The movie “Max and Me” now simply called “MAX” will be released theatrically across Mexico beginning October 12th. The film will be released in the USA and in Poland in 2024. In a time preoccupied with money, pleasure, power and fame, MAX reminds us that true happiness is found in humbly giving our lives away for something greater than ourselves. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The orchestral and choral soundtrack features 135 musicians including the Libera boy’s choir, The London Voices,  London’s finest orchestral musicians with solos by the famed violin virtuoso Joshua Bell. Composed by Mark McKenzie, the “Max and Me” soundtrack is available on Sony Classical everywhere music is sold or streamed. This soundtrack was doubly nominated “Best Score of the Year” and “Best Animated Score of the Year” by the International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA). It won for “Best Animated Score of the Year.”  Critical reviews, Photos from Abbey Road, soundtrack titles, and credited musicians and recording engineers are listed below.

Critics write:

“Staggeringly beautiful…score of the year” Movie Music UK
“A triumphant ravishing masterwork” American Music Preservation
“A triumphant, completely boundless expression of joy.” Movie-wave.net
“Tender, heartfelt, soaring, gorgeous” Score Zone
“Profound…inspiring and haunting…stunningly beautiful.” Movie Music International
“You’re going to have goosebumps.” Cinematic Sound
“An ode to symphonic beauty…do not miss this celebration of life and love” Soundtrack Dreams
“Brought to tears…a truly theophanic work.” The Click Track
“Transcendent…an incredible tour de force” Notes From Above

Violin Soloist: Joshua Bell
Soundtrack Available on Sony Masterworks
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London
Recording Engineer: Peter Cobbin
Mixed at 21st Century Fox Newman Scoring Stage
Mixing Engineer: Armin Steiner
Conductor: Gordon Johnson
Choir:  London Voices
Chorus Masters: Terry Edwards and Ben Parry
Solo Vocalist:  Clara Sanabras
Boys Choir: Libera
Libera Choir Director: Robert Prizeman
Orchestra Leader: Thomas Bowes
Piano: Dave Arch
Boy Soloist: Issac London
Wooden Recorders: Helen Keen
Guitar: John Parricelli
Orchestra Contractor: Isobel Griffiths
Assistant Orchestra Contractor: Susie Gillis
Supervising Music & Scoring Editor: Marc S Perlman MPSE
Additional Music Editing:  David Lai
Music Preparation: Gregg Nestor
Assistant Recording Engineer: John Barrett
Assistant Mixing Engineer: Christine Russell

1. 1. I Am (w/ Joshua Bell on violin) 1:13
2. Two Crowns Vision 1:22
3. Head in the Clouds Over You 2:16
4. You Could be Anything 2:44
5. In the Trenches 2:29
6. If You Are So Intelligent Why Don’t You Believe? 5:22
7. Ask and it Will Be Given to You 1:25
8. When I’m Saying Me I Mean You   :51
9. Dare To Dream Bigger  1:51
10. A Mother’s Prayer (w/ Joshua Bell on violin) 3:10
11. Dapper Duds   1:50
12. Sunset Hug 1:49
13. I’m Sorry 3:02
14. Nazi Brutality 3:17
15. Prayer For Peace 3:40
16. Auschwitz Cries  2:56
17. Only Love is Creative 2:37
18. I Love You (w/ Joshua Bell on violin) 4:00
19. Triumph Over Fear   3:20
20. He Was Always With Me 1:50
21. I Believe in You 4:12
22. Heaven’s Welcome 2:28

“Best of the year – 2022” – Prancer: A Christmas Tale….Among the most criminally underrated composers in the film and recording industries, Mark McKenzie is a musician of superior artistry whose film scores are ever deeply felt, and worthy of serious recognition…It is a work of singular eloquence, and musical poetry.” Steve Vertlieb https://fmrev.com/by-steve-vertlieb-best-of-2022/ 

“Best of the year – 2022” Hear how effectively the composer enhances the action of the charming story. One of the best soundtracks from recent years.  Roger Hall https://fmrev.com/best-of-the-year-2022/

“There is a warmth and a feeling of goodness that radiates from the composers score…bright, beautiful, delicate, and poignant…overflowing with fragility and mesmerizing affecting tone poems….soul warming.” Movie Music International

“The score overflows with gorgeous, evocative, emotionally resonant music…warmth and heart, tenderness, playfulness, an occasional touch of whimsy, and more than a sprinkle of festive seasonal magic.” Jonathan Broxton Movie Music UK

