A Christmas Carol (soundtrack)

A Christmas Carol (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score composed by Alan Silvestri to the 2009 Christmas fantasy film A Christmas Carol directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on the 1843 novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. The film featured an ensemble motion-captured and voice cast that includes Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, Cary Elwes and Fionnula Flanagan. The film score is composed by regular Zemeckis collaborator Alan Silvestri, and performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony, and released through Walt Disney Records on November 3, 2009.

The film score is composed by regular Zemeckis collaborator Alan Silvestri, who noted that the director enjoyed working on motion capture animation very much and in this film, he noticed on the familiarity and nostalgia of the original Christmas carols and had specific ideas in mind. He wrote several specific themes based on traditional Christmas carols such as "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen", "Deck the Halls", "O Come, All Ye Faithful", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World".^[1]

The score was written much earlier as they had to begin production for motion capture. He initially started writing themes for the film prior to the Christmas of 2008, but by the end of January 2009, he had to halt it midway so that he could work on Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. After finishing the latter by May 2009, he resumed writing the themes for the film.^[1]

Before completing the film's score, Zemeckis wanted a "classic Christmas song" which was "supremely spiritual but not religious" and needed to be titled "God bless us, everyone" based on the famous phrase spoken by the fictional character Tiny Tim. He need a song that "would live on, after the film, as part of the lexicon of Christmas music".^[2]

Silvestri then associated with his longtime songwriter Glen Ballard, for a tune that seemed appropriate, but Zemeckis did not find it appropriate. Hence, they tried in the style of traditional carols such as "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, heard the song demo and agreed to perform that number, in a two-day schedule. He recorded the song in English, Italian and Spanish versions. This song was included in his studio album My Christmas (2009).^[2]

Silvestri conducted the Hollywood Studio Symphony, while also orchestrating it with William Ross, Conrad Pope and John Ashton Thomas. The score was recorded at the Newman Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, California.^[3] The orchestra and choir were recorded at the last two days of scoring sessions; though the orchestra being recorded in Los Angeles, the choir was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London, the next day.^[3] "Present" by JUJU is the theme song for the Japanese version.^[4]

The score to A Christmas Carol was released through Walt Disney Records on November 3, 2009. It was only released as a digital download through MP3 and other loseless audio formats.^[5] A physical release of the album was published by Intrada Records which released through CDs in 2013.^[6]

Thomas Glorieux of Maintitles wrote "what Alan Silvestri did wrong for Night at the Museum 2 and GI. Joe, he has surely corrected with A Christmas Carol. It has a cheerful main theme, inspiring underscore and a couple of standout moments that make me even forget I was ever mad at the composer in question. But we must be mad, because Alan Silvestri remains of the true last musketeers of filmmusic, and we must expect the best of him each time. Unfair I know, but at least Scrooge unraveled once again the good old Silvestri to put under that Christmas tree. Not as dazzling as The Polar Express, but darn humbug close nonetheless."^[7] Jonathan Broxton of Movie Music UK wrote "Having said that, and being fully aware of all its influences and inspirations, A Christmas Carol remains a thoroughly entertaining album, with several sparkling moments of Yuletide magic. Personally, I feel this is Silvestri’s most satisfying score since The Polar Express and Van Helsing five years ago."^[8]

Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks wrote "Ultimately, had Silvestri relied a bit less on the traditional melodies, the score could have easily earned four stars; his choice to lean so heavily on them ensured functionality but is somewhat tiring after forty minutes."^[9] Sean Wilson of MFiles wrote "A Christmas Carol is one of Alan Silvestri's most purely satisfying scores, a multi-faceted listening experience that is able to tell Charles Dickens' story on its terms brilliantly. It samples all that is great about the composer – witty instrumental ensembles, heartfelt writing for choir, superb action music – into a brilliant package that is sure to go down as one of the classic Yuletide film scores. It's a graceful, intelligent, beautiful and occasionally scary work that marks a high point between the composer and director Robert Zemeckis. Long may it continue – and God bless us, everyone!"^[10]

Critic Roger Ebert stated that, "The score by Alan Silvestri sneaks in some traditional Christmas carols, but you have to listen for such as “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” when its distinctive cadences turn sinister during a perilous flight through London."^[11] Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter called it a "robust score".^[12] John Hazelton of Screen International wrote "Carol also benefits from strong work by Zemeckis regulars, production designer Doug Chiang and composer Alan Silvestri. Giving the film another potential commercial hook, Andrea Bocelli belts out the closing credits song God Bless Us Everyone, composed by Silvestri and Glen Ballard."^[13] Harrison Pierce of Collider wrote "lovely score".^[14] Amy Lamare of MovieWeb called it one of the best film scores of 2000s, adding "Silvestri produces music that helps create a magical feeling for fans while watching A Christmas Carol around the Holidays."^[15]

Credits adapted from liner notes:^[16]