Customer Reviews

Doctor Zhivago: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - The Deluxe Thirtieth Anniversary Edition

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Maurice Jarre created a sound-track classic-for-all-time . . . and for all times with the soundtrack for the 1965 film "Dr. Zhivago". This was an epic movie of an epic love and demanded an epic musical score. This soundtrack transcended that demand. While it was the perfect accompnyment to every scene of the film . . .it stands on its own as well, even now almost forty years later.

The recurring "theme" - "Lara's Theme" (popularly known as 'Somewhere My Love'- as lyrics were added for pop radio) is today, instantly recognizable to everyone. (I can't hear that theme without "falling in love all over again" with Julie Cristie, who played the role of Lara - or who WAS Lara!)

Another memorable track is the "Kontakion" from the Kievan Russian Orthodox Requiem Liturgy. This hymn is emotionally moving in every Eastern Orthodox funeral or memorial service for the dead . . . it was just as emotional in the film setting as the young boy Yuri (Zhivago) attends his mother's funeral and interment. Just listening to the track today, brings memories of that scene . . . and to any Orthodox familiar with his/her own spiritual tradition, evokes prayerful memories of every funeral of any loved ones who have departed this life. This track alone makes this disc worthwhile owning.

This 1995 "Thirtieth Anniversary Edition" is expanded to include much music hich was not included on the oiginal 1995 release . . . all of it worthy. Also, three variations of "Lara's Theme" (not on the film score) are also added "bonus tracks" - one jazz, one rock, and one swing -- all interesting and enjoyable, though out of the film context . . .but they demonstrate just how adaptable and viable "Laras Theme" actually is and can be. (I must admit that the "rock" version sounds more like "Dixieland to my hearing.)

This is a more than worthwhile album to own and to listen to over and over again. Even if you never saw the movie,"Dr. Zhivago", you will enjoy this album . . . and maybe even be inspired to read Boris Pasternak's book . . . and maybe even get a copy of the film to watch . . . again and again . . . and possibly fall in love with Julie Christie (Lara).

(p.s. - Boris Pasterak actually meant this "love story triangle" to represent being torn between the love for "Mother Russia" with the "Czar" and "The Revolution" and all that it entailed and hoped to build for a new Russia and all that Revolution ruined and destroyed . . . Zhivago, Tonya, Lara, Strelnikov, Komarovsky are all "symbols" of the love/longing/strife/war of Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary Russia.)

After watching the movie "Doctor Zhivago" (which I recommend, it was a lovely movie), I just had to go out and buy the soundtrack to it. Maurice Jarr's score is breathtaking. The balalaikas are wonderful, it adds a very Russian feel to it all. My favorite piece is the 'Main Title' and the other slower, more romantic tracks, which feature the famous "Lara's Theme." A nice edition for Doctor Zhivago fans or just for anyone who enjoyed the music. It won the Academy Award in 1965. Get the 30th Anniversary CD, since it has some interesting facts and also has some pieces that were cut out of the finished movie.

Maurice Jarre's stunning score to the film DOCTOR ZHIVAGO ranks as one of the finest soundtracks ever composed. Grand, memorable, and powerful, Jarre's acheivement captures the agony of revolutionary Russia and complements brilliantly the epic production of Metro Goldwyn Mayer.

Jarre's score involves a use of several leitmotifs, Lara's Theme being the most famous, which bind each piece into the larger whole of the film. That Jarre was able to accomplish this is all the more surprising because, as he states in the CD booklet, he had only 6 weeks to compose the film score.

The production of the soundtrack is crystal-clear and strong. The drums are crisp and reverberant, and the elements of the orchestra is balanced on the recording.

For those who loved the film and its score, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is essential

Intense, memorable soundtrack. I had no idea this common tune had originated from a contemporary film. In specific regards to "Lara's Theme", it's instantly memorable. Really stuck in my mind after I finished viewing the film.

Classic scores, classic alumn.

