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Great Movie Themes
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (John Williams) [5:42]
2. Out of Africa (John Barry) [3:53]
3. Spider-Man (Danny Elfman, arr. John Wasson) [5:08]
4. Schindler’s List (John Williams) Thelma Handy: solo violin [4:25]
5. Gladiator (Hans Zimmer, arr. John Wasson) [6:30]
6. Champions: Theme (Carl Davis) 3:07], 7. Champions: The Grand National (Carl Davis) [2:17]
8. The Lord of the Rings: Suite from The Two Towers (Howard Shore, arr. Jerry Brubaker) [8:25]
9. Chariots of Fire (Vangelis, arr.Andy Vinter) [3:29]
10. Dr No: The James Bond Theme (Monty Norman, arr. Noc Raine) [3:24]
11.Titanic (James Horner, arr. Edward Peak) [8:18]
12. Forrest Gump (Alan Silvestri, arr. Calvin Custer) [6:02]
13. Dances with Wolves (John Barry, arr. Nic Raine) [4:08
14. Harry’s Wondrous World (Suite from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) (John Williams) [4:40]
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Carl Davis
NAXOS 8.570505 [70:22]

If you like cinema you’re sure to enjoy this disc as it is full of memorable themes from some great movies that somehow invade your subconscious and which you are bound to recognise again as soon as you hear the opening notes.  Of course these themes are only short extracts from what were undoubtedly longer scores but if you enjoyed the films then you’ll enjoy reliving them through the music here.  If, like me, you took your kids to see Harrison Ford’s films you’ll be taken straight back to the time with the first track on this disc and the same is bound to happen with the theme from The Lord of the Rings: Suite from The Two Towers. Several others will have the same effect but what is particularly interesting is how so many of Hollywood blockbusters owe their memorable themes to a handful of composers, as this disc of 14 tracks boasts no less than 7 tracks by just three: John Williams (3), John Barry (2) and Carl Davis (2).  John Barry is particularly effective with the emotional sweep of music for the films Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves.  Nevertheless, some of the most immediately recognisable film music must surely be Monty Norman’s theme for the James Bond films that has been heard in films from 1962 until very recently which must make it universally known across the generations. I’ve always been a great fan of film music and recognise that it has its own difficulties connected with time constraints, budgets and, often, interfering Directors.  It deserves its own niche as much as any other genre but I do often feel that many themes deserve developing by their composers into something more substantial which would help the music find new audiences and keep it in the mainstream of musical repertoire for a lot longer than the transient period most of it will enjoy.  The disc has many delights and finishes off with music which most children will immediately relate to – the music from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Steve Arloff

 

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