StreamingSoundtracks - - Jennie Muskett - Miss Austen Regrets

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Lovely Portrayal Of Jane Through Beautiful Piano

By:	Jadedtitan
Date:	23 Feb 2010
Rating:

Miss Austen Regrets, by Jennie Muskett was a surprise to me which I quickly fell in love with as I heard it over and over. The production by BBC is wonderful as well, giving an engaging portrayal of Jane later in her life and also of her niece Fanny and the struggles they face.

The music of the Miss Austen score is mostly dominated by a lovely entreating piano, with various other instruments adding background as needed. The score starts off with The Proposal which has a strong beautiful piano playing out the main theme of the film, associated with Jane, it marks the beginning and end of the film. The first track though in contrast to the ending theme variation, goes further with the melody to leave listeners with that moment of hope and promise that Jane still feels at the beginning of her story. A Social Engagement has the piano playing out a happy free flowing melody that follows the more light hearted moments of the film, also associated with Fanny and her struggle to understand her Aunt and place in the family. After Dinner Speeches has the piano visiting the main theme again, giving a new variation near its end. It has the strings also to provide accompaniment and depth.

Courtship provides another free flowing styled piano and string track, creating the mood of hope for Fanny as she tries to discover what it is she is supposed to want. The track does well to give the feeling of high expectations and uncertainty intermingled together in a beautiful track. Solitude is a sad feeling solo piano piece, it meanders through its melody not in a rush to tell its part of the tale. Searching has two pianos playing out the theme heard before, more of a rushed feeling, as the moment suggests, hopeless, uncertain feelings.Jane�s Jig is the most upbeat and playful of tracks, exactly as it says it is a jig so it has that Irish fiddle playing out a dancing tune.

London has the violin and strings as the dominant instrument, a new sense as Jane is in a new place; unlike the feel of the other tracks when she was at her country home. Solemnity goes back to the solo piano, playing out single notes in a somber sort of way. Desire has that upbeat piano feel again, reminiscent to the Courtship track with the wandering piano in a slow but purpose driven feel, strings also add notes giving it more of a lush feel. Beyond Reach uses the piano to show Jane�s despair at the moment, it goes back to the original theme heard in the beginning track. This is the best rendition of the theme because here it is still hope for Jane and it is the most fully developed of the theme tracks. Two pianos play this out beautifully and strings enter at the crescendo.

Hampshire goes back to the string and piano duo, similar to other tracks in that it slowly moves along, slowly unfolds its beauty and takes you deeper into the beautiful melody of the score.Royal Visit is a more serious piano track, dealing with the content, this piece has more depth and a lone guitar picks its way through the track as well giving it a richer intensity than heard elsewhere on the score. Regrets has the solo piano playing out a variation of the main theme, minimalistic again in style, but it is such a beautiful theme it is still welcomed in all its varieties. Fanny�s Wedding goes back to the Courtship melody, Fanny�s music as it were, more upbeat and lighthearted, but the sadness can still be felt. Another beautiful track played out on the piano at first with strings coming in to add to its depth and rich feeling. Listen to Your Heart is the first half of the first track, ending Jane�s story with no more hope for her, but still that hope for Fanny and others who do as Jane suggests, listen to your own heart.

I love this score, the piano found throughout is simply gorgeous, it touches the heart and mind as so few scores can do. My only negative view is its length, it would have been much better if it had contained more of the music, but that seems to be a common trend in scores. Regardless, it is a beautiful score and offers much to someone looking for simple beauty.

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