It is said that French composer Maurice Jarre created the score to Doctor Zhivago in six weeks. The 1965 film, based on the book by Russian novelist Boris Pasternak. The soundtrack is full of beautiful music and captures the spirit of the film and the truly Russian flavor with style. The Overture opens with the Russian national anthem, a theme heard in the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky and proceeds with the Bolshevik chants that re-emerge in other parts of the film in military marches. Lara's theme is a common motif in the film, as it represents Dr. Zhivago's love for the beautiful but elusive Lara. It is an almost French-sounding love theme, sweetened by the sound of the balalaika, which appears often in the score to give it a cultural Russian sound.
A Russian requiem is played during the scene of Dr. Zhivago's father's death.

The first tracks establish the Imperial Russian setting. It is a glamorous world for the empowered aristocracy. Waltzes and a festive song is heard. The tracks that follow build up the tension and the war theme, in contrast with the more peaceful and romantic Lara's theme. The last three tracks are variations of Lara's theme- Jazz version, Rock'n'roll version and Swing version. All great interpretations with a lively beat, especially the Rock n' roll version, with music that would not have been out of place in the 60's. This cd is a treat for fans of the film and Maurice Jarre's music.

If not number one, Maurice Jarre's sweeping, beautiful score for David Lean's "Doctor Zhivago" is certainly in the top three of the greatest film scores ever composed. Lean and Jarre had already proven a magical combination on their previous collaboration - "Lawrence of Arabia". But with "Doctor Zhivago", Jarre would arguably make his finest creation, and certainly his most famous - the ubiquitous, sweepingly romantic "Lara's Theme".

Rarely, if ever, has a score captured the feel and emotions of a film so well. The Overture alone showcases the film's juxtaposition between the romantic and personal, and the inevitable, tragic tide of history. The score is unbelievably complex, ranging from tragic to upbeat to haunting to stirring. It is truly a remarkable achievement, and the score is plenty effective on its own.

The CD features a plethora of highly memorable pieces. While the more critical might grow weary of the umpteenth rendition of "Lara's Theme", this reviewer wouldn't, and in any case might point the cynic to the many other cues on the soundtrack. The early segments of the soundtrack contain mostly indifferent incidental music, but around track 10 the show starts to kick into high gear. The haunting "They Began to Go Home", "After Deserters Kill the Colonel", and "Yuri is Taken Prisoner By the Red Partisans" convey the tragic, unavoidable violence of Russia's civil war. Anyone who wants something other than romance would hardly find a more stirring and violent contrast than here. Much of the incidental music is surprisingly good too - the heart-rending "Kontakion", "Evening Bells-Moscow Bells", and the ominous "Yevgraf Snaps His Fingers" are highlights.

The heart-breaking Main Title, Lara Says Goodbye To Yuri, the build-up to crescendo in "Yuri and the Daffodils", and "On a Yuriatin Street" are the most notable renditions of Lara's Theme, and each is moving in its own way; there's enough variation to prevent these tracks from becoming monotonous. And in any case, the piece is so beautiful in its own right that it's difficult to complain about it, in my view.

Beautiful artwork, liner notes, and a few fun bonus tracks only add to the experience. "Doctor Zhivago" is, simply, one of the most memorable, emotional and versatile film scores ever written - a sweeping experience that transcends the film.

The legendary Jarre composed this in only six weeks!

The theme which is so recognizable and varied throughout this soundtrack, was his fourth attempt! The director rejected his first three. Told him, forget about Russia. Go to the mountains with your girlfriend, write a love song that will be universal! What an outcome!

Story opens with the inheritance of the balalaika. Common thread. How found sixteen players and how they interfaced with the orchestra. Influenced by a balalaika orchestra in Russia.

This and more in the outstanding notes with this special edition.

Favorites are the Russian influenced waltzes, and of course variations of Lara's theme.

As the mood of the film changes, so does the soundtrack. With its Bolshevic chants, and marches, and down sounds. How this wonderful score enhances and makes this film's images so vivid and alive in one's mind only by hearing the theme's few notes.

TENETE DE GAULLE. THE CD IS VERY GOOD. SORRT ABOUT ME ENGLISHE. I'M RUSSIAN.

I found this soundtrack to be what I had hoped for--relaxing and enjoyable. I listened initially at my computer (with earphones) at work and the soundtrack helped me work with a lighter heart and greater enthusiasm. It recalled for me the wonderful scenes in the movie, which happens to be one of my all time favorite romantic movies.

Doctor Zhivago has always been my favorite movie. I finally got around to buying the complete sound track. Wonderful, just wonderful.