The series is fine (one of the most expensive television shows we've produced, or so I've heard), but I must disagree with your assessment of the score. Andersen is primarily a sound designer, and as is often the case here in Norway -- sound designers and/or other folk are given the task of composing the music, to save money. And you can hear it here -- lots of sustained drones and a musical structure that really is more sound design than music.
I loved Andersen's work on the Oscar-nominated IDA (and he is a fine sound designer), but this one called for something far more - at least a score by a "proper" composer. But that's my two cents. To end on a positive note -- I'm glad to see Norwegian scores for TV and film get commercial soundtrack releases.
Well, I haven't heard the score on its own yet... I have seen the series, which I liked a lot and the score still had some fine moments here and there... no idea how it will work on its own in its entirety. Perhaps there will be a few highlights and majority is just droning as you say... I will definitely get the CD one day too....
After last year's german miniseries GENERATION WAR, this is another fine TV project produced in Europe dealing with the topic of WW2 and while HWW is more intense and was a bit more expensive production than Generation War, they both have some great moments on screen as well as in the score.
Sure I would have prefered if something this interesting was scored by more high profile composer - I am sure Max Richter or Guy Farley would do a fantastic job, I wasn't disappointed by neither of the scores.
Same here. Only heard it in the series itself, not on album.
Btw, we're currently working on another WW2 show here in Norway, which features music by Nicholas Sillitoe -- a "proper" composer that should have the chops to deliver something worthwhile.
