lisa Morain who recounts her torrid love affair with the actor on the eve of the outbreak of World War II...

I always smile when I receive a score by Gabriel Yared (Adam Resurrected; Belle du Seigneur; The Promise; A Royal Affair (with Cyrille Aufort)) for review. It's almost a guaranteed opportunity to put my feet up and enjoy something a little bit special.

Lisa is, I'd argue, the greatest score of his I've heard so far. It's subtle, multi-layered and incredibly beautiful. It contains 22 tracks (44 min, 08 sec) of pure heaven. It's a score that slowly builds as you listen to it, so it's essential that you play it from start to finish, rather than picking out individual tracks.

I loved the way it all builds to the final 'End Credits' which is easily this score's highlight.

10

Darren Rea