Majestät!
Enjott Schneider
" Royalty at its most melodic "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Majestät! (Majesty) is a 2 CD compilation, containing musical pieces written for several documentaries about known royal families around the world, most notably the Swedish, Danish, Belgian, Spanish, English, Dutch, Norwegian, Japanese, Jordanian, Thai and Moroccan royalty houses. All brought together over the years on one double CD release courtesy of Alhambra Records. This was possible due to the fact German composer / professor Enjott Schneider wrote the music for all the documentaries over the years. Alhambra brought them together and gave us access to the palaces, halls and history of some of the greatest royal families.
Naturally, Royalty means class. Class means sophistication. Sophistication means classically inclined music. Opening with the arrangement of "Land of Hope and Glory", the English patriotic song composed by Edward Elgar. When we shift towards the various pieces (starting with Sweden), we get a mix between classically inclined concerto's ("Concerto for Daniel Westling", "Reason of State") and more emotionally film-music like pieces. "The Young Prince" has a beautiful theme for piano and violin, returning in various tracks including the equally beautiful "Sheltered Childhood". We have intriguing combinations of whirling strings and saxophone in the highlight "In the Golden Cage" (a cue that goes for the heart), and sampled choir that gives "Festive Act of State" some class. I mean these are some of the best moments of the compilation.
Basically this is a working combination, and it repeats this throughout the first CD. Classical playfulness and emotional / joyful film-music. Each Royal house sort of gets its own theme, but above all this 2CD package shows a lovely bouncy attitude that enlightens many cues. Sometimes a bit too much alike after a while, but lovely, melodic and enjoyable nonetheless. Moments that jump out in the Denmark episode are the following: the theme for Mary for bouncy saxophone in "Mary Full of Energy" (a theme that returns a lot in various sounds) and a playful romantic waltz in "Honeymoon in Australia" that sets the dance on fire.
The Belgium king and queen receive a theme ("The Belgian Royalty") based on Boccherini's Minuet, a famous waltz that offers the same gracious dignified sound which perfectly reflects the calm posture of the 2 people. The music is much more classically inspired, relaxed and subdued, perfectly depicting the more common grace of the Royal couple. A grace that is more alive and energetic once we go to Spain's darker royal house. The upbeat waltz might fool you in "Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano" but the first sign of darkness arrives soon after that in "Princess Maria Isabella of Orléans", getting more airtime in tracks such as "Dark Force" and "Civil War / Coup / Agitation". And though this darkness somewhat holds the royalty under its grasp, classic nobility and class still conquers tracks such as "Letizia in the Role of Trophy Wife" and "Luxury Life".
Though the level never reaches the quality of the first 20 tracks, the remaining music stays melodic and fitting all the same. Something that continues on the second CD as well. First there's Great Britain with a mournful opening for "Princess Diana", followed by a much more beautiful "Kate Middleton", a theme that returns for Kate in "Kate / Fairytale", "Kate - Adult" and "Kate - Waltz" and a theme that screams out for further development as it is a wonderful emotional theme for strings. Just listen how it explodes with joy in "Kate - Modern and Impulsive", another track that screams out for a longer period of development. This is the biggest hindrance and the biggest change with the first tracks of the first CD. Development. The longest track on the second CD is just 2 and a half minutes long, while we had a couple of examples that lasted for 4 minutes on the first. Development is everything, especially if the idea is right for it. And though the score flows fluently further, you wish these ideas get the time they deserve.
And the more we move towards all continents, the more we receive the expected ethnic influences. Though Norway isn't exactly the ethnic first choice, the first ethnic influence arrives in "Princess Märtha Louise", followed by Japan and its flutes and percussion and the exotic Moroccan rhythms in Morocco and Thailand.
In general, there's a great sense of melody in Majestät. In any of the countries origins. The European flow vs the Western and Eastern influences work, especially on the second album. But no matter the ideas and thoughts behind it, time doesn't allow for it to develop. Essentially it makes itself the perfect candidate for background listening. The perfect candidate for these kinds of documentaries. But sometimes, there's a theme that cries out for more, especially on the first CD. And it's a shame that time doesn't allow it. Because sometimes the melodies are quite mesmerizing. I like that each royal family or country has its own theme and sound, now I wished that time was given the chance to develop. For an album's concept, it would have been brilliant if suites could have been constructed of the ideas. Alas, this was always meant to be a documentary, and that means that many short tracks make for 2 pleasant background experiences on CD. Though I believe that the first CD is better than the second.
