Latest CD releases reviewed

THOMAS NEWMAN
Cinderella Man Decca ****

One of the most original of US film composers, Thomas Newman (The Rapture, American Beauty, Erin Brokovich, Finding Nemo) approaches a film's overall atmosphere and feeling, eschewing traditional character and thematic scoring conventions. For this Depression-era boxing film, Newman combines spare orchestral passages with simple melodies and driving polyrhythms, blending eclectic acoustic instrumentation (bodhran, treated piano, bazouki, and clarinet) with studio sounds to create a densely textured and exquisitely coloured score. From the delicate piano melody of The Inside Out to the brooding ambience of Cold Meat Party to the menacing strings of Good As Murder and the sinuous jig of Turtle, Cinderella Man balances emotional intensity with dramatic seriousness to achieve a rare and urgent lyricism. www.deccaclassics.com  Jocelyn Clarke