Customer Reviews

Balto (1995 Film)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Horner has composed an incredible soundtrack for Steven Spielberg's animated masterpiece, Balto. Easily as good as some of his other works, such as The Land Before Time and An American Tail, this soundtrack uses very emotional and very minor-pitch themes to paint a vivid picture of the Alaskan wilderness.

Some of the better tracks on the CD:

2. Main Title / Balto's Story Unfolds -- This is where you hear Balto's theme for the first time. Sad and beautiful, it appears for a short time and then changes into more cheerful music. Later on in the track, as the story switches to the dogsled race, the tension in the music builds and finally explodes into a long section of heart-pounding action music.

6. The Journey Begins -- From the very beginning, this track alternates between driving energy and reflective, emotional sections. Balto's theme is heard halfway through the track in possibly one of the most sorrowful and moving variations in the entire soundtrack.

8. Jenna / Telegraphing the News -- Jenna's theme, played here in its entirety, is a very beautiful blend of strings and woodwinds. Her theme transitions into one of the most powerful moments in the movie: the desperate telegraph for help. To create a musical version of Morse code, James Horner used flutes and violins to play literal "dots" and "dashes" which then builds into the powerful cello/horn-driven Balto's theme.

11. Heritage of the Wolf -- Corresponding to the famous "White Wolf Scene" from the movie, this track starts off very mournfully and builds into the spine-tingling choral passage of the Northern Lights. The next section is easily the most climactic music on the entire soundtrack. A quiet melody starting with the chorus and a few strings gradually adds more instruments and grows in intensity until it breaks out into Balto's theme in all of its tragic beauty. It is almost impossible to listen to this passage without feelings chills of some kind, or even tearing up. It is very similar in climactic style to track 13 ("Breakout") on the Dinosaur soundtrack.

12. Balto Brings the Medicine! -- Somehow, James Horner is able to take all of the mournful and tragic themes from the soundtrack and weave them together to make a triumphant and victorious celebration. Balto's theme grows from beautiful simplicity in the middle of the track to an emotional full orchestra and chorus at the end. At the end of the celebratory music, it climaxes with the choral finale of the Northern Lights, leaving the listener breathless.

Unfortunately, this soundtrack is out-of-print and not very well known, but this doesn't detract from the fact that Balto is easily one of the most powerful examples of a minor-key soundtrack that contains some of the most emotional music ever written.

5 stars.

Wow..... Just wow. Never have I felt such a power explosion of music on a CD (With the exception of the Angel Sanctuary CDs). My favorite song HAS to be Heritage of the Wolf, its amazing and kind of makes me cry in the beginning, since I know where this song takes place. Then in the middle i pretend to be Balto and Howl up a storm. Hehe....Reach for the Light is in a close #2, I love the chourus and music, and how the kids actually sound good when they join in. Only three words for this album; ITS TRULY AMAZING!!

After the movie came out and there was no corresponding CD, I almost cried! I would watch the movie over and over again just to listen to the music (the movie is excellent as well). I also kept watching for a CD release after the fact and when I finally did see it - it was not available. I had to get it on Ebay and it was worth the continued search! Fantastic beyond your imagination - what a composer James Horner is (he also did the music for Titanic which is excellent)!

Balto was a wonderful story of courage set in Alaska. James Horner has caught the spirit of the wolf in his score and a sense of courage that we hope we all have. the song at the end in very moving and appropiute to show the subtle courage of one very brave dog. He gave us music that drives hope on and keeps us hooked. Bravo James!

It's really a shame this CD is out of print.. in order to get it I had to bid for it on eBay. All the music is excellent.. if you have an opportunity to get this ever, get it.

This is a difficult CD to find. I had to buy it at one of those Amazon's zshop.

Tht being said the Music is marvelous. Once again James Horner composed some orinigal music. For a children's movie it does not sound childish (maybe a little). I highly reccommand this for all of Horner's fans. If you like this CD I would reccomend Willow and Land Before Time (Both composed by Horner) as well.

I absolutely loved this soundtrack. The music is composed flawlessly. Anyone who listens to the music is inspired and awed. I definitely give this soundtrack 5 stars.

This is the score from the feature film. Great music. Includes both a regular and long version of the movie theme "Reach For The Light."

Oh help me. I'm gonna be sick on how underrated this CD is!! I MEAN, COME ON! It's beautiful. Heritage of the Wolf makes me cry buckets! They remind me of my childhood! Definitely a MUST to collect for your rare Balto merchandise! 5 stars!

This is the most wonderful soundtrack I had ever listend to. Has great feeling into it and especially the movie which is based on the 1925 deptheria epidemic in Alaska. Most great movie and soudtrack to go together!