Customer Reviews

Epics: The History of the World According to Hollywood

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

 

 

When I think of the "Golden Age of Hollywood", many composers come to mind...you gave the usher your ticket in the theater and sat down, knowingly you were going to get your moneys worth...when the curtain opened and you heard those first few notes...you sat back, watched and listened as the film score and orchestra worked their magic...now we have the ultimate from Silva Screen Classics "EPICS:THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO HOLLYWOOD", featuring a four disc set of the essential film scores of the past 60 years...covering several decades right and up to the present 2005.

There are compilations and then there are "Compilations" beginning with a classics that even the youngsters today recognize...sweeping scores that capture the drama, mystery, adventure, action and romance...one great cue after another, it doesn't get any better than this...many nominated and winners by the Academy for Best Original Score...

Silva Screen Classics as usual, has put quality into this 4-CD-Set featuring The City Of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by Kenneth Alwyn, Paul Bateman, James Fitzpatrick, Mario Klemens and Nic Raine. Recorded in "Dolby Surround" with the new technology of "HDCD", this is a "film-score-buffs" dream, one to treasure now and years to come...this collection is aimed directly at the "Serious Film Score" music fans and collectors...Silva is as always, perfect in every way...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1170 ~ (9/6/2005)

The selection of most of the tracks I would have to agree include some of the very best moments from Epic Hollywood film scores. The conception is a solid one.

The problems are in the execution. In many cases the orchestra seems under-rehearsed, and not understanding the music they are playing. The conductors' lack of direction is evident.

Comparing these recordings with the originals you notice how badly balanced the Prague orchestra was. Control of the balance is in the hands of the conductor, recording engineers, and mix engineer. Awareness of what instrument(s) had the melody seems non-existent. That's something the old hollywood engineers knew.

For example, there are tracks like the "Spartacus Love Theme" where the melody in the strings is barely heard compared with the other instruments, and that is a beautiful melody. The strings also seem quite low in volume in "Ave Caesar" from "Quo Vadis", so when the brass enter they are too loud. The exciting "Prince Valiant" prelude had a few sloppy moments, and was awash in reverb. (Compare this track with the original bravura performance in the soundtrack recording by Waxman.)

To sum it up, it's too bad so much effort went into what could have been a greater series of performances with a bit more care and perspective on the material. Low budget doesn't have to mean you rush through everything. If anything, taking more time to get it right is justified.

This wonderful album would have to be the jewel in the crown of my collection. Never before have I heard such passion and precision from this wonderful orchestra, once again they demonstrate their versatility. The movies are timeless, most are from my era, they can be relived.
The huge depth of sound from The Prague Philharmonic fills ones room, yes they have a big voice but for those who have a love of music which is truly inspirational and uplifting it doesn't come any better than this.

WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA TO TAKE HOLLYWOOD'S COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL EPIC MOVIES, EXTRACT THE BEST PORTIONS OF THE SCORES AND COMBINE THEM FROM THE DAWN OF MAN TO THE RECENT PAST. I PARTICULARLY ENJOY THE SUITES FROM GLADIATOR, BRAVEHEART AND THE VIKING. THE REPRODUCTION OF THESE SCORES BY THE CITY OF PRAGUE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS IS BRILLIANT, AND THE RECORDING WAS EXCELLENT. I ONLY WISH THERE WERE EIGHT DISCS INSTEAD OF FOUR TO COVER THE VOLUMES OF SCORES THAT COULD NOT BE INCLUDED. LET'S HOPE FOR A VOLUME II.

Whereas I purchased this album for the soundtrack music from "The Fall of the Roman Empire" by Dimitry Tiompkin who values his music so dear that the specific soundtrack album is priced at over $100.00. The bonus for me was not only the afordable price of this album, but the multitude of great music from motion pictures much of which I am familiar and are rendered beautifully on this album.

This four disc set is amazing. It is wide-ranging and fun to listen to. There is music from movies I saw as a youngster. There is music from movies I have seen as an adult. And it is all good. The memories this brings back are grand. Enjoyable and good listening-what a combination.

This compiiation album makes an excellent gift for that person wanting to discover great, epic scores. I'm surprised, however, that Vangelis' Alexander is included in this one. Not bad, just surprised.

The reason I give this album 4 out of 5 stars is because of the swashbuckler section. How is it that CutThroat Island - one of the greatest epics in history - was scrubbed out of the list? Pirates of the Caribbean is included on the selection but nothing from Debney's masterpiece?!

Yes, that is a huge compilant. If you haven't discovered CutThroat Island, I suggest you get it then you'll understand my frustration. Still, this album is a great buy and worth looking into!

I only got this CD today, haven't heard it all. The first cut I played was "Parade of the Charioteers" from Ben Hur, one of my all time favorite pieces from any movie. I was so disappointed. The orchestra seemed to be playing at 7/8 time of the original almost as if they had recorded this piece the first time they ever played it and were unfamiliar with the music. Miklos Rosza's original was heavy on bass drums and cymbals, but they were either covered by other instruments or gone. Instead of seeing these horses marching smartly, champing on their bits to race, this rendition sees them trudging to the starting line.

Great idea, but the orchestra seemed partially asleep.

Amendment: I have listened to all the CDs and pieces. Very amateurish orchestra. I actually heard some instruments go off-note. Plus the pieces are played slower than the originals. If you can get the original music to all these films, DO SO! If you MUST have the scores from some of these classics, then you'll have to make do with this CD.