Customer Reviews

Angels in America [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It was the score for "Angels in America" that brought the HBO miniseries to my attention in the first place. I've been a stalwart fan of Thomas Newman's excellent film music for some time now, and when I first heard of the score for "Angels" I knew I'd have to hear it. I took a leap of faith and purchased the CD without having heard a note of it, and I have to say that the risk was well worth it.

Newman's music for "Angels in America" is much like the miniseries itself -- at times whimsical, at times dramatic, at times serious but with a soft touch, it sets the tone perfectly. Newman's compostions here ride the fine line between hope and heartbreak, creating a memorable soundscape which can be listened to alone (as I first did), but also accompanies the action of the miniseries incredibly well. This is emotional, honest, and complex music for a complex story with powerful themes.

While "Angels in America" is a unique score overall, it is also recognizably Thomas Newman's, and one can certainly hear hints of Newman's other work in it. The first few minutes of "Quartet" remind careful listeners unfailingly of one of the darker pieces from "The Shawshank Redemption," and the surprisingly light tone of "Pill Poppers" hearkens back to themes heard in "Finding Nemo." However, Newman is nothing if not original, and he doesn't spend a lot of time borrowing from himself for this score. The main title music is unforgettable and instantly recognizable as belonging to "Angels in America," but avoids the trap of sounding catchy. Early tracks like "Lesionnaire", "Mauve Antarctica" and "Her Fabulous Incipience" help establish different scenes and characters, while later pieces like "Delicate Particle Logic," "The Mormons," "Tropopause," and especially the excellent "More Life" each use the main theme in subtly different ways to evoke different and unexpected emotions.

As with many Newman scores, there are a few tracks here not composed by Newman. Duke Ellington's "Solitude," a ragtime version of "A Closer Walk With Thee," and a revival performance of "I'm His Child" were all heard in the series, and are important in some way to the themes expressed there. I can see why they were included, but frankly, I purchased this CD for Newman's music alone, and while the other three songs are all good songs, it is his score that makes me put this in the CD player again and again.

"Angels in America" is a rich, moving score which I first got to know before I even really knew what the HBO miniseries was about. Now that I've seen the miniseries, and listened to the CD many times over, I can only say that the experience is that much richer. This is the ideal music for the miniseries from beginning to end, and one of the best examples of why Thomas Newman is a groundbreaking composer of modern film music.

Thomas Newman is one of the best composers working in American film today, and this is probably his best score. Angels in America was going to be an achievement (as a film): The cast + the director + one of the greatest plays ever = masterpiece. That's due in large part to Newman's wonderful music.

The theme is sonically simply, but wonderfully engaging. In the film, it's first played over the opening "Crossing America" shot, and it gradually comes to a close over a blissfully evocative image. Some of the tracks ("The Mormons", "Bethesda Fountain", and "Lesionnaire") are played prominently in the film, and are easily associated with images. As usual with film scores, it helps to have seen the film. But it's not a necessity.

I'm so moved when I hear "More Life" or "The Great Work Begins". In the movie, this is an cry, a missive, and a hope. In the score, it's a radiant voice asking us, no, DEMANDING US to live life.

This score is the product of a fabulous imagination. The movie is a product of several minor miracles colliding. One of the greatest scores of the past twenty years. What more could you want?

I bought "Angels in America" not because I have seen the film, but simply because I love Thomas Newman's work. It absolutely gave me what I was hoping for.

Newman has such a talent for lending a "fabric" to a movie. Many naysayers accuse Newman of re-using the same music over and over again, but I think this is true of all composers. His movies have an emotion that no other composer can claim, and I think directors choose him for just that purpose - to give the movie an emotional fabric. He can take you on a journey with his music - physically, spiritually and emotionally. A movie takes on a definite tone when he composes the score. Imagine "Finding Nemo" with a score by Pixar-favorite Randy Newman. It just would not have the emotional resonance, and I did read that the writers of the movie wanted to have just that resonance.

This soundtrack is a mixed-bag of Thomas Newman's best melodies and themes. In addition to the Main Title, this score has many great highlights, including "Ellis Island," "The Mormons," "Bethesda Fountain," "Tropopause," and my personal favorite "Mauve Antarctica." The score has a little of everything Newman fans enjoy. It has an Americana-feel like "The Horse Whisperer" and some eclectic sounds similar to "American Beauty." You'll also find the darkness found in "Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile." Prepare yourself for another journey when you listen.

