Customer Reviews

Frank Herbert's Children of Dune [Original Television Soundtrack]

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"Children of Dune," the original television soundtrack, features 36 tracks of music composed by Brian Tyler. This is a stunningly beautiful, emotionally rich musical score. This disc is full of excitement, suspense, tenderness, and exoticism.

The epic musical journey starts out strong with "Summon the Worm," which has a big, rich sound--the fitting prelude to an epic. The main title has a heroic, upbeat flavor. Many tracks have strong ethnic/exotic flavors; some of these include "Trap the Worm," "Exiles," and "My Skin Is Not My Own." Also noteworthy on this disc is the strong percussive element to many of the tracks.

But the track which really blew me away is "Inama Nushif (Montage)." The liner notes state that the vocal on this track is sung in the fictional Fremen language of the Dune saga. This composition is joyful and uplifting, with a truly mystical quality. "Children of Dune" is a superb piece of science fiction film scoring; it's a disc that rewards repeat listenings.

One of the most memorable aspects of the ambitious CHILDREN OF DUNE mini-series is the soundtrack. Bryan Tyler's score is far different than the dark, morose and mysterious soundtrack used in the original DUNE.

In my mind, the makers of the 2nd DUNE got their money's worth by hiring Tyler. The original score has both the sorrow and the majesty to be commensurate with the scope of the film itself. From the bold brass melodies to the sad, sombre phrases of woodwinds and strings, Tyler delivers.

One of the most mesmerizing tracks is INAMA NUSHIF (MONTAGE). It covers a very pivotal part of the film and listening to it brings back the powerful and poignant images of the story.

All in all, Brian Tyler may very well be (or become) the best composer of soundtracks this side of Hans Zimmer. If you don't believe me, buy this CD and then decide for yourself!

The score for Children of Dune is breathtaking, haunting, and majestic on a scale rare for any film, much less a television miniseries. The themes of tragedy, betrayal and sacrifice in the film are conveyed expertly by composer Brian Tyler, transforming a simple score album into a narration of the tale of Dune that is powerful enough to stand on its own. An especially poignant track is "Inama Nushif", which utilizes an otherworldly female voice singing in the native language of Dune to express the beauty, strength, and ultimately unforgiving nature of the planet and its people. Another superb track is "Farewell", which leaves the listener with a sense of hope after the adversity and misery suffered by so many of the characters.

This score is an emotional experience in and of itself, made better yet by the movie with which it works in such harmony. While there are few stand-out tracks, the entire album is simply beautiful and well worth listening to.

Get beyond the bland cover art (why ignore the mini-series key art?) and you have a truly gorgeous score that's got it all - big theme ("Summon The Worms", "The Revolution", "The Jihad"), and full-tilt action scoring ( "Rya Wolves", "Fear Is The Mind Killer"), balanced with "ethnic" percussion and woodwinds ("Trap The Worm", "Exiles", "My Skin Is Not My Own") and ethereal solo vocals ("Dune Messiah", "Inaaama Nushif (Montage)" - the closing cue from part one of the series).

Despite the score having a whopping main theme, which is unleashed with great intensity in the opening track, "Summon The Worms" and reprised with as much vigor in "The Jihad", Brian Tyler doesn't automatically stamp it into his score over and over again. Instead, it's split up, disguised and manipulated. You'll hear it via beautiful and soft female solo in "Dune Messiah", and on brass in the majestic "Main Title (House Atreides)". There's also an epic quality in Children Of Dune that has been lacking in previous Dune scores. You'll find it in the attractive "The Arrival of Lady Jessica", with soft-choral samples and regal brass fanfares. An album highlight, "Inama Nushif (Montage)", is also a showcase for the strong female vocal component of the score. Written appropriately in Fremen and performed over a slow-groove of percussion, brass and strings, the track has strong pop elements. After a major album highlight, "The Jihad", which reprises the main theme with great passion, the second half of the disc settles into a more ambient mode, but not at the expense of melody or interest. Moments to look out for include "The Throne Of Alia", with it's tenuous duet of duduk and solo female voice, "My Skin Is Not My Own" which unleashes an arsenal of percussion and grooves.

With the Children Of Dune mini-series clocking in at over three hours, the score has been distilled into one album, making a surprisingly cohesive package, one where there's always something interesting transpiring -- which is important, because this album runs north of sixty-seven minutes (i.e., a long time). Scores that mesh as many elements as this one make distinctive listening experiences, and are good for multiple repeat spins.

While watching the Children of Dune series, I was struck by the birth/assassination sequence at the end of the first part. Struck dumb. Inama Nushif (track 8) loses none of its impact on the cd, and the rest of the soundtrack is equally enjoyable. The music has a definite Middle Eastern feel, which enhances the 'Dune-ish' feel, and Trap the Worm (track 16) for instance, would lend itself very well to Oriental (Belly) Dance.

When I watched the trailer for "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" I immediately resolved I wanted to see the movie--but only because it had awesome music. I was tricked. The music was, in fact, from "Children of Dune".
"Children of Dune" is a score that goes beyond its job and stands alone as a masterpiece. This music plays over and over in my head all day. It is definately the most powerful score I have encountered to date. Brian Tyler is amazing. He takes very simple melodies and chords and turns them into the most profound, powerful themes ever written.
The miniseries "Children of Dune" did not impress me except for the score, which proves even more that this soundtrack is a success.
This music does not require any 'support' from the film it was written for. It alone will impress you.
Another bonus to "Children of Dune" is that it isn't exactly mainstream. That makes it even more enjoyable because it is like finding a lost treasure chest. "Children of Dune" is my favorite score. "The Lord of the Rings", "Pirates of the Carribean", "Jurassic Park", "Star Wars" and many other magnificent movies scores are somehow all below "Children of Dune" on my list. If you are a fan of amazing, uplifting, epic music you will not regret buying this soundtrack.

The score to Children of Dune caught me completely offguard. I saw Children of Dune last week from a friend who had a promotion copy of the movie. I got my soundtrack today and I must say that this score a mind boggling work of searing emotion and bold musical statements. Using both orchestra and non-orchestral instruments, this music gets inside your head. There are voices, drums, choirs, and a whole host of instruments I have never even heard before. You will not be able to shake these themes. The track "Inama Nushif" from the trailer and the birth scene is beyond praise. Wonderful music. Brian Tyler has composed a timeless score here. I look forward to receiving my copy of his other recent score "The Hunted" from Amazon now that I have heard this score.

While the movie is generally enjoyable for Dune fans, the sountrack is nothing less than magic. The highlight is of course the hauntingly beautiful Inama Nushif piece (sung in native Fremen language). The moment I first heard the song in the miniseries, I decided that I must acquire the soundtrack. Other pieces like the opening and climax themes are grand and majestic to say the least. Brian Tyler really did a great job in capturing the intense, complex emotional content of Frank Herbert's legacy.

Probably the finest musical score I have ever heard - and I've heard a lot! Caught the last hour of this on the UK Sci-Fi Channel in December and was straight away struck, not by the series, which was good, but by the haunting, and dramatic music playing over events I had no comprehension of. Not being a musician I have no idea about technical matters. No matter though, this is pure emotion and will leave you dumbstruck.

When I first listened the score, I hadn't seen the movie. After the first 5 tracks alone, my jaw was on the floor. This moved me, and it's truly beautiful. No other soundtrack has made me want to watch a movie more than COD. Quite possibly the best music I have ever heard for a movie, or anything else for that matter, in my life. I urge everyone to listen to this even if you are not a Dune fan, because I wasn't until this.