HAPPENING, THE

Label: Varese Sarabande 302 066 901 2
Date: 2008
Tracks: 18
Time = 50:07

Original soundtrack from M. Night Shyamalan thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo. James Newton Howard scores for full orchestra, spotlights solo cello throughout. While upper strings appear, create other-worldly feel, real emphasis is on intense low colors from soloist plus bass clarinet, tuba, trombone, French horn in lowest register. Muted trumpets add to suspense. Icy cold feel is often name of game. When chaos erupts, composer creates sheer terror with chord clusters, powerful rhythms. "Mrs. Jones" becomes one such powerhouse highlight. Scary! One rich moment of respite: soaring strings during "Be With You" with quasi-religioso feel results in harmonically dense, emotionally moving cue. Another big asset: Lengthy end credits offers expressive melody, abundance of delicate piano, harp plus brief foray into exciting territory before winding down to very satisfying close with nervous marimba motif. Great cue! Maya Beiser plays cello, Pete Anthony conducts Hollywood Studio Symphony, helps Howard deliver a knockout!

1. Main Titles (2:18) 2. Evacuating Philadelphia (2:21) 3. Vice Principal (1:56) 4. Central Park (2:58) 5. We Lost Contact (0:59) 6. You Can't Just Leave Us Here (1:43) 7. Rittenhouse Square (1:59) 8. Five Miles Back (1:13) 9. Princeton (3:06) 10. Jess Comforts Elliot (2:31) 11. My Firearm Is My Friend (2:59) 12. Abandoned House (1:32) 13. Shotgun (4:27) 14. You Eyin' My Lemon Drink? (4:28) 15. Mrs. Jones (1:44) 16. Voices (1:36) 17. Be With You (3:41) 18. End Title Suite (8:36)