One challenge with import soundtracks is placing them in proper context when the films are unavailable outside of the country of origin. The liner notes for this downloadable album are in Polish, but it's pretty straightforward from the cue breakdown that Dzieci z doliny mtynow is a best-of compilation album, gathering favourite themes from three mini-series which ran on Polish TV from 1985-1990.

The first seven tracks are from Urwisy z Doliny Mlynów (1985), which set up Andrzej Korzynski's main theme – a lengthy and deliberately heartwarming piece where the composer uses synths to emulate woodwinds, harmonica, and concertina solos backed by orchestra. Some of the theme variations use real woodwinds, but the synths add a more saccharine tone that emphasizes the drama's family elements, and while elegantly orchestrated, the synths are very much from the mid-eighties, and date the score somewhat.

Korzynski seems to have recognized the unique character of the electronic emulations, and he reserves them for moments of warmth, familial bliss, and jovial exchanges; lower strings and percussion are employed for moody cues, of which the best is “Jaskinia/Kapitan Grozny/Tajemnica.” Subtle bass synths pepper the cue's intro section, but it's an intriguing, ethereal theme variation, with real woodwinds and chimes, and haunting strings that are quite Komedian, particularly the smooth combination of lilting harmonics, gliding chimes, coarse flutes, and a skulking tempo.

For the follow-up series, Klementynka i Klemens - gesi z Doliny Mlynów (1986), Korzynski extracts a section from his lengthy theme and mostly reserves synths for brief bits of harmonica, perhaps just to recall the flavour of the prior mini-series and give viewers a sense of familiarity before moving into newer terrain. The strings also play a more prominent role in the score, often emphasizing high register notes, while oboe and flute gently introduce moments of genuine tenderness.

“Na dziedzincu” is one of the longer cues, and with strings and muted brass, Korzynski establishes a neat little waltz that sidesteps into moments of gentility, and wry humour via gestures from trumpet. The harmonics have a curiously Asian feel, something akin to Maurice Jarre (yet less idiosyncratic, and nowhere nearly as grating).

With each subsequent recording, there's a marked boost in fidelity and richness, and the third mini-series, Janka (1990), has much fuller sound. Korzynski also maintains a more even balance between orchestral elements and synths, but there are some cues where the large orchestra reigns supreme, such as the moving “Milosc/Tesknota/Melancholia,” which offers an extended point of meditation within the story's otherwise emotional narrative.

Korzynski also introduces some darker and thematically fresh material in “Tajemnice/Strachy,” and he plays with tempi by switching from a hastened pace to the more ethereal, Komedian aspects of “Jaskinia/Kapitan Grozny/Tajemnica.”

The score's tone shifts back towards a greater usage of synths, particularly as emotional intro motifs in cues like “Licytacja,” with its carnivalesque intro.

Of the three score suites, Janka is the most satisfying because of the greater variety of melodic and more dissonant variations, but fans of the series will be happy the main themes from the first two mini-series are given some time on this well-produced album. The synth elements are rather jarring, but Korzynski's approach isn't to replace a full range of instruments with electronics, and while the album begins on a heavily saccharine suite of main theme variations, this is a good intro to a notable Polish composer.

Albums by Andrzej Korzynski available from Soundtracks.PL include Dzieci z doliny młynów (1985-1990), Sweet Music, and Szamanka / Shaman (1995).

© 2007 Mark R. Hasan