Robin Hood and His Merry Men - Korngold, Erich Wol
Alexander Nevsky, cantata for mezzo-soprano, chorus & orchestra, Op. 78 - Prokofiev, Sergei
Title Theme [1944] - Mercer, Johnny
Conquest [1947] - Newman, Alfred [1]
The Morning on the Ranch [1949] - Copland, Aaron
A Suite [1951] - Waxman, Franz
Theme [1952] - Tiomkin, Dimitri
Andante (with dignity), Presto barba [1954] - Bernstein, Leonard
Prelude [1955] - Rosenman, Leonard
Working on the Bridge [1957] - Arnold, Malcolm
Parade of the Charioteers [1959] - Rozsa, Miklos
The Theme [1960] - Bernstein, Elmer
Prelude (Suite) [1958] - Herrmann, Bernard
The Murder (Suite for Strings) [1960] - Herrmann, Bernard
La passerella di addio [1963] - Rota, Nino
The Main Title [1968] - Barry, John [1]
Main Theme [1977] - Williams, John [Fil
The Imperial [1980] - Williams, John [Fil
The John Dunbar Theme [1990] - Barry, John [1]
Leaving Port [1997] - Horner, James
Good film music should be seen and not heard--that is, it's usually there for background, to reinforce what you're seeing, not to draw attention to itself. So why listen to it? Often that's a mystery, but the items in this... more » collection seem to have been selected because they are interesting music (Prokofiev, Copland, Bernstein) or because they are so familiar that they bring back memories of favorite movies (Laura, High Noon, Star Wars). Like much movie music, a lot of these items are sentimental and overblown, even the more famous ones. (Those famous screaming strings in Psycho can sound silly without the onscreen action.) But if you want one movie-music CD in your collection, this may be the one to have. --Leslie Gerber« less
Good film music should be seen and not heard--that is, it's usually there for background, to reinforce what you're seeing, not to draw attention to itself. So why listen to it? Often that's a mystery, but the items in this collection seem to have been selected because they are interesting music (Prokofiev, Copland, Bernstein) or because they are so familiar that they bring back memories of favorite movies (Laura, High Noon, Star Wars). Like much movie music, a lot of these items are sentimental and overblown, even the more famous ones. (Those famous screaming strings in Psycho can sound silly without the onscreen action.) But if you want one movie-music CD in your collection, this may be the one to have. --Leslie Gerber
bjdonohue | WALDORF, MD United States | 02/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These type of compilation albums are often a mixed bag. "60 Years Of Great Music!" "20 Of The Most Memorable Themes Of All Time!" You know the drill. Half the stuff is great. Half of the rest is o.k. As for the remainder, you wonder how it ended up on anyone's short list. But with this release, Sony delivers the goods. Sure, it would be easy to pick 20 great scores neglected by this release. But instead of focusing on what isn't on it, focus on what is. You might be able to come up with as good a sampling as this, but it's doubtful you could do better. Of course, for serious fans of film music, most, if not all, of the selections will already be in their collection. So what? Three quarters of the selections aren't from the original recordings anyway. All of the reinterpretations are at worst interesting. For "Classical Music Snobs" or Film Score neophytes, this is a great introduction into the classical music of the 20th Century and beyond, the Original Film Score. A truly enjoyable listen from start to finish, this is definately one to consider."
So So Compilation
William F. Flanigan Jr. | North Potomac, MD USA | 01/13/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"My major interest in this CD was in the selection entitled "Robin Hood And His Merry Men" (duration: 4 min, 28 sec), conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. It turns out that this is a re-issue of the track from Sony Classical SK 62788, 1997. Surprisingly, this performance is poky, ponderous, and prodding. The conducting is, well, somnambulistic. Miking/mixing/processing yields a sonic brick deficient in instrumental nuances while sounding like way too many musicians were shoe horned into the recording studio. As for the rest of the tracks, it's hard to believe, but Silva America offers better compilations! Best to skip this one."
Music In Film (NPR Milestones of the Millennium
bjdonohue | 05/01/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Great CD;the music is crystal clear with an excellent variety demonstrating the wide variety of musical talents in Hollywood. Liner notes are also most interesting, explaining some of the history behind the cuts and pointing out differences in the composers styles...as with John Barry. His style ranges from "the Lion in Winter" bold dramatic soundtrack to the exquisitley tender "Dances with Wolves" theme music. A CD to enjoy over and over"
A GREAT COMPILATION!
Vermis Libris Vera | Colorado | 06/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've come to appreciate soundtracks more and more. This compilation progresses chronologically through 60 years of film music, starting with 1939's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood", and ending with "Titanic". It encompasses a huge range of styles. Along with the usual suspects - music from "Ben-Hur", "The Magnificent 7", "Star Wars", et al, there are a few real sleepers, like John Barry's medieval-flavored theme to "The Lion in Winter", or Leonard Roseman's lyrical "East of Eden". Blessedly, most of the tracks are original recordings, conducted by the composers, among them Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. Only those of us burned by tinny, tacky, sacriligiously rearranged retreads on obscure labels can appreciate this.
There are a few notable omissions. The prolific Randy Newman isn't represented, though Uncle Alfred is. And NO Ennio Morricone? - incredible! Presumably, this has more to do with Sony's current copyrights and contracts than the relative merits of the composers. And it's fine to have John Williams included twice, but why two pieces from "Star Wars"? Why not the theme from "Jaws", for instance? Or "Sugarland Express", for a really unexpected treat? But these are minor quibbles. And for whatever it's lacking, there's no fluff substituted. This is real music from fine craftsmen, which sometimes attains art. A great intro to the form, and wonderful just to listen to. I bought it used - one of my best deals ever!"