mahler3

That was George Martin (Sir), one of his very few ventures into film music composition. 'Die Another Day' is a big let down yes, which is a shame because 'Tomorrow Never Dies' hinted at a refreshing and vibrant Bond sound that was much needed (Eric Serra's score to 'Goldeneye' anyone? ). 'World Is Not Enough' has a couple of excellent action cues at least. 'DAD' has no distinctive voice whatsoever, other than Nicholas Dodd's excellent brass orchestrations, I think Arnold would be lost without Dodd IMO. 'Last Of The Dogmen' remains one of my favourites. 'Musketeer' was fun, but was obviosly tracked with Kamen's 'Robin Hood' (opening titles) and has an almost 'Dallas'-like brass riff.

Yeah just got my shipping confirmation too! Can't wait! Anyone else looking forward to 'Big' in addition to Home Alone 2 like me?

Forgot to hang on tight and get logged in :roll:

Escape From Nimh/In Disguise & Moving Day are also great. 2 of my favourite Goldsmith cues: 'The Final Conflict' (Omen 3) & 'The Finals' (Best Shot)

I would go for 'Lionheart' personally, it has epic overtones that are simply wonderful IMO. Disc 1 tracks 5 & 11 most especially. 'Secret Of Nimh' has a more emotional density, particularly the finale. Beautiful theme with soaring cellos

This the kind of release where I draw the line even as a Williams completist. K.M. You said it KM! At least 'Guide For The Married Man' has a couple of decent (and listenable) tracks IMO. John Goldfarb will collect dust on my shelf unfortunately.

'Traning Montage' from 'Spacecamp' gets my vote, with an honorable mention going to another training cue, this time from 'Hook', think it was called 'Pick Em Up' or something like that? 'Orrible as Bob Hoskins would say. 'We Don't Wanna Grow Up' isn't much better mind you.

As much as I love the alternate 'Arrival In New York' on the original release, it's great to now finally have the actual film version with that excellent and exciting Trumpet outburst! ps Anybody listen to the sound clip of the alternate 'Holiday Flight'? Is it just me or does it sound like an excerpt from one of Williams zany '60's comedy scores? Bizarre cue! 'John Goldfarb: Please Come Home' - a classic!

I will definitely be there. A meeting with the maestro could possibly be arranged

Oh almost forget The Fury & Amazing Stories: The Mission

Beautifully put, yes this also is my favourite cue. Leaves a lump in my throat every time, that soaring theme by Cello & French Horn unified! Can't beat it! Other favourites are; ET, Jaws 2 (another gorgeous melody for Cello & Horn), Far & Away, Sleepers, Always, Star Wars and most definitely CE3K

Yes there are a couple of tracks from The Philosopher's Stone, notably the penultimate cue to Leaving Hogwarts which is exactly as placed here. The Quidditch Match is scored, very similarly to PS, but with a couple of alterations. I haven't listened to the COS cd enough to warrant precise cue placements, missing music and alternates etc. On first listen I don't think there is a great deal of music not on the cd.

