Edward Artemiev: Review:  
Edward Artemiev: “So Weit Die Fusse Tragen (As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me)” (Electroshock Records 2005, ELCD 045)
38 tracks. Total time - 70:30.
 

“So Weit Die Fusse Tragen” is a movie I haven’t come across, a Russian/German co-production it tells the story of a German soldier captured at the end of WWII and imprisoned in a Siberian labour camp - he escapes and it takes him three years to reach his family back in Germany. A dramatic storyline and one matched by an equally dramatic score by Edward Artemiev. With a total of thirty-eight tracks, lasting from under a minute to over four minutes in duration, these mini soundscapes convey a variety of expansive mind pictures, but I particularly enjoyed the longer pieces, especially those near the end of the album, some are very beautiful. Listening to a movie soundtrack without the visuals of the movie itself is always a problem as the two elements are so intrinsically entwined together, but I think that this album works well and elements of it could be condensed down into an orchestral suite for concert performance.

John M. Peters (“The Borderland”)


“So Weit Die Fuesse Tragen (As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me)” is the story of a German soldier who escaped from Siberian labour camps during the war on the Russian front only to cover 14.000 kilometers (almost 10.000 miles), mostly by foot trying to reach freedom in Persia, where eight years later he finally reunites with his family. This is the second “Cascadeur Filmproduktion” release (presented in 2001 and directed by Hardy Martins) and the score has been written by well known and established Russian composer and electronic music expert Edward Artemiev. 38 tracks that will take you through the sonic journey that accompanies the journey of this soldier. Very cinematic, at times epic, and definitely highly evocative of bloody battles and suspensful moments. If one doesn’t know the movie (which I haven’t seen), except for a few more eastern European sounding pieces (such as “Bazaar” for example) this original motion picture soundtrack might as well, at times at least, bring sound to pictures such as Gibson’s “Braveheart” or Crowe’s “Gladiator”. This does not go to say that it is as bombastic and hollywoodian; what I mean by that is simply that Artemiev is no less than James-Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard or Danny Elfman and writes grand orchestral arrangments and music that would fit any epic war theme like a glove and is certainly up to spec with movie releases you might have seen in major theaters across the world.

Marc Urselli (“Chain D.L.K.”)

 

Based on Josef Martin Baue’s novel, this true story is the incredible journey undertaken by German soldier Clemens Forell in his dramatic escape from a Siberian labour camp. Set against a backdrop of desolate and inhospitable landscape, beset by danger (from both animals and humans), constantly battling the worst nature can throw at him, Forell makes his way, step by step, kilometre by kilometre, towards Persia and the longed-for freedom. Never, ever, underestimate the sheer power of the human spirit and the force of will when it is inspired by love. That’s the message here. This CD is the soundtrack for the German motion picture - it is symphonic music, touching and strong.

(“DWM” Music Company)

 

 
 
 
     
 
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