Titus

Sony Classical

Music Composed by Elliot Goldenthal

Music Produced by Teese Gohl for Gohi / McLaughlin with Eillot Goldenthal

Conducted by Steven Mercurio and Jonathan Sheffer

Orchestrations by Robert Elhai, Elliot Goldenthal, and Steve McLaughlin

Performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra, The English Chamber Choir, The Mask Orchestra, and The Pickled Heads Band

Release Date: 2000

     While this is the first Elliot Goldenthal CD that I’ve been able to listen to, I had already known of his "unusual orchestrations." Basically the only other work of his that I’ve heard was Batman Forever (that being due to the music being well mixed in with the sound effects and dialogue in the movie), and while I thought parts of it were interesting, most of it was just weird, and it wasn’t a style that really suited Batman either. This impression was completely strengthened upon listening to his latest work on Titus.

     Where the film merged the cultures of both the Roman Empire and modern America, Goldenthal attempts to do the same with his score. The end result is, well, rather odd to say the least. Among many of the styles that pop up within the score are bouncy jazz numbers, something very close to rap music, and even a comedy jamboree style. Also along with the traditional orchestral elements were remnants of horror music and even electronic segments that sounded close to some of Eric Serra’s work. This really makes the score disturbing in a way, and I found it hard to keep up with. If there was ever a musical representation of insanity, this is probably the most accurate, and perhaps that was Goldenthal’s entire idea. When the score finally does make use of the traditional orchestra pieces (mostly near the end), I found them to be rather bland.

     If you’re looking for something different (and I mean really different), then you might want to take a look at this one. Hardcore Goldenthal fans, especially the ones who feel that he can do no wrong, should probably go ahead and plunk down their cash as well, but for the rest of us, it’s probably wiser to check out some of the tracks first. If you can get through track eleven especially, you should do all right with this one. **

Track Listing

1 - Victorious Titus (2:58)

2 - Procession & Obsequis (3:01)

3 - Revenge Wheel (0:52)

4 - Tribute and Suffrage (4:17)

5 - Arrows of the Gods (1:32)

6 - An Offering (2:04)

7 - Crossroads (3:24)

8 - Vortex (1:33)

9 - Swing Rave (1:53)

10 - Ill-Fated Plot (2:20)

11 - Pickled Heads

12 - Tamora's Pastorale (1:13)

13 - Titus' Vow (3:43)

14 - Mad Ole Titus (2:28)

15 - Philimelagram (1:46)

16 - Pressing Judgment (from "A Time to Kill") (3:32)

17 - Aaron's Plea (2:02)

18 - Coronation (1:53)

19 - Apian Stomp (1:32)

20 - Adagio (2:25)

21 - Finale (8:33)

22 - Vivere (3:33)

Total Running Time: 61:42