Anderson Soundtracks Enchanted

Disney Studios has a release for the season that brings modern NYC together with the land of imagination. Alan Menken's score to Disney's holiday musical, Enchanted is simply enchanting. Full or twinkling woodwinds, glistening harp glissandi and heraldic horn flourishes, Menken embraces the musical spirit that inhabited Cinderella and The Little Mermaid and offers a truly grand classic musical score. Amy Adams' contribution is a childlike and earnest reading of Stephen Schwartz' deliciously witty lyrics. "Happy Working Song" could have been delivered by, or to, the seven dwarves. The background vocals are right out of Munchkin land and Schwartz offers such brilliant rhymes as "Stubborn mildew stain/ Hairball from the shower drain" and Adams sings the with incredible cheek and cheer. This score is one of the film music buffs must haves. Kids will be singing the tunes and students will be studying the effortless technique.

In addition to the brilliant Menken/Schwartz stuff, there are a couple of pop songs. In that the movie is semi-animated, and directed at both kids and adults, their inclusion makes sense. From a musical point of view, they are incongruous, but not entirely ineffective. Jon McLaughin is desperate and sincere on "So Close," so much so that he borders on desperate sincerity. The tune, full of hope and longing, is orchestrated in grand style, and the effect makes it fit into the sonic scheme of the CD very well. Carrie Underwood's track is less successful and more affected. If you're a diehard fan of the young diva, you'll appreciate the pipes and power. In context, it's a little de trop. In fact, Carrie sounds like a character from another play.

The Disney producers, Mr. Menken and Mr. Schwartz are no strangers to one another. Apart from the songs, which are mostly a treat, the score is a full meal. It begins with "Andalasia" and takes up nine tracks on the record, including a spectacular "Enchanted Suite" and more than ten minutes of "Storybook Ending." Here Menken's superb skills are displayed with taste, charm and elegance. In a year full of "modern" scores like Transformers it's a pleasure to hear such brilliant traditional music making. Menken deftly manipulates the dramatic elements of the score, making excellent and unusual orchestration choices and utilizing the predominately female choir perfectly. His percussion writing is clever, and he never resorts to sheer bombast. There's a tune hidden in every subtle dramatic turn, and a lightheartedness that prevents the whimsical story from being overwhelmed by Wagnerian themes and crushing Chicago brass. This is written in the sensitive and clever style of Bizet or Berlioz; full of drama, but always tasteful and tuneful.

It's a rare event that the score will make you want to see the film, but that's just what will happen if you listen to Enchanted. Schwartz uses his Wicked wit, Menken employs his Christmas Carol grandeur, and together they have crafted a very traditional, very classic 21st century score for a bit of whimsy. It's a joy to hear such professional and accomplished composers create such an unaffected and effortless glimpse into a past that never, never was.

By Dave Morgan