Album

Theo Angelopoulos' 2008 film Dust of Time deals with the loss experienced by two Greek lovers separated by the Second World War, and the ways their loss is felt for generations. Eleni Karaindrou's atmospheric score is appropriately melancholy; she draws heavily on the folk traditions of Greece and Eastern Europe to evoke the sadness that permeates the film. She has an orchestra and an assortment of soloists, including folk musicians, at her disposal, but the majority of her tracks use only a few instruments: harp, violin, and accordion or bassoon, oboe, and cello, for instance. These small ensembles create a mood of intimacy that highlights the personal consequences of the larger devastation caused by the war. All of the music is either modal or in a minor key, so the mood is unrelieved by levity or joy. With the variety of instrumental combinations and the brevity of the tracks, the uniformity of mood isn't a problem. Karaindrou has an exceedingly light touch in her instrumentation, and she finds a broad range of ways to express grief, foreboding, and unfulfilled yearning. The performances, by the soloists and the Hellenic Radio Television Orchestra, led by Alexandros Myrat, are jewel-like in their delicacy and clarity. ECM's sound is immaculate, as is characteristic of the exemplary work of Manfred Eicher. The soundtrack is a lovely reminder of the film and should appeal to listeners looking for an album of gentle, contemplative, melancholy music with an Eastern European flavor.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1
Eleni Karaindrou Composer Dust of Time, film score Work 44:37 Antonios Lagos French Horn, Sergiu Schwartz Violin, Dinos Hadjiiordanou Accordion, Maria Bildea Harp, Alexandros Myrat Conductor, Eleni Karaindrou Piano, Renato Ripo Cello, Hellenic Radio Television Orchestra Orchestra, Vangelis Christopoulos Oboe, Spyros Kazianis Bassoon
1	Le temps perdu	2:07			$0.99
2	Dance Theme, Variation II	2:40			$0.99
3	Notes I	1:18			$0.49
4	Seeking, Variation II	2:23			$0.99
5	Waltz by the River	3:33			$0.99
6	Unravelling Time I	1:21			$0.49
7	Tsiganiko I	1:22			$0.49
8	Dance Theme, Variation I	3:17			$0.99
9	Seeking	2:37			$0.99
10	Memories from Siberia	3:16			$0.99
11	Unraveling Time II	1:21			$0.49
12	Notes II	2:33			$0.99
13	Tsiganiko II	1:21			$0.49
14	Seeking, Variation I	3:26			$0.99
15	Dance Theme	4:30			$0.99
16	Le mal du pays	1:16			$0.49
17	Nostalgia Song	1:37			$0.49
18	Solitude	2:21			$0.99
19	Adieu	2:18			$0.99