Glory: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

James Horner | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 1992)
• Original Release Date: January 23, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WH5
• Also Available in: DVD Audio  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,219 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. A Call TO Arms

2. After Antietam

3. Lonely Christmas

4. Forming The Regiment

5. The Whipping

6. Birning The Town Of Darien

7. Brave Words, Braver Deeds

8. The Year Of Jubilee

9. Preperations For Battle

10. Charging Fort Wagner

11. An Epithaph To War

12. Closing Credits

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Director Ed Zwick's stirring, tragic Civil War epic inspires a gorgeous, deeply moving score from James Horner, who mirrors the story's bitter ironies and ultimate outcome through a main theme and recurring motifs that emphasize the elegiac over the conventionally heroic. While martial drums inevitably rustle beneath Horner's autumnal charts, the somber main theme, when stated by the Harlem Boys Choir, is at once beautiful and heartbreaking, telegraphing the fate of the story's regiment of African-American volunteers in the Union Army. The climactic battle scene, itself a marvel of cinematic impressionism, elicits a more urgent, insistent Latin theme reminiscent of Carl Orff, and just as dramatic. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

Glory chronicles the struggle of black soldiers in the Civil War. It's a tense uplifting melodramatic film as is James Horner's original score. ~ Stephen Thomas ErlewineAll music written by James Horner.James

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars James horner CLASSIC, his best September 28, 2005

By Robert P. Del Grande

Format:Audio CD

When it comes to James Horner, I always rely on two scores of his: Braveheart and Glory. Both had beautiful themes which caught me. I've heard Horner recycles many of his scores, which i'm not denying as false, but I just never noticed it from the soundtracks he has composed that I heard. If anything, most of his soundtracks I really don't like that much, just don't grab me like Braveheart and Glory did. In Glory, I remember watching it, me in my civil war faze at the time. At the end of the movie, Shaw (Broderick) standing on the beach looking out into the ocean wondering whether it was his last breath, his last look at life. And then the Beautiful theme came up. It captured me, I fell in love with it and it just warmed my heart and at the moment, all that mattered was that moment of music. I must have rewinded it like 3-6 times JUST to hear that theme. Just a wonderful, powerful and dramatic piece. The rest of the album is good as well, but that theme alone is what makes the album. A classic movie score in my collection and in my heart.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dramatic, wonderful music to fit perfectly with the movie November 9, 2002

By R. Shumskis

Format:Audio CD

I've loved "Glory" since the first time I saw it (in school one day as a history "assignment"). Initially, I didn't quite understand all of the details of why I enjoyed it so much, however. Obviously, one of the main reasons is this score, which is sometimes so subtle you don't realize it's there, but is at all times applying an influence. It may be to uplift you ("Jubilee"), make you sad ("Whipping"), courageous ("Fort Wagner"), or somber ("Epitaph"). I've shed a couple tears while watching the charge on Fort Wagner, and even listening to the music alone can almost stir the same level of emotion.

The orchestral parts are superb, but there is something particularly stirring about the use of the boys choir. Namely at the emotionally-charged climax, when we are confronted with the harsh results of their failed plans. The simple, innocent voices contrasting against that imagery is startling.

I'm not an ascribed fan of James Horner, but I do love a good soundtrack, and this one -- as far as I'm concerned -- ranks up with "Star Wars" and "Gladiator".

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars doesn't do it justice. September 12, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

I am a huge fan of movie soundtracks. I've listened to them my entire life, before any other form of music. This score stands out from all the others I have ever heard in my life. James Horner deserved the Oscar he got, but not for Titanic. Don't get me wrong, Titanic was good, but you have to admit that the Oscar was for the popularity of My Heart Will Go On. I see his Oscar as one for Glory, just delayed by 9 years. I am a huge fan of John Williams, but this one score by Horner is equal to any of Williams' Oscar winning performaces. Horner's use of drums and the fifes are just as powerful as Williams' violin solos by the legendary Itzak Perlman in Schindler's List. If you want to be emotionally moved by a piece of music, you won't find a better cd than the Glory soundtrack by James Horner. Other suggestions: Appollo 13 by Horner, Hook and Nixon by Williams, Star Trek First Contact by Jerry Goldsmith.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars James Horner's most moving score yet! May 27, 2000

By Joseph Payne

Format:Audio CD

Many people would say this is James Horner's best composition, and I wouldn't doubt that for a minute! This is one of Horner's most popular soundtracks, and has a much different style then most of his previous compositions. Never have I heard a soundtrack that brings out a movie so well! The presence of the Harlem Boys Choir makes the music sound better then ever! You can hear it all...peaceful music to battle marches. This score stays on the quiet side, and it's style would match any Civil War movie perfectly! Being much the same as the soundtrack "Saving Private Ryan", I wouldn't doubt that you cry while listening to Glory! Track 1, "A call to Arms" starts with the drums of war in the background, while the Harlem choir sings the main theme. This music is very moving, and any and every collector of James Horner should have this CD! As the music progresses, the choir backs off, and strings continue on, playing the main theme. Brass and Bells play along towards the end of the music, giving it a fantastic grand finally. Every single scrap of music on this CD diserves listening to, and this soundtrack is well respected by Horner collectors. Give this soundtrack a try WHATEVER you do!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most moving scores of all time November 20, 1999

By Joseph Payne

Format:Audio CD

"Glory" is an incredible work. When I first saw the movie several years ago, I did not pay very much attention to the music. Then I heard the music of "Glory" used in several film trailers on television, and I decided to buy it.

My money was not wasted. "Glory" is one of the few scores that evokes so much emotion that your spine literally tingles. Whenever I listen to the music, I can't help but remember the bravery of the regiment in in the final battle, and the heartbreak of seeing the mass-burial at the end. Horner has outdone himself with this album, as has also done with "The Rocketeer" and "Legends of the Fall."

And that's coming from a die-hard John Williams fan!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, inspiring piece. January 8, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

James Horner's Glory is, in my opinion, one of his greatest works ever. I have been a fan of Mr. Horner's, and film scores in general, for years and rarely am I this moved by a piece of music. When I was sixteen years old I got a job as a projectionist at my local movie theater. One of the films released that fall was Glory and I was immediately struck by its somber and haunting soundtrack. I don't believe I've ever heard a better blend of music and film in my life. Kudos to James Horner and movies like Glory which are made simply to make you feel something. I feel quite a bit everytime I hear this album.