Review
Title: When You Believe: A Night at the Movies
Artist: The Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square, Mack Wilberg Conductor
Publisher: Intellectual Reserve/Deseret Book
Genre: Film Soundtrack
Year Published: 2020
Number of Songs: Five
Format: CD; Digital Download
Price: CD 6.99[i]; Digital 4.99
Reviewed by Heather Harris Bergevin for the Association for Mormon Letters
I happily took When You Believe: A Night at the Movies out to my car, which has the best sound system for a CD, and began playing it while taking my oldest to work. Halfway through the first track, my kid looked at me and said, “Wait. Is this the Avenger’s Theme? Holy Heck, It’s gorgeous. This is really beautiful.”
Then I told them it was the Tabernacle Choir. Ok, technically I said MoTab. And technically my child would never say Heck, so insert what you would. Regardless, this album is beautiful and surprising. We’re on our second listen. At 22 minutes It’s not terribly long, but it has a great deal of beauty packaged in such a short space.
Besides “Main on End,” from Avenger’s Endgame, also included is the more traditional “I’ll Fly Away.” I’m more accustomed to a spiritual-style version, as is customary in South Carolina, but the light and almost Quaker hymnal styling is strangely refreshing. Also refreshing is the lovely rendition of “When You Believe,” from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack, which I’d forgotten was such a lovely song.
But it’s the other two that blew me away.
“Eatnemen Vuelie (Song of the Earth),” which was the musical inspiration for the Frozen soundtrack opening theme, is so lovely. Incorporated within it is a descant of “Beautiful Savior,” already one of the most gorgeous hymns in Christendom. The overlay of the hymn over the rhythmical chanting voices of the men and the beautiful orchestral sound is simply glorious.
And, of course, the breathtaking finale, “Duel of the Fates,” from Star Wars Phantom Menace. You know this song. You’ve heard it on memes and in passed along videos, because it is the quintessential “Dangerous foreboding evil is coming for you” song, and is, frankly, awesome. This treatment is no different- it is technically perfect, requires turning up your speakers, and allowing the music to envelop you. It is filled with power and beautiful danger and should be listened to by everyone. The intensity of the violins alone, and the subtlety of the bass, and driving power of the orchestral line…all of it is a thing of dark power and beauty.
This album gets my seal of approval, but also that of my kids, who finally see a reason that orchestras are cool, kinda.
[i]When You Believe is selling for 6.99 at Deseret Book. The LDS Church is selling it for 5.94 on its Distribution website. Amazon is selling it for 8.98