Poldark: Music from the TV Series Deluxe Version

There is one person I know of who likes this series better than I do - my wife. So I'm speaking for both of us in recommending Poldark. But first, we must get the negatives out of the way. These are my wife's, incidentally. First, what kind of name is Poldark? I confess that this question has absolutely paralyzed my usual facility for a witty comeback.Second, that's a terrible picture of Aidan Turner featured on the poster. This is solid evidence that there are other pictures she likes better. Yes, she's besotted. Anyway, from the writing by Anne Dudley, to the wonderful music, the gorgeous scenery and most of all, the superb acting which makes us fall in love with, or as the case may be, seriously desire to strangle, the characters, this series is simply outstanding. Period pieces typically struggle with the dilemma posed by portraying people in stories far removed from the time and place in which we all live now. They either come off as alien to us, with characters we don't identify with facing issues we don't understand; or they modernize everything but the costumes to make it relatable ("Yo Saul, I could like, totally beast this Goliath dude. You feel me?") This series transports you to another time and place where you get to know and sympathize with the characters and understand what they're going through without sacrificing authenticity. And I'll admit, Aidan Turner's not bad looking. Now Eleanor Tomlinson on the other hand.... Oops, sorry. Wife's calling. Gotta go.

DOES NOT CONTAIN "DEMELZA'S SONG" (I'D A PLUCK A FAIR ROSE)This soundtrack has some wonderful tracks from the TV series that leans a little more orchestral than traditional. The beautiful title orchestra piece along with "Medhel an Gwyns" are both included. However, the short piece I'd Pluck a Fair Rose or Demelza's Song was not included. I loved the orchestral soundtrack with some fiddle mixed in here and there on other tracks for a more traditional feel at times. However, if you are like me, you searched out this CD to hear Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) sing at least two songs and there is the minor disappointment. I don't know how far they really scored that song for Demelza, so maybe they felt it wasn't substantial or long enough. That's a pity.However, the missing song was released as a single reprised by L'Orchestra Cinematique here:  Demelza's Song (From "Poldark")  I played it side by side with the program and it is not the same recording. It is very beautiful and will scratch that itch, but it is not as haunting as the original. Eleanor Tomlinson has such a special way with both her songs and Demelza's Song in particular would really have been nice to have Tomlinson's version from the movie on this CD.

This new Poldark is superb.....and exceeds my expectations. I can see why Aidan Turner was the only actor considered for the role of Ross Poldark. Eleanor Tomlinson is perfect as Demelza. The entire cast is excellent. Not only do I admire the acting abilities of Aidan and Eleanor; I am also grateful to them for bringing these beloved characters and this powerful saga to life again.Indeed....Thanks to Aidan and Eleanor.....Ross and Demelza are more than just characters; They are flesh-and-blood people.I loved the first Poldark with Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees (saddened by her untimely death); I also read the five or six Poldark novels.Yet the new production at least equals it. In fact Aidan confers haunted, intense - almost spooky - qualities to his Ross that really enhance the production. Yes, he is very attractive and physically suited to play Ross as well - but this can't be done with looks alone. In order to do Aidan justice we must recognize that it is ultimately his talent and dedication that have brought Ross back to life. My only criticism is that it could have been longer, with more detail and small moments among the characters. I hope that, in light of the stunning success of this first series, the second (and hopefully several more) series will offer a slower pace, as this fine cast, the characters they play, deserve it, as do the books themselves.The music for the new series is beautiful and powerful - and does the series far better justice than did that sappy, soapy theme music used in the first Poldark. (That music was the only thing I disliked about the 1970's Poldark....in fact I detested it...).I am watching Poldark on Masterpiece now - but am looking forward to watching the complete unedited form on the DVD's. Here's to Poldark's return!

I guess we expected the soundtrack to be as haunting as the background to the series. It's not. It's o.k., just less than we expected. (They don't do much more than give you snippets on some of the pieces... on the screen you don't notice it... as a standalone that's a disappointment.)

The most beautiful CD I have ever heard!! Eleanor/Demelza sings 3 songs on it. Just beautiful. What a beautiful voice she has!! The music fits the series to a T. Just love this CD. So happy I purchased it but makes me realize how much I miss Poldark during the off season!! Highly recommend the CD & the series.

This is one of the best CD' s I have ever purchased!!! As a huge Poldark fan, I wanted to have the music to remind me of the series and some of its scenes. But it surpassed all my expectations. It is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I listen to the CD several times a week and love it more every time I hear it.

