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P.T. Barnum |
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Music Composed and Conducted by Hummie Mann Orchestrations by Hummie Mann, Ira Hearshen, and Tim Huling Release Date: 1999
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The name P.T. Barnum is often though of in the same vein with such ideas as big-time promoters and sensationalism. Anyone even remotely aware of his claims to fame can remember such names as Tom Thumb and Jumbo the Elephant. With that in mind, how would one go about scoring a biographical film about such a character? Hummie Mann takes the approach to recreate a musical style that represents the period of Barnum’s life, and of his life itself. More specifically, he recreates the big band music feel of John Philip Sousa marches, and in this he succeeds brilliantly. Rather than just creating a cookie-cutter march that emulates (or even rips off) former efforts, Mann creates and original and elastic piece which he uses to great effect in a variety of ways. In the opening titles, the march (which is used in a thematic way throughout the score), is performed as a standard march, but soon segues into a lush orchestral portrayal. The contrast is so striking that it is absolutely brilliant. The theme is twisted round into different emotional feelings and it never sounds out of place, even when it is played in its lonely, saddened form. At one point, Mann even gives it a Christmas feel, complete with sleigh bells in the background! It is a rare thing when a theme has this much malleability, even more so when it works really well. There is another theme that pops up a lot as well, although it is not used to such an extent as the main theme is. It really works in bridging the gap between the quiet music and the more upbeat sequences. Finally, the score ends with a fitting tribute to Sousa and his style as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" helps to underscore the sequence of P.T. Barnum's death. The only real problem with this score is the fact that the themes tend to be overused. The main theme especially crops up all the time and at times the music seems to be made up of just the two themes playing over and over again. There is variety here and there, but the non-thematic music is rarely interesting. A few more themes and better use of the pacing would have really helped. Still it is great music to have playing in the background, and the main theme is good enough to keep it from being a true bore. Overall I was very impressed, and if you’re a fan of Sousa music, you might just want to check this one out and see what can be done with this style. ***1/2
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Track Listing 1 - Main Title / Reminiscing / Young P.T. & Charity (6:13) 2 - Caroline is Born / Touring with Joice Heth (5:28) 3 - Proving Turner Wrong / Back Home / The Scudder's Swindle and Purchase (4:26) 4 - Discovering Tom Thumb / Touring Europe (6:34) 5 - Letter to Charity / Frances Dies / Return from Europe (5:26) 6 - Iranistan / Back to New York (3:15) 7 - Disoriented Memories / A New Start / Paying off Debts Tour / Iranistan Burns (4:34) 8 - Permission to Marry / Lecture Tour / Caroline's Baby Dies (3:30) 9 - Barnum's Return / Loyalist Supporter / Alone (4:46) 10 - Newspaper Article / Charity's Illness / Road Show / Charity Dies (5:23) 11 - The Greatest Show on Earth (3:29) 12 - New Life with Nancy / Public Office / Pauline Dies (4:03) 13 - Barnum and Bailey Join Forces / P.T. Dies (3:48) Total Running Time: 61:13 |
