BRYCE DESSNER & AARON DESSNER (THE NATIONAL)

Cyrano Soundtrack (Decca)

Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac has had more screen, radio and theatre adaptations than you can shake a stick at since its creation in 1897, with a scene even being re-enacted in an episode of Star Trek of all places. Rostand’s timeless tale of unrequited love is likely to be around until the end of time, but future versions are unlikely to have anything as equally seductive and slick as the soundtrack the Dessner brothers – of The National fame – have created for the latest film adaptation of Cyrano, from acclaimed Atonement and Pride & Prejudice director Joe Wright, without forgetting some added compositions by pianist Vikingur Olafsonn.

The single Someone To Say, with vocals by actress Haley Bennet, is probably the most commercial introduction to a soundtrack otherwise filled with strings and an element of uncluttered, contemporary-leaning beauty. It all comes to a finale with a rather grand new National track that plays over the Cyrano soundtrack’s end credits.

words DAVID NOBAKHT