Catherine S. Vodrey | East Liverpool, Ohio United States | 03/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have actually never seen the movie "Restoration," but stumbled across the soundtrack some years ago. I have since given it as a gift to every classical music nut I know.
The soundtrack to "Restoration" is an uncannily seamless blend of orchestral and chamber music (mostly Henry Purcell) with the modern-day scoring of the peerless James Newton Howard. Purcell's "King Arthur" and "The Fairy Queen" are used here, and Howard melds his work with Purcell's so beautifully that I think somewhere in heaven, Purcell must be smiling down at Howard.
It's an astonishing soundtrack, filled with gorgeous music that suggests floral tapestries, lutists wandering through a grassy field, richly appointed thrones, crowned heads, corseted ladies and bewigged gentlemen, but most of all, an urgency implied by love and ardor. It's just magnificent. One of these days, I've got to see the movie!"
Pulcrissima Audire
Catherine S. Vodrey | 04/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I've found a yet another use for Latin. This music is without question Most Beautiful to Hear. I love the movie Restoration. It is so visually stunning I would watch it all the time if I could. The same came be said for the soundtrack. This is the first time I have ever been struck by the music while watching a movie. The music is full of emotion and spirit. If you've never heard it, I pity you, and if you don't like it, I'm concerned about you! Everyone get this CD,it is the best that will ever be (with the exception of The Four Seasons). Et quid agitis hodie?"
Haunting Soundtrack
Catherine S. Vodrey | 02/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music of this film stayed with me long after the movie was over. It is one of the most moving soundtracks I have ever heard. You will not be disappointed."
The film was flawed but the soundtrack is not: RESTORATION
KerrLines | Baltimore,MD | 12/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"RESTORATION was an amazing film of passion and great beauty.What made the film so aesthetically pleasing was the well researched choices of period "Restoration Era" music. As the theatres had been closed for quite some time, the reign of Charles 11 to the English Throne brought a restoration of the Arts to Britain.The primary composer for the theatre at that time would have been Henry Purcell.His successes with his plays such as "The Fairy Queen","The Indian Queen" and "The Gordian Knot Untied" and "Dido and Aeneas" yielded some amazingly beautiful music.James Newton Howard, who composed the original score for RESTORATION, has based his music on the haunting themes of Purcell, while also including Purcell's work within the body of the film. There are 31 sublime tracts of authentic and originally conceived pieces that make up this magnificent CD that is conceived out of the film's opulence.For Baroque Music lovers, RESTORATION is a veritable feast for the ears.Also recommended soundtracks of similar greatness are MARQUISE and ALL THE MORNINGS OF THE WORLD."