McKenzie’s penchant for lyrical melodic writing and gorgeous orchestration comes through from the very opening…moments of awe and wonder as well as excitement….an often quite colorful and heartwarming work well worth adding to your holiday. Steven Kennedy, Film Score Monthly USA

“Simply beautiful!” Tim Burden, Movie Magic, Belfast Ireland

“Another gem from this highly talented composer.” Jason Drury Cinematic Sound Radi

Buy the collectors CD before it sells out at INTRADA RECORDS or Back Lot Music’s digital release at music outlets everywhere. Take a listen at your favorite streaming outlet: PRANCER: A CHRISTMAS TALE

1. I Can’t Wait To See You 1:06
2. Nothing Is Beautiful Without You 2:28
3. Love Arrives As a Reindeer 2:24
4. Nothing Is Impossible 1:47
5. The Greatest Gift Is Friendship 5:34
6. Your Smile Lights Up The Room 4:01
7. Woo-hoo She Likes You! 1:59
8. She Was As Kind As The Day Is Long 4:42
9. We Were Magic Together 2:43
10. I Will Always Believe In You 2:15
11. This Feels Like Home 1:39
12. My Tears and The Magic of Your Light 1:49
13. I Can Be Closed Off Sometimes 2:05
14. Prancer Dances 1:00
15. Healing Memories 1:32
16. I Have To Thank You 2:10
17. Silent Night Hug 2:24
18. It’s Time To Celebrate 1:03
19. Love As Though You’ve Never Been Hurt 2:27
20. Prancer: A Christmas Tale Suite 6:13

After 3 decades of being somewhat invisible in Los Angeles as a composer, the largest classical radio station in the United States is now playing Mark McKenzie’s music with Bach, Beethoven, Schubert and Vivaldi. For decades, this station has brought healing to the soul and reminded San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, San Francisco, and a hundred other cities that life is beautiful. Thank you KUSC, Alan Chapman, Rich Capparela, John Van Driel, Brian Lauritzen, Bill Lueth, Dianne Nicolini, Jennifer Miller, Jim Svejda and the many who support this fine radio station.

Actor, producer and director Antonio Banderas is supporting the pandemic hit struggling musicians in his community by producing a live performance of “The Greatest Miracle” in Malaga Spain. The performance will include excerpts from “Entering the Cathedral,” “Offerings,” “Angels Demons and Prayer,” “Reclaiming Faith,” “Go in Peace” and “Ascension.”

Concert violinist Joshua Bell’s artistry moves me like few other classical artists. I’m grateful to the film makers at Dos Corazones who are visionaries and could see the value of hiring this incredible artist and how he enhances the depth of “Max and Me.”  To get a recording session date with Joshua was challenging with his busy schedule. We finally found one afternoon 5 months out where he could fly from Germany to London for just a few hours and then get back to his tour. I first met him backstage at the Hollywood bowl in Los Angeles after he played the Bruch Violin Concerto and then brilliantly conducted my favorite Beethoven Symphony, The 7th. He graciously said “Very nice to meet you…when can I get the music? Understandably, he didn’t want to commit till he saw the music. Because the editing and animation of his movie scenes were finished late, the music was composed last minute. I saw him days afterward at Abbey Road Studios. Somehow a wrong note made its way into his part. Joshua liked that note and presented very solid reasons for keeping it. I insisted. After some tussling, he graciously relented and we laughed. Truth is, the way Joshua plays, it doesn’t matter much what note it is; his artistry is filled with such pathos. I asked him how he approached phrasing with such intelligence and he said “I just feel it.” I guess you have to be Joshua Bell to feel with such rare musicality. In #18 I LOVE YOU (short excerpt playing)  A fearful young man at Auschwitz wants to end his life by letting guards shoot him. Maximilian Kolbe listens to his anxiety, puts his arm around him and warmly assures him that he loves him and that even amidst the darkness of Auschwitz there is still hope. Thank you Joshua Bell!  Sony Masterworks released the soundtrack to “Max and Me” ahead of the movie’s release. While Joshua’s tracks are spectacular, the best way to fully appreciate Joshua Bell and Max and Me is to listen to the entire score from beginning to end. You can do so wherever music is streamed and of course wherever music sold. Photo Joshua Bell with Mark McKenzie holding his rare stradivarius.