Easily one of the most enjoyable easy listening albums in my ITunes library is the “Music from the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy” compilation. The album is a prime example of top-notch orchestral pops music as well as a catchy standalone movie soundtrack.
The first tracks comprise a “best of” Klaus Badelt’s work on the first ‘Pirates’ movie. From the melancholy “Moonlight Serenade”, to the epic “To the Pirates Cave/Skull and Cross bones” (which contains the series trademark “He’s a Pirate!” theme), through more brooding pieces such as the “Black Pearl” theme, and back to an emotionally adventurous “Barbossa is Hungry”, the first part of the album runs together with exceptional flow.
The orchestra (the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra) sounds painstakingly refined---typical of Disney productions---with sensational if not over-commercialized strings and a blaring yet incredibly clear sounding brass section. Badelt’s writing for percussion gives the pieces all the drive they need to accompany an action packed movie and overall, every track is completely memorable as their catchy melodies call various scenes from the adventures of Jack, Elizabeth and Will to mind---not to say I wouldn’t recommend this music for those who have not seen the film, it’s great pump up music regardless of your connection to the franchize (I personally enjoy the soundtrack more than the movie itself).
The second portion of the album, and the majority of the music, is selections from Hans Zimmer’s work on the second two ‘Pirates’ movies (he was asked to compose the music for the first installment, but declined to lead the project due to other commitments).
Zimmer’s compositions, also performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic, exude far more evil and darkness than those of Badelt, obviously fitting for the less playful content of the second and third films. “Davie Jones” begins with a light ominous theme played on a bell set, which is quickly joined by a mournful string section. The piece quickly creshendos into a minor gloom-and-doom march in 3, with terrifying synthesizer organs on top and roaring gongs in the background.
“The Kraken” is a percussion stampede with string basses and piano providing a heavy minor foundation while brass and chorus contribute repetitive yet affective exclamations to create a true feeling of danger. The drums provide a back beat at points, illustrating Zimmer’s idea that pirates are the rock and rollers of the seas.
Zimmer’s ‘Pirates’ compositions also include a contemplative “I See Dead People in Boats”, which begins with a beautiful obo solo; an exciting “Up is Down”, with a bouncy feel reminiscent of Badelt’s work on the first film; and “Drink up Me Hardies”, which should be playful do to the fact that an accordion plays the intro theme, but the dark orchestration denies the piece the required level of contentment associated with something truly playful. This latter piece was used in the movies when something major had been accomplished by the protagonists, but everyone (both characters and audience) knew that the adventure was just getting started.
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