Cyrano/ Original OST

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Cyrano/ Motion Picture Soundtrack 

Music: Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner

Label: Universal Music

Rating: *****

To begin with, an introduction to the Dessner brothers is in order. Twins Aaron and Bryce are part of the American alt-rock band The National, playing multiple roles including guitarist, keyboardist and composer. A part of the group Big Red Machine, Aaron has also produced the Taylor Swift albums Folklore and Evermore, whereas Bryce has collaborated with  many A-list musicians.

In 2018, they worked on Erica Schmidt's stage musical Cyrano, with lyrics written by The National frontman Matt Berninger and his wife Carin Besser. Last year, British filmmaker Joe Wright adapted that into a movie, and the Dessners worked on the music. Both these are adaptations of the Edmond Dostand's 1897 play Cyrano De Bengerac, written in poetry form and staged by many, with Christopher Plummer also playing the lead role in the 1973 stage musical.

Cyrano is a period musical love triangle, if such a classification exists. The lead character Cyrano, played brilliantly by Peter Dinklage, is in love with Roxanne (Haley Bennett) but she has fallen for Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr). Aware that his looks and social status aren't in his favour, Cyrano offers the gift of his poetry to Christian as a sacrifice.

Naturally, music and words play an important part, and around 40 per cent of the script is in the form of song. In Hollywood musical drama style, the songs are sung by the cast. With the help of pianist Vikingur Olaffson and the London Contemporary Orchestra, the Dessners create a magical sonic experience.

The soundtrack of such a musical must fulfill three objectives. It should add to the film's impact while one is watching. It must have a period feel that blends with the narrative, and yet appeal to contemporary audiences. And it must sound good enough to warrant repeated listens when heard outside the visual context. The Cyrano soundtrack achieves all.

There are 27 tunes spread over an hour and 18 minutes, with vocal numbers and instrumentals alternating well. While the vocal pieces have a high theatrical quotient, strong on lyrics, the music uses classical, French folk and Celtic influences. The original play is set in France, and that's obviously been considered.

The track sequence follows the story, and after the introductory instrumentals, Bennett sings 'Someone To Say'. The opening lines, "What does it feel like, to slow-dance in sunlight, with someone you love? Somebody who sees you, won’t ever leave you alone, whatever comes" are an indication of the romance and passion on many of the songs ahead.

On 'Madly', for instance, Dinklage sings, "Have you ever wanted something, so badly you cannot breathe, have you ever loved someone, madly?" Bennett and Dinklage have a powerful duet on 'Overcome', where she admits, "I have no doubt to know that you're the one now".

Of the other cast, Harrison Jr appears on 'Close My Eyes' and Ben Mendelssohn's voice booms on 'What I Deserve', where he sings "I deserve a little kindness, I deserve my due respect" as an address to Roxanne.

While all the actors sing fabulously, there's a stunning guest appearance by Irish singer Glen Hansard on 'Wherever I Fall - Part 1'. Finally, The National come in at the end with Berninger singing, "That wasn't me, I don't know who that was, that was somebody desperate, someone in love".

These intense love songs, heard along with some superbly crafted instrumentals, make the Cyrano soundtrack an engaging listening experience. Of course, it helps to be familiar with the concept. The film was recently screened online by the Variety magazine's streaming service, and the songs sound brilliant. The audio experience is another trip.