The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca: (Mark McKenzie) Working once again
under strict time limitations, Mark McKenzie had only a matter of a few weeks to
integrate this highly passionate and ethnic score. The film, revolving around
the life of the famous Spanish poet, required an extra level of emotion over
that of many other projects, as well as a specific ethnic identifier. McKenzie
succeeds with the task, composing a deep and moving symphonic piece with
flamenco influences that differ from anything else he had composed in the 1990s.
The resulting score is not only effective in the film, but also makes for an
enjoyable album.
As with his other scores, McKenzie's music for The Disappearance of
Garcia Lorca is lush with theme, with never more than a few minutes passing
before a statement of one of the themes --as integrated as that may be-- is
utilized. Those who enjoy McKenzie's often powerful string themes will not be
disappointed. In both the first two and last tracks, as well as few selected
spots in the middle, full concert-like performances of this melody are the
center of attention. Interlaced are numerous less grand themes. One of the
potential drawbacks of the album was the score's hectic recording schedule.
Recorded on only three days, with three different groups of players, the sound
quality, as well as the quality of the performances, sometimes vary noticeably
from track to track. The most notable of these differences comes after the
magnificent sound of the thirteenth track; the fourteenth is a tad flat in depth
compared to the previous track. The thirteenth track, however, is one of the
highlights of the album, with one of the spotlighted piano performances on the
album. Also of importance are several light guitar cues.
To spice up the score with the Spanish flavor necessary to capture the spirit of
the poet, McKenzie, after a perilous search (and a good story), found flamenco
singer Manolo Segura. In the tracks "Main Title," "Blood of a Poet," "Death
Calling" and "Lorca's Elegy," Segura provides a distinct flavor for the score of
The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca --the sound of three flamenco singers
is actually the one performance tracked three times (which is a technique that
McKenzie uses masterfully in his scores). On the whole, this score further
demonstrates McKenzie's growing maturity in the art of composition. Even though
he maintains a healthy career as an orchestrator (especially for Danny Elfman),
his scores in the latter half of the 1990s have proven him to be able to combine
his natural talent at thematic development with a growing sense of ethnic form.
His achievements in this arena would become even greater with his 1999 score for
Durango. Never the less, Intrada Record's generous release of The
Disappearance of Garcia Lorca is a must-have album for any McKenzie
enthusiast. ****
• 1. For Love of a Poet (Overture) (5:24)
• 2. Main Title (3:16)
• 3. Ricardo's Theme (0:59)
• 4. Trapped Inside my Memories (1:02)
• 5. I Want to Feel Your Work (1:36)
• 6. A Thunderstorm is Brewing (3:11)
• 7. Elegy for Jorge (2:04)
• 8. Blood of a Poet (3:31)
• 9. Marie Eugenia's Theme (0:56)
• 10. The Crumbling Sound of Daisies (1:41)
• 11. A Coffin of Wheels Was his Bed (1:24)
• 12. I Invented Some Wings for Flying (2:31)
• 13. I Sing his Elegance (3:09)
• 14. Five in the Shadow of the Afternoon (1:38)
• 15. Five by All Clocks in the Afternoon (3:16)
• 16. Butterfly of Your Kiss (2:32)
• 17. Death Calling (2:23)
• 18. Where is My Moon? (Lorca Elegy) (3:54)
• 19. Federico Garcia Lorca Orchestral Suite (10:40)
Notes and Quotes:
"My desire with The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca was to compose a deeply human,
symphonic score full of pathos, romance, passion and drama: the essence of
Federico Garcia Lorca's poetry. The recurring theme of death (so often referred
to by Lorca) can be heard in the passionate flamenco singing of Manolo Segura.
"Lorca's theme" (first heard about 1:45 into the Overture, and then in the Main
Title) is, I think, my favorite theme of the score. This music came from my
heart and soul and I hope that it speaks to yours in some meaningful way."