Favorite Moment - In the Golden Cage (0.26 - 3.56)
The moment the saxophone enters the screen, it starts unleashing mesmerizing creative combinations
CD 1: 79.08
1. Leader (Pomp & Circumstance) * (0.33)
Sweden: Victoria & Daniel
2. Concerto for Daniel Westling (1.11)
3. The Young Prince (1.38)
4. Sheltered Childhood (1.33) Excellent track
5. In the Golden Cage (3.56) Excellent track
6. Festive Act of State (2.05)
7. Victoria and Daniel (2.22)
8. Reason of State (2.09)
9. Mid Summer Days (1.03)
10. Daniel and Victoria (2.23)
Denmark: Frederik and Mary
11. Haakon VII. (1.33)
12. Denmark in the Middle Ages (1.44)
13. Mary Elizabeth, Crown Princess of Denmark (1.52)
14. Queen Margrethe II. – The "Fairy Tale Queen" (1.36)
15. Tragedy in the Danish Royal House (1.34)
16. The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney (1.39)
17. Mary's Theme (1.33)
18. Mary Full of Energy (1.15)
19. Kongeriget Danmark (1.31)
20.Honeymoon in Australia (1.27)
21. Mary and Frederik (1.49)
22. The Splendor of the Danish Royal Family (2.15)
Belgium: Albert and Paola
23. The Belgian Royalty (1.00)
24. Tradition and History (1.07)
25. Accident / Morning for Queen Astrid (1.00)
26. Mathilde, Princess of Belgium (1.32)
27. Tough Choices / Doubt (1.03)
28. King Albert II (1.02)
29. Albert and Paola – Belgium's Royal Couple (1.16)
30. The Severity of Queen Fabiola (1.21)
Spain: Juan Carlos
31. King Juan Carlos I. (1.14)
32. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (1.49)
33. Princess Maria Isabella of Orléans (1.46)
34. A Historical Wedding (1.38)
35. Letizia in the Role of Trophy Wife (1.43)
36. Dark Force (1.38)
37. Medieval Celebration (1.38)
38. Carlos Alive and Kicking (2.05)
39. Letizia's Theme (1.41)
40. Franquismus (1.31)
41. Civil War / Coup / Agitation (1.20)
42. Letizia Dismal and Thin (0.47)
43. Letizia Sad (1.02)
44. To Breathe a Sigh of Relief, All Clear (1.05)
45. Transition in Spain (1.15)
46. Luxury Life (1.55)
47. The Funeral of a Brother (1.43)
48. Juan Carlos on Holiday (1.34)
49. Ceremonial / Stiff on Court (1.08)
50. Carlos' Theme (0.46)
51. Letizia, Princess of Asturias (1.50)
CD 2: 77.28
Great Britain: William and Kate
1. Lady Diana (1.41)
2. Kate Middleton (1.53) Excellent track
3. Her Majesty Empress Victoria (1.01)
4. Mourning (1.32)
5. Kate – A Fairytale (1.51)
6. Expectations of Love (1.48)
7. Kate – Adult (1.23)
8. Fascinating Monarchy (1.54)
9. Kate – Modern and Impulsive (1.05)
10. Funeral (1.32)
11. Kate – Longing (1.06)
12. Remembering Lady Di (1.36)
13. Kate – Waltz (1.18)
Holland
14. The Netherlands, 16th Century (1.06)
15. Queen Beatrix (1.14)
16. Prince Claus of Amsberg (1.06)
17. King's Day (2.24)
Norway
18. Norway's Landscape (1.58)
19. Princess Märtha Louise (1.35)
20. Mette-Marit Crown Princess of Norway (1.16)
Japan
21. The Japanese Empire (2.05)
22. Shinto – Way of the Gods (1.30)
23. Mourning Masako (1.07)
24. The Garden, Quiet (1.43)
Jordan
25. The Desert State Jordan (1.23)
26. King Abdullah II (1.25)
27. Love and Nostalgia (0.37)
28. Queen Rania of Jordan (1.33)
29. Historic Jordan (1.27)
30. Grief, Death, Prudence (0.47)
31. Death of a Legend (0.41)
32. Abdullah II and Rania (2.00)
Thailand
33. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1.23)
34. Queen Sirikit of Thailand (1.07)
35. Bhumibol "The Great" (1.31)
36. The Wisdom of Buddhism (1.11)
37. Switzerland (1.08)
38. Mom Rajwongse Sirikit Ktiyakara (1.08)
39. Demigod (0.58)
40. The Thai Kingdom (1.09)
41. Samsara – The Cycle of Life (1.00)
42. Bhumibol and Sirikit (1.04)
Morocco
43. Morocco – Kingdom in Afrika (1.21)
44. The Beauty of Morocco (1.26)
45. Salma or Harem (1.48)
46. Mysterious Landscapes (1.54)
47. European Influences (1.02)
48. King Mohammed VI. (1.58)
49. Reforming in Morroco (1.27)
50. Tenderly Relationship (1.04)
51. Love in the Moroccan Royal Family (0.48)
52. Morrocan Wedding Waltz (1.23)
53. Princess Lalla Salma (1.50)
54. Morocco – A Land of Contrasts (1.56)
55. Leader (Pomp & Circumstance) * (0.33)
* Arrangment by Schneider
Naturally, Royalty means class. Class means sophistication. Sophistication means classically inclined music. Opening with the arrangement of "Land of Hope and Glory", the English patriotic song composed by Edward Elgar. When we shift towards the various pieces (starting with Sweden), we get a mix between classically inclined concerto's ("Concerto for Daniel Westling", "Reason of State") and more emotionally film-music like pieces. "The Young Prince" has a beautiful theme for piano and violin, returning in various tracks including the equally beautiful "Sheltered Childhood". We have intriguing combinations of whirling strings and saxophone in the highlight "In the Golden Cage" (a cue that goes for the heart), and sampled choir that gives "Festive Act of State" some class. I mean these are some of the best moments of the compilation.
