Movie soundtracks have a responsibility to heighten the emotional value of the film itself. Barrington Pheloung achieves this in HILARY AND JACKIE. By including Jacqueline du Pré's performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto in its entirety, Pheloung not only pays tribute to du Pré, but allows the listener to get a sense of what she was about in a way the actors can't express. The synergy between du Pré and Barenboim is evident in every phrase, yet Jackie finally outshines even the orchestra. The Elgar was Jackie's piece, and no other recording comes close.
The other music on this disc is simple, yet poignant. Pheloung features the cello in his compositions, and Caroline Dale does an excellent job of being Jackie in her cello playing. Pheloung includes an arrangement of a song which the du Pré sisters sang as children, showing that he is not only a good composer, but is in touch with the material and emotion behind the film. The score is never excessive, and though sentimental at times, it seems appropriate to the tragic nature of this story.