Never Let Me Go Rachel Portman

I haven't seen the film this music is for, although I have read and very much enjoyed the book: my review is not for the music in the film but the music on this CD, as a listening experience.And as such, it's pretty wonderful. There is a deep melancholy here, the tracks blend beautifully into a serties of variations and restatements of a couple of sad, lonely themes - the violin in particular is a strong, plaintive voice throughout. This is not a CD for happy listening, but it is very beautiful.Be warned, however: the final track is a blaring torch-song, totally out of keeping with what has gone before. It totally shatters the mood of the disc. I suggest you program your player to skip the last track!

An accomplished composer himself, I'm not sure why Ishiguro didn't contribute to the soundtrack. (Hopefully because he was/is too busy working on his next full-length novel...) That said, Portman has delivered an enchanting body of work. It seems that the critique of Rachel Portman's NLMG soundtrack is similar to many of the criticisms that often accompany Ishiguro's writing - it's not "exciting" enough, it's not "sexy" enough, it doesn't have the musical equivalent of car chases or explosions. If this soundtrack was for a film based on a Dan Brown book, I might concede one or two of the points. As it is for a rendering of an Ishiguro novel, I would suggest Portman has captured things perfectly. I confess I am also a little perplexed by the comments "solo instruments doodling" and "tuneless." Seriously? Portman's soundtrack is intricate and, at times, complex. Other times it is sweet, melancholy and purposely spacious - much like the author's novel on which the film is based. At no point are the musicians "doodling" or is any of the music "tuneless."

I don't know where to begin. I saw the movie then read the book. I found both deeply emotional and complex and the soundtrack fits those characteristics perfectly. I honestly do not see how it could be improved. There are many issues regarding the story - don't want to go into them here for those who do not know the story- but the complexity of the main music theme, especially, and the use of minor key and strings tell the story of this parallel culture in a way only music can. This is on my list of favorites - book/movie/soundtrack.

I have been waiting for this CD for a very long time, as it was out of stock. I loved the beautiful movie and hope to read the book soon. I wanted to add to the other reviews here that the music has melodic flavors reminiscent of Rimsky-Korsakov's classic Scheherazade as well as a beautiful sea song by Sting called "Valparaiso." It uses strings and woodwinds as soloists to carry variations on the theme beautifully and almost hauntingly---faithful to the tone of the story. I plan to order more copies as gifts.

There is something about this music that haunts the soul. I loved the book and the movie but I believe it is this score that brought the story to life.

This CD is great for relaxation and meditation. It inspires deep emotions, and depending on the mood of the listener, it can complement sad, as well as happy thoughts. It is useful during the massage,studying, or right before sleeping. The string melodies are simply beautiful, especially the main themes. If you are a fan of the book or the movie, you'll love this CD!

Perfect for the film.

Beautifully wrought - haunting and unforgettable, like the movie.

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This is excellent contemporary film music which matches the book/film superbly

Oh this music! It's simply the most melancholic music I've heard in ages, and fits the film so aptly! Highly recommended.

A surprising story, but believable. Scored by Rachel Portman with her usual ''quiet'' manner.

Great soundtrack