1 |
Harry
Potter and The Philosopher's Stone (2001) - Hedwig's
Theme (4:53) |
2 |
Memoirs
Of A Geisha (2005) - Sayuri's Theme & End Credits
(5:52) |
3 |
Star
Wars: A New Hope (1977) - Star Wars Main Credits (4:51) |
4 |
Star
Wars: Revenge Of The Sith (2005) - Battle Of The Heroes
(4:25) |
5 |
Jaws
(1975) - Main Theme (2:17) |
6 |
Schindler's
List (1993) - Main Theme (4:04) |
7 |
E.T.
the Extra Terrestrial (1982) (4:41) |
8 |
War
of the Worlds (2005) - War of the Worlds Suite (7:28) |
9 |
Artificial
Intelligence: AI (2001) - Where Dreams Are Born (3:47) |
10 |
Raiders
Of The Lost Ark (1981) - The Raiders March (2:40) |
11 |
Star
Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) -Duel Of The Fates (4:09) |
12 |
Superman
(1978) - Main Theme (4:15) |
13 |
Munich
(2005) - Prayer For Peace (4:20) |
REVIEW
John Williams is one genius composer you can’t miss.
Even
if you are not a soundtrack collector, the immensely popular
themes this maestro has come up with over his 30-odd year
career would definitely ring a bell. The Harry Potter theme,
the Star Wars theme, the Superman theme, the E.T. theme, and
the one theme which made people afraid to go into the seas
– Jaws.
The handful of music motifs you are able to name at an instant
were probably composed by this talented musician. And to add
to that, Williams has over 41 Oscar nominations for Best Original
Score under his belt.
Surely
no one can beat that.
This
compilation featuring 13 of Williams’ celebrated works
make a very good listening experience. Beautifully performed
by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, pieces range
from Steven Spielberg’s old-school hit Jaws (1975) to
his recent acclaimed work Munich (2005).
A
quick glance through the track listing and any discerning
movie-goer would identify that most of Williams’ works
are scores from Spielberg’s movies. When two successful
and talented men come together, the result is obviously a
critical and commercial success.
It
only takes one listen to realize that Williams’ works
are engaging and memorable. There is elegance in Rob Marshall’s
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). There is action in George Lucas’
Star Wars movies. There is sullenness in Spielberg’s
War of the Worlds (2005). You name the mood; Williams will
give it to you. There is almost nothing the talented composer
cannot do.
With
this compilation album, it will make you want to check out
Williams’ other countless works, like his jazzy composition
for Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can (2003) and depressingly
gorgeous score for Alan Parker’s Angela’s Ashes
(1999).
It
will also make you look forward to Williams’ collaborations
with Spielberg in 2008, when he will score the director’s
two movies: Lincoln and Indiana Jones 4.
This
review could go on and on chronicling Williams’ ingenious
styles in his long list of compositions, but we would advise
you to get this album and understand why we are gushing over
his compositions.
SOUNDTRACK
RATING:
Review
by John Li
|