From the opening notes of the Poldark series, I was hooked by the Soundtrack. The music is breath-taking, and I love being able to listen to it whenever I wish. LOVE those opening strings !! I'm still hooked !

Pretty neat, that I was able to pin-point the music with some of the scenes in the Poldark TV series!I usually "only" order, movie, soundtracks for a tune, or song, I liked, during the movie.

Lovely, atmospheric, haunting, sometimes beautiful, sometimes impending menace, sometimes so sad, sometimes so uplifting. Always Poldark and Cornwall.For those millions of us who thoroughly enjoyed the brilliant TV series, listening to the music will bring it all back so vividly. Since rarely in a TV series can the music (like the scenery) have been so integral to the storylines? I rarely enjoy soundtrack albums; so often, you find a couple of "headline" pieces, and a load of filling-in. Not so here. Every piece stands by itself, and every piece tells a story. For those who have not (yet?) seen the TV series, I would say many will nevertheless enjoy the music anyway.People will all have their own favourites. Three that stood out for me personally, in part because of the association with the scenes in the series, were the beautiful, haunting "Medhel an Gwyns", "The Longest Walk" and "Becoming Porcelain". Those familiar with the series can probably guess which scenes the last two relate to? Eleanor Tomlinson's beautiful singing of Mike O'Connor's lovely, haunting words on "Medhel an Gwyns" is a treat and absolute highlight. If she'd not become an actress, she'd surely have made a fine singer?The only disappointment for me is that the CD is restricted to Anne Dudley's (superb) music and a piece she has co-writing credits for. This means we do not see Mike O'Connor and Winston Graham's wonderful "I d' pluck a fair rose..." included. Eleanor singing that beautiful, haunting piece was a highlight of the series for me. But this is a small quibble, and should not detract from the most enjoyable soundtrack CD I have heard for a long long time.

I wasn't intending EVER to write another review... I did loads and then one day I had one removed, without notice, saying it was a breach of regulations! There was NOTHING wrong with it whatsoever and I was so demoralised I gave up. However....Having just received this WONDERFUL album I am having to "break my own rule" just this once (?) !!This is THE most haunting work ever! I don't know if composer Anne Dudley has any Cornish connections but speaking as a native, and one who lives on top of the cliffs in the far south-west of the county, I can only confirm that she has caught the heart and soul of Poldark country!Eleanor Tomlinson's vocals are AWESOME - right up there with the likes of Loreena McKennitt (can't wait for her album "Music From Home" to be released in May!)There always has to be a little down-side and in this case (as others have pointed out) it is a couple of "missing songs" which really should have been included, and the fact that the actual TV theme tune is only 46 seconds duration! Since this is the piece that I daresay drew most of us to buy the album I think some effort could have been taken to lengthen it a little!But read all the reviews you can find; if that alone does not sell you on this album nothing will!SHEER BEAUTY!

This is a very relaxing CD and I love the composition of the music, I have listened to it alot while driving and it's very therapeutic.I would agree with another reviewer about the main Poldark Theme, as it's such a beautiful piece and could have easily been extended to be longer but as it is sounds terribly short which is such a shame.Another thing I was really disappointed with is that it doesn't have Demelza's song on it - I'd pluck a fair rose for my love? Why isn't this hauntingly beautiful song included?Medhel an Gwyns is included which is lovely, such a shame the other one isn't otherwise this would have a got a five stars from me.

Very disappointed with this, as its mainly several versions of the theme tune (which I usually love) played so often you have to turn it off! Save your money, and if you have the dvd, just leave it on 'episode select' where it plays the intro over and over.. it does the same job!

My partner & I recently caught up with the entire 3 series of Poldark and absolutely loved this modern adaptation. And as the music was a key element to the series' success, we were delighted to discover this CD collection. Anne Dudley's soundtrack is wonderfully evocative of the Cornwall I know and love; the music is not only achingly beautiful, but also hugely uplifting and emotionally-charged. The landscapes, plotlines and many characters we've grown to know and love are conjured up vividly by this atmospheric score. And Eleanor Tomlinson's folk-tinged vocals are exquisite!Our only reservation is the order of the playlist: personally, I would have put the show's opening Theme at the beginning (not the middle of the CD?) and perhaps left the 'Suite from Poldark' until the end ... thus closing on a more positive note, rather than the very dark one we're left with here. To me, a soundtrack should also have a story arc to mirror the drama of the movie or series it accompanies; and although series 3 ended with various loose ends - some hinting at darker plot shades - I still think it's better to close a collection such as this with a more uplifting feel ...which is why the 'Suite' would have provided the perfect conclusion.