MovieScore Media/Kronos Records release Mark Candasamy’s score to Anne & Alet, a Norwegian documentary detailing the gruesome story of the eponymous sisters, Anne and Alet Christophersdatter. The two girls from Øyestad poisoned several people in the 1770s, leading to the most gruesome executions in 18th century Norway. When the two girls eventually confessed their crimes and were sentenced to death by dismemberment and decapitation, the executioner didn’t take any pity on them which resulted in a literal bloodbath that horrified the thousands of onlookers. Although they were punished for their crimes, still nobody knew what made these beautiful women commit their horrific deeds...

Mark Candasamy's orchestral score for Anne & Alet straddles the line between score and classical music. There are so many beautiful themes woven throughout this album, that even after listening to this constantly for over a week, I'm still discovering things about it that I love.

The album contains 16 tracks, representing 43 minutes of music. Personal highlights include 'Main Title'; 'The Drifter'; 'The Crowd Gathers' (which has some of them most incredible suspense music I've heard in a long time); 'Knackerman' (which opens with a segment that reminded me of Bernard Herrmann's 'Scene D'Amour' from Vertigo (1958)); and 'Finale: The Execution at Øiestad'.

As a bonus, the soundtrack also includes the premiere recording of Concert Suite from Anne and Alet, recorded live in the summer of 2013 at the Norwegian town of Risør.

This is a most impressive score - and one I'd suggest all lovers of classically scored soundtracks should add to their collection as soon as possible.

10

Darren Rea