Alexandra Harwood’s score for the second series of All Creatures Great & Small is released via Silva Screen Records. Set in 1937, this new adaptation of James Herriot’s books follows the previous BBC series of 90 episodes that ran from 1978 to 1990...

Alexandra Harwood delivers 19 tracks (40 min. 38 sec) of pure joy. The music on this collection has just about every conceivable element covered. It's a soulful collection of truly beautiful themes and set pieces.

The original series music was composed by the late British composer Johnny Pearson. The origins of the main theme stem from Pearson’s 1969 library piece called 'Piano Parchment', which he re-recorded with orchestra for the series in 1978. Alexandra Harwood’s new All Creatures Great & Small theme echoes the original, with a sweeping piano line, bright strings, woodwind and harp. The album includes musical highlights from the second series with the last 2 tracks, Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot and All Creatures Great And Small - Christmas, featuring in the 2021 Christmas special.

This is one of those scores that works its magic by adding an emotional core to the TV series, but also works just as well as a stand alone collection of beautiful themes in its own right.

While I enjoyed every single piece of music on this release, I just want to single out 'Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot' which does an incredible job of very subtly referencing 'Auld Lang Syne' and presenting it in a heartbreakingly beautiful way.

If you love the show then you really need to own this. Likewise, if you're a lover of sweet, melancholic scores, this will enhance your life greatly.

9

Darren Rea