Meggin Listens to Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol Soundtrack

Murray Gold, the composer for the outrageously spectacular TV serial Doctor Who, has composed yet another firecracker of a soundtrack for the 2010 Christmas special, A Christmas Carol.

One way to make a soundtrack great is to start it off with a fantastic opener, and Come Along Pondtakes the cake. I can actually imagine the first scene of the Christmas Special in my head, going along with the music. It’s fast-paced, intensely moving, and it makes me excited to listen to the rest of the CD.

There were several themes I’ve noticed throughout this soundtrack. It has a very Christmassy feel to it; there are occasional jolly songs with jingling bells like Christmas Dinner, and some slow, flowing songs that remind me of the more passive moments of Christmas, like in Halfway out of the Dark, but that’s what one can expect from a Christmas Special soundtrack. The use of a choir also adds to the Christmas spirit, like in the previously mentioned song, and it reminded me of the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack by Danny Elfman.

In almost every song, I could match it to the dialogue of the show. When I listen to The Course of My Life, Everything Has to End Some Time, and I Can’t Save Her, I can listen to the song and think of the words that go along with it on the TV show.

The Doctor’s fast-paced theme can be heard in some songs! I could detect it in Come Along Pond,Ghost of Christmas Past, and Everything Has to End Some Time. I hope the Doctor’s theme will make an appearance in series six!

The highlight of the soundtrack is obviously Abigail’s Song. Katherine Jenkins is so amazing. She has a brilliant voice, and if you were to combine Katherine and Murray’s musical talent, you’d get this dazzling song. It’s also the only song in the entire soundtrack with words, and lyrics that Moffat wrote hint at something even more:

“When you’re alone, Silence is all you know.”

Could this “Silence” be the same Silence mentioned in series five?

Murray Gold has certainly written a brilliantic Christmas Special album. I started listening to his music after I was entranced by the amazing, outstanding music he wrote for series five of Doctor Who. After listening to this album, I feel a new excitement for series six!