Not only is Mark McKenzie one of the most in demand orchestrators in Hollywood today but he is an equally talent composer who hasn’t written a film score since Saving Sarah Cane in 2007. But that’s all been remedied with his superb work for a Mexican animated film called El Gran Milagro (The Greatest Miracle) which hit theatres in October of 2011. However, back in March, McKenzie made the score available early via download through iTunes and Amazon. In September BSX Records released a CD version with a few bonus tracks.
The Greatest Miracle is a 3D animated, Catholic themed film directed by Disney writer Bruce Morris (Pochahontas & Hercules) and tells a story of hope, love and redemption.
McKenzie has written an incredibly personal score. The album opens with a flourish. McKenzie doesn’t hold back as he knocks us out of our seat with a stunning opening cue called “Entering The Cathedral.” You rarely hear music of this sort of modern film music these days – lush, soulful, spiritual, and deeply profound. Track after track after track… the highlights never end.
The score is just over 40 minutes in length but every single cue has a very deep meaning and seems, at least to me, that McKenzie took some extra special care with every single note he wrote. McKenzie’s heart is on his sleeve here and there is nothing better then hearing music from a composer who is truly inspired! And as an added bonus portions of the score are performed by the acclaimed Libera Boys Choir under the direction of Robert Prizeman.
There is a reason why McKenzie calls this his personal favorite out of the 20 film scores he has written and this is no doubt one of the finest scores I’ve heard this year. This is 2011’s bench mark score that I will be comparing each new score to from now until the end of the year! Film composers… you have your work cut out for you!
The Greatest Miracle is easily the best score of the year!
You can hear and lengthy suite of music from this album by clicking HERE!
Surpringsingly creative and interesting, maybe not the depth of the greatest (Williams, Goldsmith and co) but quite refreshing, interesting “sound effects”, easy melody … it reminded me when I found out about another known orchestrator: Conrad Pope … !
Thanks Cinematic Sound for bringing this up!