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Desplat is one of a new generation of ground-breaking French film composers (along with Frédéric Talgorn and Philippe Rombi). His critically acclaimed scores include Sur mes lèvres, Inquiétudes and De battre mon coeur s'est arrête (which won a César and a Silver Bear). In Hollywood he has written scores as diverse as Birth, Syriana and the Oscar-nominated The Queen. The Painted Veil, his new Golden Globe- winning score for the film of Somerset Maugham's brooding love story, is one of Desplat's best, an exquisite, dynamic blend of lyrical romanticism and pulsing minimalism, with long melodic lines, delicate polyrhythms and complex orchestration, with gorgeous solos for celeste, electric cello and piano (performed by Lang Lang). The Painted Veil is masterful and beautiful. www.deutsche grammophon.com/thepaintedveil JOCELYN CLARKE

Download tracks: The Water Wheel, River Waltz(Piano solo)