Customer Reviews

The Horse Whisperer: Original Score

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Some people always ask why I have so many soundtracks, especially score albums, and the reason for it is this: in listening to the music from movies, I'm able to create in my mind a vision of my life that ties in with a certain piece of music. The Horse Whisperer is among one ofmy many favorites with which to do this, mostly with the slow-moving, haunting ballads of newfound and unattainable love as played out in the film. Track 26, entitled "The Vast Continent," is, without a doubt, the most moving piece of music I've ever heard from a motion picture score, starting out slow and building to a bittersweet climax of strings horns, and piano. It is the perfect melody for love that, although it does exist, cannot be carried out. Track 12, "The Rhythm of the Horse," is a joyous, uplifting ballad that will give the listener a sense of being on top of the world, while the mellow, pro-depression "Hooves" is sure to create the sense of sorrow intended for the movie. This score spans a wide variety of orchestral efforts and compositions, and is one that will stay in the mind for many days after listening to it.

#1. You love the usual Thomas Newman sound.

#2. You're looking for a vast array of tracks that are extremely unique when compared to other Newman cds.

#3. You loved Newman cd's like How To Make An American Quilt and Little Women. Note, this is not American Beauty or Pay it Forward Newman.

#4. You like deeply involving melodies that blast with enthusiasm, delight, despair, and dozens of other emotion-invoking tracks.

#5. You love Newman! I think we've already established that last one.

With this score, you'll be getting one Newman's greatest works. It's right there Shawshank, Road to Perdition, and Fried Green Tomatoes. There are fun tracks, deeply moving tracks, and a wide assortment of others that make this cd stand near the top of the Thomas Newman mountain. You will love this cd.

Final note: as you might have assumed already, this score contains a number of guitar/orchestra tracks that create a nice mix. It's really quite a pleasant treat for your listening ears.

As a HUGE movie score fan and soundtrack collector this newest addition to my growing collection has been nothing but a joy for the ear. Thomas Newman really shines with this western/folk/epic style score that is impossible to remove from your CD player. I haven't stopped listening to it ever since I first got it a few weeks ago, and "The Rythm of the Horse" as well as the "End Title" seriously give me chills down my spine and they almost bring me to tears. Seldom have I heard such a beautiful, emotional and magnificent score!

I saw the movie, "The Horse Whisperer," when it first came out in theatres. It was a great story and I felt that they could have done more with it. But three things stood out: the exquisite views of Montana on the big screen, looking like the last of the Wild West; the breakout performance by a very young Scarlett Johansson, playing the young adolescent who lost part of her soul when she lost part of her leg (this movie offers as part of its story line how the Horse Whisperer heals the girl in the process of working with her horse); and an unforgettable musical score by Thomas Newman.

This was the musical score which got me to pay attention to the musical scores of all movies and to start incorporating CD's of the ones that I love into my music collection to continue to enjoy beyond watching the movies. There are selections in this score that are whimsical or saucy or sad or full of inspiration or longing (or sometimes both). I suspect that Thomas Newman plays the piano himself for this score; nothing else can explain the sweetness and depth that the performer communicates with such soft and simple notes. The string performances are very good, too.

This score continues to be something I listen to again and again. Favorite selections include "There Was Snow" (you can listen to a bit of it using the Amazon Music Sampler for this CD) and "Grace," the theme music for the character played so masterfully by Scarlett Johansson. The movie is worth seeing for her performance but the score transcends the movie.

Being a fan of Thomas Newman and his work, as well as a long time lover of soundtracks, I can only say that the Horse Whisperer is by far Newman's best! It is one that I never tire of listening to, and find it a truly relaxing and enjoyable composition. You can't go wrong with this one.

I have one word to describe this album: "Amazing". I have never heard anything more beautiful, more awe-inspiring, more hauntingly gorgeous than this score. It is Thomas Newman at his best. It was because of this work that I sought out other works done by this composer. This album reflects so beautifully the soft winds of a winter storm through flutes and fiddle... Or the mystery of a dark forest through light piano and violin. This is about 75% relaxing and 25% upbeat and energetic. Just because it's soft doesn't mean it's "easy-listening" or "New Age"... It falls into a category all it's own. This CD is perfect to bring on a journey up to a mountaintop to accent nature's glory, or while home with a loved one to romance the senses, or to listen to while on a deserted beach. It reflects the "feel" of the movie perfectly and envelops you into emotion. For a Thomas Newman fan, it doesn't get much better than this! This music is much less like "American Beauty" or "Road To Perdition" and more flowing and "etheric" like "The Green mile" and "Horse Whisperer". Whether a long time fan or a new listener, this album will get you hooked, and most likely become your new favorite soundtrack/album.

I've had this cd for three days, and listened to it at work through headphones every day (I'm big on not forcing my music choices on others). Although some of the pieces are short, mere excerpts of sound, the overall effect of the music is alternately soothing or energizing. I love the sound of this album. A particularly favorite cut of mind, and the one that prompted me to purchase this cd in the first place, is the track entitled "Rhythm of the Horse," also reprised as "End Title." It's so gorgeous, I want to cry. Highly recomended as music to drive to, work to, or listen to in the dark (preferably with someone you love).

There are TWO soundtracks for this film, one the original score and the other, country music type soundtrack of songs. Both are good but different. Buy the "origial score" if you like the music you hear in the movie. This comes only in CD form from Hollywood Records. The other soundtrack is country music from MCA Nashville on CD and cass. Both look almost the same but read the cover before you buy. More movies now have more than one soundtrack, so pay attention to what you want when buying.

This version is the one to buy, not the Songs From and Inspired by the Motion Picture version. This version is full of actual soundtrack music, all of which is extremely well done. The other version is country artists doing their take on the movie.

"The Horse Whisperer" is simply enchanting; detailing every bit of Newman's genius. Listen to this album at least twice over, before determining your opinion. Its always subtle, and occasionally rustic tunes mightn't encapsulate you first hand. But once you are taken captive, you cannot get out. It is a masterpiece one must unravel to appreciate. Highly recommended.