Basically this is a working combination, and it repeats this throughout the first CD. Classical playfulness and emotional / joyful film-music. Each Royal house sort of gets its own theme, but above all this 2CD package shows a lovely bouncy attitude that enlightens many cues. Sometimes a bit too much alike after a while, but lovely, melodic and enjoyable nonetheless. Moments that jump out in the Denmark episode are the following: the theme for Mary for bouncy saxophone in "Mary Full of Energy" (a theme that returns a lot in various sounds) and a playful romantic waltz in "Honeymoon in Australia" that sets the dance on fire.
The Belgium king and queen receive a theme ("The Belgian Royalty") based on Boccherini's Minuet, a famous waltz that offers the same gracious dignified sound which perfectly reflects the calm posture of the 2 people. The music is much more classically inspired, relaxed and subdued, perfectly depicting the more common grace of the Royal couple. A grace that is more alive and energetic once we go to Spain's darker royal house. The upbeat waltz might fool you in "Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano" but the first sign of darkness arrives soon after that in "Princess Maria Isabella of Orléans", getting more airtime in tracks such as "Dark Force" and "Civil War / Coup / Agitation". And though this darkness somewhat holds the royalty under its grasp, classic nobility and class still conquers tracks such as "Letizia in the Role of Trophy Wife" and "Luxury Life".
Though the level never reaches the quality of the first 20 tracks, the remaining music stays melodic and fitting all the same. Something that continues on the second CD as well. First there's Great Britain with a mournful opening for "Princess Diana", followed by a much more beautiful "Kate Middleton", a theme that returns for Kate in "Kate / Fairytale", "Kate - Adult" and "Kate - Waltz" and a theme that screams out for further development as it is a wonderful emotional theme for strings. Just listen how it explodes with joy in "Kate - Modern and Impulsive", another track that screams out for a longer period of development. This is the biggest hindrance and the biggest change with the first tracks of the first CD. Development. The longest track on the second CD is just 2 and a half minutes long, while we had a couple of examples that lasted for 4 minutes on the first. Development is everything, especially if the idea is right for it. And though the score flows fluently further, you wish these ideas get the time they deserve.
And the more we move towards all continents, the more we receive the expected ethnic influences. Though Norway isn't exactly the ethnic first choice, the first ethnic influence arrives in "Princess Märtha Louise", followed by Japan and its flutes and percussion and the exotic Moroccan rhythms in Morocco and Thailand.
In general, there's a great sense of melody in Majestät. In any of the countries origins. The European flow vs the Western and Eastern influences work, especially on the second album. But no matter the ideas and thoughts behind it, time doesn't allow for it to develop. Essentially it makes itself the perfect candidate for background listening. The perfect candidate for these kinds of documentaries. But sometimes, there's a theme that cries out for more, especially on the first CD. And it's a shame that time doesn't allow it. Because sometimes the melodies are quite mesmerizing. I like that each royal family or country has its own theme and sound, now I wished that time was given the chance to develop. For an album's concept, it would have been brilliant if suites could have been constructed of the ideas. Alas, this was always meant to be a documentary, and that means that many short tracks make for 2 pleasant background experiences on CD. Though I believe that the first CD is better than the second.
