The Cairo Declaration

Ye Xiaogang and Chad Cannon

 
" No surprise here, Moviescore Media unleashes yet another gem "

Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release

Kai Luo Xua Nyan or The Cairo Declaration will get people's attention, especially from music lovers who occasionally search for the unknown little gem. It's first of all a very melodic and engaging piece of work. It's the kind of score that immediately stands out from the other average'ness of the world. Because a simple thematic or melodic idea can go a long way, and composers Ye Xiaogang and Chad Cannon understood this all too well. Perhaps the biggest flaw (if I can call it a flaw) is that the wonderful ideas aren't always fully developed to their most explosive finale, all the while occasional temp track influences keeps wandering through. But the end result is still a strikingly good orchestral score, one that will feel a lot warmer, and a hell of a lot more engaging inside the picture. Nuff said, it's not for an American production, so emotion can and will be felt throughout the music.

From The Godfather like main theme in "Red Star Over China" to the dramatic engaging music in "Enemies of the Nazi Regime" and "Pearl Harbor" to The Last of the Mohicans (temp track) thrill in "Spy Arrested". Every little bit of this score sounds and feels like proper dramatic music, the stuff that (when mixed right) can give chills inside the picture. And while several cues might have a problem delivering the final blow, somehow it doesn't heart the experience too much.

Furthermore, the large drama and the engaging power of cues such as "Assault on Chong Qing" and "America Enters the War" have a temp track smell I sadly can not place, but it feels and breaths like proper orchestral film music (a reason why Conrad Pope is popping up in my mind is Chad Cannon's work as orchestrator on Pope's scores). Or the Georges Delerue pleasantness in "Mao and the Journalist" that is just too lovely to ignore. Sadly that wonderful opening theme doesn't return anymore, sadly because it was really something. Luckily we have the John Barry warmth in "The Broadcast" and the thrilling "Japanese Surrender" instead, enough to keep us entertained.

The Cairo Declaration is still full of dramatic, engaging and thrilling music. Often having the distinct feeling I'm hearing greatness in small beginnings. A strong contender this score is.

Track Listing

1. Red Star Over China (2.01) Excellent track
2. Air Raid (3.38)
3. Bombers on the Yanghtze (2.02) Excellent track
4. Blossoming Romance (2.48)
5. Assault on Chong Qing (4.56)
6. Enemies of the Nazi Regime (3.14)
7. Mao and the Journalist (1.50)
8. Spy Arrested (2.14)
9. Deliberations (2.27)
10. Pearl Harbor (5.22) Excellent track
11. Epitaph (1.46)
12. America Enters the War (4.18)
13. Briefing Roosevelt (2.46)
14. Traitor (2.27)
15. Progress (1.46)
16. The Cairo Declaration (3.04)
17. War's End (2.48)
18. The Broadcast (2.08)
19. Japanese Surrender (1.23) Excellent track
20. Mao at the Shore of the Yellow River (1.02)
21. Pray (3.49) Excellent track

Total Length: 57.49
(click to rate this score)  
 
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(total of 5 votes - average 3.4/5)

Released by

MovieScore Media MMS16006 (regular release 2016)