Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection is the second soundtrack that accompanied the ITV historical television series Downton Abbey. Composed by John Lunn and performed by the Chamber Orchestra of London, the album consisted of 23 songs, mostly comprising the television score and four songs performed by Mary-Jess Leaverland, Rebecca Ferguson and the Scala & Kolacny Brothers. It was released on 19 September 2012 through Decca Records, two weeks after the second season's premiere.
Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection | ||||
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Soundtrack album by John Lunn and Chamber Orchestra of London | ||||
Released | 19 September 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2011–2012 | |||
Length | 70:55 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Producer | John Lunn | |||
Downton Abbey soundtracks chronology | ||||
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Development
editLunn employed a 35-piece string orchestra in contrast to the previous seasons where he employed a 33-piece orchestra, and comparatively used a piano and an instrument resembling a French horn as the sole instruments for the score.[1] The album featured the main score suite and the song based on it,[2] "Did I Make the Most of Loving You?" performed by Mary-Jess Leaverland, while another original song "I'll Count The Days" performed by Rebecca Ferguson, who co-wrote the song with Don Black.[3][4] Scala & Kolacny Brothers performed the cover of U2's "With or Without You" (1987) and The Police's "Every Breath You Take" (1983) which was featured in the album, except for their cover of "Last Christmas" (originally performed by George Michael and Wham!).[5]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Downton Abbey: The Suite" |
| 7:09 |
2. | "Love and the Hunter" |
| 3:18 |
3. | "Emancipation" |
| 2:15 |
4. | "Story of My Life" |
| 1:58 |
5. | "Did I Make the Most of Loving You?" |
| 4:18 |
6. | "Nothing To Forgive" |
| 2:34 |
7. | "Fashion" |
| 1:19 |
8. | "Damaged" |
| 5:24 |
9. | "New World" |
| 1:51 |
10. | "I'll Count The Days" |
| 2:41 |
11. | "The Fallen" |
| 3:01 |
12. | "A Glimpse of Happiness" |
| 2:03 |
13. | "Elopement" |
| 4:44 |
14. | "Preparation" |
| 3:26 |
15. | "Us and Them" |
| 1:53 |
16. | "Patrick" |
| 1:52 |
17. | "Deception" |
| 2:51 |
18. | "A Dangerous Path" |
| 3:13 |
19. | "With Or Without You" |
| 4:34 |
20. | "Violet" |
| 1:56 |
21. | "An Ideal Marriage" |
| 2:45 |
22. | "A Song and a Dance" |
| 1:28 |
23. | "Every Breath You Take" |
| 4:27 |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from liner notes.[6]
- Composer – John Lunn (tracks: 1–18, 20–22)
- Producer – John Lunn (tracks: 1–18, 20–22), Steven & Stijn Kolacny (track: 19, 23)
- Orchestra – The Chamber Orchestra Of London
- Conductor – Alastair King
- Recording and mixing – Paul Golding
- Mastering – Nick Watson
- Piano – John Lunn (tracks: 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18)
Charts
editChart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Compilation Albums (OCC)[7] | 83 |
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[8] | 7 |
References
edit- ^ Halperin, Shirley (4 September 2012). "'Downton Abbey' Composer on the Show's Runaway Success, 'Happy' Future and Coldplay-Like Score (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Mapes, Diane (17 February 2013). "Why the 'Downton Abbey' theme song makes us drool". Today.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Downton Abbey – The Essential Collection". Amazon. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Rebecca Ferguson Records A Song For 'Downton Abbey', But Admits: 'I've Never Watched It'". HuffPost UK. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ Glanfield, Tim (14 December 2011). "Scala & Kolacny Brothers: the secret soundtrack to your screen". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ John Lunn; Chamber Orchestra of London. Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection (Media notes). Decca Records.
- ^ "Official Compilation Albums Chart Top 100 – 30 September to 6 October". Official Charts Company. 30 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Official Soundtrack Albums Chart Top 50 – 30 September to 6 October". Official Charts Company. 30 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.