Favorite Moment - In the Golden Cage (0.26 - 3.56)
The moment the saxophone enters the screen, it starts unleashing mesmerizing creative combinations
CD 1: 79.08
1. Leader (Pomp & Circumstance) * (0.33)
Sweden: Victoria & Daniel
2. Concerto for Daniel Westling (1.11)
3. The Young Prince (1.38)
4. Sheltered Childhood (1.33) Excellent track
5. In the Golden Cage (3.56) Excellent track
6. Festive Act of State (2.05)
7. Victoria and Daniel (2.22)
8. Reason of State (2.09)
9. Mid Summer Days (1.03)
10. Daniel and Victoria (2.23)
Denmark: Frederik and Mary
11. Haakon VII. (1.33)
12. Denmark in the Middle Ages (1.44)
13. Mary Elizabeth, Crown Princess of Denmark (1.52)
14. Queen Margrethe II. – The "Fairy Tale Queen" (1.36)
15. Tragedy in the Danish Royal House (1.34)
16. The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney (1.39)
17. Mary's Theme (1.33)
18. Mary Full of Energy (1.15)
19. Kongeriget Danmark (1.31)
20.Honeymoon in Australia (1.27)
21. Mary and Frederik (1.49)
22. The Splendor of the Danish Royal Family (2.15)
Belgium: Albert and Paola
23. The Belgian Royalty (1.00)
24. Tradition and History (1.07)
25. Accident / Morning for Queen Astrid (1.00)
26. Mathilde, Princess of Belgium (1.32)
27. Tough Choices / Doubt (1.03)
28. King Albert II (1.02)
29. Albert and Paola – Belgium's Royal Couple (1.16)
30. The Severity of Queen Fabiola (1.21)
Spain: Juan Carlos
31. King Juan Carlos I. (1.14)
32. Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano (1.49)
33. Princess Maria Isabella of Orléans (1.46)
34. A Historical Wedding (1.38)
35. Letizia in the Role of Trophy Wife (1.43)
36. Dark Force (1.38)
37. Medieval Celebration (1.38)
38. Carlos Alive and Kicking (2.05)
39. Letizia's Theme (1.41)
40. Franquismus (1.31)
41. Civil War / Coup / Agitation (1.20)
42. Letizia Dismal and Thin (0.47)
43. Letizia Sad (1.02)
44. To Breathe a Sigh of Relief, All Clear (1.05)
45. Transition in Spain (1.15)
46. Luxury Life (1.55)
47. The Funeral of a Brother (1.43)
48. Juan Carlos on Holiday (1.34)
49. Ceremonial / Stiff on Court (1.08)
50. Carlos' Theme (0.46)
51. Letizia, Princess of Asturias (1.50)
CD 2: 77.28
Great Britain: William and Kate
1. Lady Diana (1.41)
2. Kate Middleton (1.53) Excellent track
3. Her Majesty Empress Victoria (1.01)
4. Mourning (1.32)
5. Kate – A Fairytale (1.51)
6. Expectations of Love (1.48)
7. Kate – Adult (1.23)
8. Fascinating Monarchy (1.54)
9. Kate – Modern and Impulsive (1.05)
10. Funeral (1.32)
11. Kate – Longing (1.06)
12. Remembering Lady Di (1.36)
13. Kate – Waltz (1.18)
Holland
14. The Netherlands, 16th Century (1.06)
15. Queen Beatrix (1.14)
16. Prince Claus of Amsberg (1.06)
17. King's Day (2.24)
Norway
18. Norway's Landscape (1.58)
19. Princess Märtha Louise (1.35)
20. Mette-Marit Crown Princess of Norway (1.16)
Japan
21. The Japanese Empire (2.05)
22. Shinto – Way of the Gods (1.30)
23. Mourning Masako (1.07)
24. The Garden, Quiet (1.43)
Jordan
25. The Desert State Jordan (1.23)
26. King Abdullah II (1.25)
27. Love and Nostalgia (0.37)
28. Queen Rania of Jordan (1.33)
29. Historic Jordan (1.27)
30. Grief, Death, Prudence (0.47)
31. Death of a Legend (0.41)
32. Abdullah II and Rania (2.00)
Thailand
33. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1.23)
34. Queen Sirikit of Thailand (1.07)
35. Bhumibol "The Great" (1.31)
36. The Wisdom of Buddhism (1.11)
37. Switzerland (1.08)
38. Mom Rajwongse Sirikit Ktiyakara (1.08)
39. Demigod (0.58)
40. The Thai Kingdom (1.09)
41. Samsara – The Cycle of Life (1.00)
42. Bhumibol and Sirikit (1.04)
Morocco
43. Morocco – Kingdom in Afrika (1.21)
44. The Beauty of Morocco (1.26)
45. Salma or Harem (1.48)
46. Mysterious Landscapes (1.54)
47. European Influences (1.02)
48. King Mohammed VI. (1.58)
49. Reforming in Morroco (1.27)
50. Tenderly Relationship (1.04)
51. Love in the Moroccan Royal Family (0.48)
52. Morrocan Wedding Waltz (1.23)
53. Princess Lalla Salma (1.50)
54. Morocco – A Land of Contrasts (1.56)
55. Leader (Pomp & Circumstance) * (0.33)
* Arrangment by Schneider