Aleksandr Hrustevich Plays Vivaldi

Wow.

Soundtracks, Anyone?

I like movies. I enjoy watching them, I enjoy talking about them, and I enjoy critiquing them. I also love music. A lot. That being said, it's probably not too hard to understand why I'm one of those people who can't just watch a movie and then move on. Usually, I have to check out the soundtrack as well. 

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I have quite a few film scores in my music library now. And though I enjoy them all, there are some which I like better than others. These can be found in the list below. They are soundtracks which not only fit perfectly with the films for which they were written, but are also enjoyable to listen to on their own. Enjoy...

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Up (2009)

Michael Giacchino

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It's virtually impossible to keep a straight face while listening to this soundtrack. It's lighthearted, colorful, and just plain irresistible. I wouldn't hesitate to call it one of the best musical scores ever written for an animated film.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Hans Zimmer

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You can easily get a good idea of Holmes' character just by listening to this soundtrack. Yeah, it's that good. Subtle, intense, even bordering on comic at times, this simple but complex score nails Doyle's creation on the head.

The Return of the King: The Complete Recordings (2003)
Howard Shore
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I've had this soundtrack for over two years, and I've never yet grown tired of it. You can almost feel Middle-Earth in the music. It's absolutely one of the most magnificent scores ever written, a must-have for Tolkien enthusiasts.   

Henry V (1989)

Patrick Doyle

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Written for Kenneth Branagh's famous Shakespearean film, this soundtrack also happens to be one of my mom's favorites. The music is noble and poignant - especially Doyle's brilliant arrangement of the "Gloria Patri".

  

National Treasure (2005)

Trevor Rabin

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This is the perfect soundtrack to listen to while exercising. The action and intensity hardly let up, and you'll be hard pressed to find music that's better suited to a foot race. Listen to it long enough, you might even begin to believe someone's after you.

Gladiator (2000)

Hans Zimmer

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Haunting and evocative, this score definitely creates an enduring backdrop for Ridley Scott's tale of Ancient Rome.The pieces written for the battle scenes are particularly gripping: I always find it hard to sit still when I'm listening to them.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard

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Like it's movie counterpart, this soundtrack is serious, intense, and fast-paced, and you'll find it hard not to envision a grim battle between good and evil while listening to it. Apart from one or two tracks which I find a bit too sinister, I highly recommend this score as an outstanding accomplishment in the realm of film music.

I Am Legend (2008)

James Newton Howard

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Reflective and eerily compelling - that probably the best way to describe this soundtrack. The theme is especially unique and beautiful, and once you've heard it, it's virtually impossible to forget.

   Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon, & Richard Tognetti    

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As another reviewer aptly put it, "The musical atmosphere for "Master and Commander" is clearly tinged by sea spray and a touch of gunpowder." And although the original orchestral music was composed by Davies, Gordon, and Tognetti, there is also a good amount of classical music woven in as well, including pieces by Bach, Corelli, Vaughan Williams, Mozart, and Boccherini.

  

 The Man From Snowy River (1982)

Bruce Rowland

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This is a complete blast to listen to, especially in the car! Lively horns, quiet pianos, energetic strings and bombastic drums all combine to make it an instant classic full of emotion and energy; definitely a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

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If you have a favorite soundtrack to recommend, please let me know. I'd love to hear about it. Thanks!

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Persevero,

David Nevue

Here's a link to the website of Christian musician David Nevue, one of my favorite pianists. If you like George Winston, you'll like this guy. He's extremely gifted, and has recorded multiple albums and given concerts across the U.S. His music includes many of his own original compositions, as well as a plethora of amazing hymn arrangements. On his site, you can sample his music, check out his CD's, and even watch some clips of him performing at public and private concerts. Also, you can view, sample, and purchase the sheet music for many of his songs. Once purchased, the sheet music is immediately downloaded to your computer, and you can print it whenever you like!

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Persevero,

Scribe