Customer Reviews

Film Music of Thomas Newman - O.S.T.

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Can one say that they have arrived when there is a greatest hits recording by a third party? The answer is a resounding yes in the case of Thomas Newman. Seven of his Oscar nominated scores as well as his Emmy award-winning theme Six Feet Under are represented on this Silva release performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and London Music Works. James Fitzpatrick and Rick Clark selected (14) tracks Newman did for films between 1994-2006, the two decades that have brought him to the top of the A list in composers. Son of Alfred Newman, a (9) time Oscar winner, brother of David, film composer, and cousin to Randy Newman another Oscar winner, the family just keeps on producing wonderful scores.

Don't expect to hear a lot of the quirky material that has become his trademark although "Dead Already" from American Beauty and the "Theme" from Six Feet Under are included which spotlights percussion, pizzicato strings, unusual instruments, and just plain weird sounds! The difficulty in duplicating this for a concert hall setting is going to be who is going to play them and where are you going to get the instruments. Couple this with the mixing in of separate tracks to the OST material and you're never going to be able to do it. The emphasis of this CD is placed on the sweeping melodies, lush arranging, and just plain old fashion playing to bring a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye. Shawshank Redemption, Meet Joe Black, The Green Mile, and Cinderella Man are good examples of his classic concert works. While both Road to Perdition, and Finding Nemo could have had the quirky nature depending on the cue chosen, the road of conservatism prevailed and these tracks are also softer moments, more of the easy listening style. One of his latest works The Good German, a return to the music style of his father is nicely captured in two cues. Having said that the trained ear could still get a whiff of the Thomas trademark in the strings and harmony. Little Women, always a favorite of this reviewer, is not only included but features a Thomas Newman arrangement

Think of this release as a pleasant one-hour concert written by a composer who truly knows how to write a melody, one that you would be humming to yourself or out loud as you leave the theater. But it is extremely important to keep in mind that this is performed concert style, a nice way to listen to your music. An individual could easily pick apart each and every track on this recording. Oh, this four bar motif in the brass wasn't included or the E flat clarinet is missing in Finding Nemo. As a serious reviewer I took the time to put together (4) of the selections with the OST followed by this Silva recording and found that while different the performance, orchestration and arranging were more than acceptable. To many of the hard core soundtrack listeners your own personal compilation CD is in order and this CD is not recommended. If you want a nice one hour listening experience this CD will fill the bill. If you are somewhat new to the world of Thomas Newman this is an excellent introduction. If you like what you hear there are numerous recordings available to explore. Recommended!!!

When I watch a movie, I pay attention to who did the musical score. When it comes to Thomas Newman, I do not have to look....I know it is he just by listening to the music of a particular movie. His music is fantastic and I have bought the soundtracks from movies to which he has performed the musical score. When I saw that there was a single CD providing some of the different soundtracks that he had written, I just had to have it. I knew that I would not be disappointed, as I am so familiar with his work. It is so nice having various musical scores of Thomas Newman's work on one CD, and since receiving it, I play it all of the time. When I see that Thomas Newman did the musical score, I know the movie is going to be a good, for his music pulls you into the movie. I recommend this CD to everyone who enjoyed movies such as The Greene Mile, Road to Perdition, Little Women, The Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty, and the Horse Whisperer to name a few.

Newman's musical scores are simply marvelous and touch the soul.
The other reviewers have said it best except that its a MUST HAVE disc. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Some of the most recognizable themes from movies and television are thanks to the creative mind of Thomas Newman. On this very well curated CD release his music is performed by both the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by James Fitzpatrick and the London Music works. The far too short CD presents highlights from seven of Thomas Newman's Oscar nominated soundtracks as well as that theme from 'Six Feet Under', that startling television series whose opening credits starred a raven flying from tombstone to tombstone to Newman's rollicking score.

This well-conceived collection features Newman's scores from the 1990s, 'when he matured as a composer and formed his own recognizable music language. They alternate between a more traditional orchestral sound and the unconventional, non-Western, scores using modified instruments, such as processed hurdy gurdy, detuned mandolin, xaphoon, and saz, as well as electronic elements to create a percussive, gamelan-like sound' - to quote the PR info. The fourteen excerpts here are from the following: The Good German, Road To Perdition, American Beauty, The Horse Whisperer, The Green Mile, Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events, Little Women, Cinderella Man, Finding Nemo, Meet Joe Black, Six Feet Under, and The Shawshank Redemption. This is a fine tribute to a fine composer who continues to have his name associated with the current 'best films'. A Treat! Grady Harp, September 11

I am a huge fan of Thomas Newman music. This compilation is really enjoyable but keep in mind, this is NOT the original works you may be familiar with from the movies. Although the pieces are extremely close to the original (and I wish they were the original versions), just be aware of this. I have enjoyed each work and definitely recommend this album for Thomas Newman fans or someone who wants to experience movie scores.

Silva Screen Records LTD presents "FILM MUSIC OF THOMAS NEWMAN" (2008) -- Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Fitzpatrick, Nic Raine and Ken Alwyn --- Thomas Newman comes from a family whose relation to soundtrack music is unprecedented --- Since 1994 he has scored at least one Oscar nominated film for each year from The Shawshank Redemption to last year's The Good German --- This collection brings together music from seven of his music --- Oscar nominated soundtracks including the seminal and much imitated theme from American Beauty.

Thomas Montgomery Newman (born October 20, 1955 Los Angeles, California, USA) is an American 8 time Academy Award-nominated film score composer --- He is a member of a film-scoring dynasty in Hollywood that includes his father Alfred Newman, his uncle Lionel Newman, his brother David Newman, and his cousins Joey Newman and Randy Newman (who is best known as a singer and songwriter).

Newman was educated at Yale University, and began his film-scoring career in 1984 with his score for Reckless. His breakthrough came in 1994, when he earned two Academy Award nominations for his scores to Little Women and The Shawshank Redemption; he was the only double-nominee that year. His critical and commercial success has continued in recent years with his scores for American Beauty (winner of the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media), Road to Perdition, Finding Nemo, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Pay it Forward, The Good German and WALL-E. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Wonderful 14 Selections from the Thomas Newman (in the order in which they appear)

1. The Good German: Unrecht Oder Recht (02:32)

2. The Good German: Jedem das Seine (03:16)

3. Road to Perdition: Main Theme (03:52)

4. American Beauty: Plastic Bag Theme (02:51)

5. American Beauty: Dead Already (03:18)

6. The Horse Whisperer: End Title (03:37)

7. The Green Mile (04:00)

8. Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events: The Letter That Never Came (04:00)

9. Little Women (04:10)

10. Cinderella Man (05:31)

11. Finding Nemo: Finding Nemo / Nemo Egg (02:34)

12. Meet Joe Black: Whisper of a Thrill (06:16)

13. Six Feet Under: Theme (02:11)

14. The Shawshank Redemption: End Titles (03:51)

Must ask the following to take a bow ~ James Fitzpatrick and Rick Clark (Producers), always in their pitching, Reynold da Silva (executive producer), James Fitzpatrick, Nic Raine and Ken Alwyn performing the conducting duties, a tremendous asset to every project they undertake --- and the label which made it all possible -- Silva America --- must say this collection is nicely priced as you get more for your moneys worth.

Total Time: 52 mins on 14 Tracks ~ SILCD 1262 ~ (9/16/2008)