Music from the Films of Steven Spielberg

DISC 1:

01 - THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (4:53)

02 - TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - Suite (8:22)

03 - THE BUCCANEER - Overture (3:30)

04 - A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (4:33)

05 - AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON - Metamorphosis (5:06)

06 - THE AGE OF INNOCENCE  - End Titles (4:25)

07 - THE COMANCHEROS (2:38)

08 - GHOSTBUSTERS (3:12)

09 - HEAVY METAL - Taarna's Theme (5:36)

10 - JOHNNY STACCATO (3:22)

11 - TRUE GRIT - Rooster Cogburn / A Warm Wrap-Up (4:39)

12 - HOLLYWOOD AND THE STARS (2:06)

13 - ZULU DAWN - River Crossing (4:28)

DISC 2:

01 - THE GREAT ESCAPE (2:18)

02 - THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (5:25)

03 - FAR FROM HEAVEN (5:56)

04 - THE SONGS OF KATIE ELDER (2:13)

05 - AIRPLANE - Suite (4:28)

06 - THE SHOOTIST - Main Title (3:21)

07 - HAWAII - Overture (4:18)

08 - THE BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ - Finale (2:43)

09 - THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL - Overture (6:15)

10 - THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN (2:30)

11 - THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - Sky-Hi (2:44)

12 - THE SCALPHUNTERS (2:53)

13 - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - Overture (7:54)

Conducted by Nic Raine, Paul Bateman,

                         Bill Ashton, and James Fitzpatrick

Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic

                         National Youth Jazz Orchestra

                         Crouch End Festival Chorus                

Produced by James Fitzpatrick

Released by Silva Screen Records on June 7th, 2005

Total Running Time: 57:15

Total Running Time: 53:07

     It was only a matter of time before the Elmer Bernstein and Jerry Goldsmith compilations began to hit their stride. With the sad loss of both of those tremendous composers last year, it was a time of looking back at their work over the years and appreciating the substantial mark they left behind through their long and prosperous careers. Silva Screen Records treats us to such a glimpse at Bernstein’s career with this entry into their “Essential” line of compilations.

     Silva Screen albums are usually good in their selection of material, and this one is no different. From Bernstein’s career we are treated to selections from such scores as The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Ghostbusters, True Grit, and The Ten Commandments. In addition, this album boasts the “World Premiere Recordings” of work from The Birdman of Alcatraz, An American Werewolf in London, and Airplane! Whether these are actually “World Premiere Recordings” or not, I can’t be sure, as their latest Stanley Kubrick-themed compilation boasted the same for a collection of Gerald Fried scores, but this wasn’t the case. The same material was on an older album from a few years back. Hopefully this isn’t true for this album, and personally I’ve yet to encounter these cues on any previous Silva titles, but one can’t be too sure now.

     The performances by the City of Prague Philharmonic, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the Crouch End Festival Chorus are typical of what you’d expect from them, meaning they are oftentimes adequate enough, sometimes they even shine brightly, yet sometimes they can mess up the material. Case in point on this album is the cue from The Great Escape. What should have been a rousing, stand-out performance of a rousing, stand-out score is tepid and performed with little vigor.

     Ultimately, one’s enjoyment of this album will depend on the source material and the familiarity with the quirks that sometimes creep into the performances. If you’ve found success with previous Silva Screen albums and are looking for something to provide you with some rare Bernstein material, this is the place to look.

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