Search - John Williams :: Earthquake: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

A Towering Prelude to the Blockbuster Hits

Staysun | Downers Grove, IL USA | 06/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the mid-piece to a 70's Williams Disaster Film Trilogy that began with "The Poseidon Adventure" and concluded with "The Towering Inferno." The opening theme is reminiscent of the feverish opening to Alfred Newman's "Airport." There is a great set piece in "The City Sleeps." Most of this re-recorded score appears in the film very briefly (if at all). This is perhaps a supreme example of Williams' gift for creating a great compelling drama in music for a lesser film. Earthquake"

"Early John Williams - superior score for a so-so film"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 04/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From a disaster film comes this wonderful score by John Williams, who briefly played piano for the great Henry Mancini on various albums in the '60s. This of course was before Mr. Williams found his own niche in the world of music. The score for this film is far superor than the film itself, Williams themes are solid and thoroughly enjoyable.A few stand outs - "CITY THEME" (track three) solo piano to start with, followed by the full and haunting orchestration, simply beautiful - "THE CITY SLEEPS" (track six) a light and different theme rises from the baton of Maestro Williams, nice touch. This early John Williams is a must for any film score collector or Williams fan.Total Time: 32:50 on 13 Tracks/ Varese Sarabande - VSD 5262 (1990)"

Williams goes bossa-nova and I can dig it

Horst Meisterfluscher | 04/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Actually, the only bossa-nova track is SOMETHING FOR ROSA. And it's my favorite track. I couldn't help but notice that Williams engaged in a bit of self-repetition when he took an EARTHQUAKE track called THE CITY SLEEPS and redid it as a SUPERMAN track called THE PLANET KRYPTON. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. Maybe. Possibly. Let it also be said that the awakening-city shtick was first done by Vaughan Williams in his LONDON SYMPHONY.) Williams has always been inordinately fond of trumpet triplets and the triplet showcase here is MILES ON WHEELS. Claire Fischer's pianism in CITY THEME is absolutely breathtaking."