IN THE LAND OF SAINTS AND SINNERS

Caldera Records proudly presents Diego, Nora and Lionel Baldenweg’s score for “In the Land of Saints & Sinners.”

Director Robert Lorenz created a noir western that plays with genre elements: Following a bombing in Belfast four members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) go into hiding in the Irish coastal town of Glencolmcille—the law knows no mercy for killer terrorists. The group, including Doireann’s brother, Curtis (Desmond Eastwood), briefly find refuge, but unbeknownst to them, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson), an assassin who works for a local gangster, lives in the vicinity.

After being introduced to director Robert Lorenz long before “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” entered production, the Swiss siblings Diego, Nora and Lionel Baldenweg had a lengthy conversation about life and movies. Lorenz liked the siblings and was impressed by their previous work. Then when the film was nearing production, he invited them to sketch out some music based on the script. The composers focused on the characters, on developing solid themes and motifs. The ‘In The Land of Saints’ leitmotif for Liam Neeson’s character is one of them, and it appears in colorful variations in several tracks. While it reflects the deep melancholy expressed by Neeson’s face, it also perfectly captures Murphy’s determination, strong will, and great desire for freedom. Making the music for “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” was a unique family project. Even more so, because the sibling’s father, Pfuri came on board. He plays all of the harmonica parts, giving a one of a kind signature to the soundtrack with his many playing techniques.

The western elements in the score—the aggressively threatening ‘Intruders’ plays almost like an homage to Ennio Morricone’s ‘Man with the Harmonica’—are infused with Celtic elements, subtle as they often are. The orchestra—consisting, among other things, of 56 strings, eleven woodwinds, and ten brass instruments—was recorded at Galaxy Studios in Belgium and conducted by the acclaimed conductor Dirk Brossé. 

The 58th CD-release of Caldera Records features a detailed booklet text by Stephan Eicke and elegant artwork by Luis Miguel Rojas. The CD was mastered by Patricia Sullivan and produced by Stephan Eicke and John Elborg.

1. Fleeing West (3:20)

2. Ocean’s Tale (1:49)

3. Lone Ranger (1:43)

4. In the Land of Saints (1:59)

5. Road to Bantry (1:55)

6. The Forgotten County (1:48)

7. Irish Western Ballad (1:53)

8. The Cross-Etched Bullet (1:28)

9. Someone’s Dying Tears (1:24)

10. Intruders (1:35)

11. Backstabber (2:17)

12. Finbar’s Theme (2:11)

13. Dreaming Of California (1:52)

14. Death Stare (1:56)

15. In the Land of Sinners (2:44)

16. Over the Ocean (2:47)

17. On a Mission (2:54)

18. Something Unforgivable (2:15)

19. Lullaby of Gleann Cholm Cille (2:28)

20. Doireann’s Gun (1:41)

21. Four Foot Deep (1:48)

22. Ever Since Margaret Died (2:01)

23. Runaway (1:35)

24. A Lifetime of Poor Choices (0:48)

25. The Grand Showdown (2:38)

26. This Land (4:32)