Another triumph on a long list of triumphs. Now if only Oscar would find a place on his mantle.

After seeing the HBO mini-series a few months ago, I immediately bought the soundtrack. I've been a Newman fan for several years, and am familiar with many of his works, and this is his masterpiece. Any fan of his will not be disappointed. It is complex, intricate, moving, and truly captures the spirit and message of the series. Why the Academy has yet to award an Oscar to him is baffling. The best written piece of music of any type that I've heard in years.

Let us start by saying that Angels in America, whether is the book or the HBO adaptation has no comparison, therefore the soundtrack should stand at the same level. Gladly, surpassing any expectations, every piece of music appears on the soundtrack, and it grows deeply into the heart of the listener over the tenth play. There are very few compliations out there that could move a mountain and make it weep. Angels in America proudly leaves that category to other contenders. Buy, enjoy it and be prepared to be consumed by the mighty fire of celestial joy.

I've been a fan of Thomas Newman's film scores for a while now, but I believe he's outdone himself with "Angels in America." The gorgeous main title track alone is worth the purchase of the disc, but the rest show Newman at his most inventive and effective. It helps if you know the film or even the play. This is a must-have.

Anybody who watches a movie scored by Thomas Newman will probably be moved. He typically picks more serious works, though he demonstrated his incredible talent earlier this year with Finding Nemo. Angels in America is vintage Thomas Newman--it's beautiful orchestral music with hints and tinges of some of his other work. Those who liked Meet Joe Black/Green Mile/Shawshank will enjoy this. It's not as dark as some of his other works. I generally know I'll enjoy the movie if Thomas Newman scores it--and I haven't even seen Angels, yet give this soundtrack a huge thumb's up.

I love movies. I've seen so many, you wouldn't believe if I told you how many. There are a lot of movies I love, movies that I've seen many many times without getting bored, "American Beauty" is one of them. But all these movies are nothing compared to the "Angels In America". This isn't a movie. It is a revelation. In my opinion it's the greatest movie of all time. I've never witnessed something like that before. I think I will never get tired of it. I love everything about it. It is a miracle. I'm so thankful for this movie. It is my favourite movie of all time. I hope that HBO will release a DVD Set of "Angels In America". And I hope that the movie gets all the awards it has been nominated for, it deserves all of them and more.
Every single actor did a wonderful job (it's a shame that Justin isn't nominated for a Golden Globe, he was amazing, all were amazing). Tony Kushner's adaptation of his own play is brilliant (I especially liked the fact that the movie doesn't condemn Joe as much as the play did, it's still sad, but it's also a new beginning for Joe). Mike Nichols directing was brave (no fear of nudity) and fantastic, as was the production design. And the soundtrack. The best Thomas Newman score of ALL TIME!!!!
And the last gospel track always makes me cry like a baby (of joy and sadness)!!!!
I'm in love with a movie!
Everybody loves something.

I'm almost done.
The fountain's not flowing now. They turn it off in the winter, ice in the pipes.
This disease will be the end for many of us, but not nearly all, the dead will be commemorated, and will struggle on with the living, and we're not going away. We won't die secret deaths anymore. The world only spins forward. We will be citizens. The time has come.
So, bye now.
You are all fabulous creatures: each and every one.
And I bless you: More Life.
The Great Work Begins.

These lines changed my world...

A powerful drama scored with rich orchestral beauty.
Best 4 tracks: ANGELS IN AMERICA (MAIN TITLE) , BETHESDA FOUNTAIN, TROPOPAUSE, THE GREAT WORK BEGINS (END TITLE)

After working in film scoring for the past decade, Thomas Newman has finally achieved his masterwork with the soundtrack to "Angels in America." It is a culmination of the different techniques and themes he has worked on in the past, along with a completely new orchestral sound that perfectly underlies the depth and scope of the film. It is a very rare score in that it conveys all the happiness, pain, pessimism and hope that Kushner's work is all about, simply through the nuanced way Newman has written and arranged it. It is an incredibly entertaining score that stands well on its own. A must for any fans of Newman or the film.