I have to say it was thoroughly enjoyable! Don't want to give too much away (don't worry there are no spoilers), so I will give a brief summation of the 2hr50min movie (minus ads & trailers). The film begins with a really cool & glossy credit sequence, that then segues into a cgi crane shot that swoops down to Harry's bedroom with the Leaving Hogwarts motif making a lovely entrance. The character Dobby is introduced, and is utterly convincing. ILM's touch is significantly present compared to the oftmentioned detriments of Philosopher's Stone's effects. The Harry's Wondrous World theme (one of my personal all time favourites in the Williams canon) packs a delightful punch as Harry and friends whisk off across the countryside in the flying car, but it's the main C.O.S. theme that really makes the biggest impression in the film. It is used sparingly, but effectively I assure you. Kenneth Brannagh stands out, he performs with a wry yet sly overtone that is utterly pompous, self congratulatory and totally appropiate. Works very well without being too silly! The Quidditch Match is much more exciting this time round, again i don't want to give much away, but i think you'll enjoy this. Be warned there are a couple of nasty music edits, and the sound mix does tend to drown the score unfortunately. LSO's Brass get a couple of great work-outs, especially during the discovery of the C.O.S and the final battle set piece, the latter of which the sound mix is more musically profound. Just wonderful! Now The Final Battle is genuinely thrilling and packs the excitement punch with audacity! Small children might actually be frightened during some moments. Performances all round are good, Hermoine gets a bit irritating IMO, but otherwise Harry is as likeable as ever, perfect casting. Richard Harris does look unwell in a couple of scenes, which does ultimately provoke poignancy. We are treated to a grand finale, and as on the CD Leaving Hogwarts is extended to tremendous effect, like a great Mahler or Beethoven symphony the music just doesn't want to end, so the climax is all the more thrilling and I have to say a few of the old goose bumps cropped up! Production, set and art design are all superb, the photography good with plenty of swooping crane shots (most cgi). Chis Columbus has done a good job and keeps the pace moving along accordingly. Needless to say the score is magnificent, as previously mentioned the mix in the first film was better and i think there was more music. But the different permutations and various motifs work exceptionally well within the fabric of the movie. Personally I prefer The Philosopher's Stone as a movie, but I know many prefer this one. By the way, as mentioned in a previous post. Ensure you stay to the end of the credit crawl, not just for the music of course but for a little anecdote I'm off now to welcome hoards of customers and to get ready for a very busy weekend. Hope you all enjoy the movie as much as i did!

mmmm link doesn't take you straight to the page unfortunately. You'll have to go to Music, then Search cd title to view the correct page. -Looking forward to hearing some Bernstein influences!

Clink the link below to view the cd cover (note Williams credit in big and bold text! The way it should be!) http://www.playserver3.com/play247.asp?pag...earch&adudisc=y

Whoa!!! Please don't drag Douglass Fake's excellent name and company into this; Intrada is a legit business. The YSH 2-CD is NOT a boot; it is a legitimate promo release done in association with the composer (in this case, Bruce Broughton). Promos are financed by the composer or his/her agent to promote their music; sometimes a label like Intrada does the actual pressing and a few of them are sold to the public to help cover the costs. This was YSH's case. I am talking about an unofficial bootleg release of the complete recording sessions on 2cd's some years back, not the Intrada promo which as you correctly state was endorsed by Broughton etc. Douglass Fake is an excellent producer and I have much respect for him, just stating what I have been told.

Oh! That's news to me, I thought Universal were'nt going to release it over here? Cool! Ignore my previous message then!

Does the 3 dvd set was released in UK? As a zone 2 dvd, that is... No Miguel, unfortunately the box set is not being released in the UK, had to get it through an import stockist. They have it reasonably priced actually, do you want their details?

Speak to Movie Boulevard in the UK as they're the master rip-off merchants! Apparently Douglass Fake has produced a few, namely the 'Young Sherlock Holmes' recording sessions 2-cd boot. So i'm told anyway?

The documentary features the Harrison Ford deleted scene

You are correct in your statements pertaining to the Trumpet section as i had always noticed this Mattmane. I do think they improve during the latter part of the album though, particularly during the far superior (IMO) version of the End Titles with the Timpani balance taking more of an active role (especially during the closing fanfare don't you think?) Recording wise, it was one of the few albums that wasn't mixed by the RCA team (excluding George Korngold of course), so out of Gerhardt's recordings this was always the one that lost orchestral performance clarity. Too much treble primarily.

For all that have access to British TV, the film that put Williams on the industry map, and subsequently delivered him his second Oscar nomination. I for one have never seen it, failing to find a video copy anywhere for years! So needless to say I shall be glued to the TV with delight later!

Yep, go for the 3-disc set without hesitation!

Hey don't knock "The Final Battle". I think it's a great arrangement of several pieces. Zubin Mehta also did a good recording of it (just called "The Battle"). And a good portion of this concert arrangement (which I think was done by Williams and not Gerhardt) was used in the revised track "Return of the Jedi" (now called "Sail Barge Assault"). Neil His arrangement of the 'Ewok Celebration' on ROTJ was excellent now, but I find the 'Final Battle' tempo far too slow, other than that his recordings are abolutely flawless