Iris (2001 film) [SOUNDTRACK]

James Horner, Joshua Bell

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2002)
• Original Release Date: January 8, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005UNWX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,359 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

James Horner was faced with an unusual challenge when he composed the score for Iris, a film about Iris Murdoch's descent into Alzheimer's disease. In the movie, two actresses play the role of Murdoch, and scenes constantly shift between those showing the novelist as a young woman, played by Kate Winslet, and as an old, dying woman, played by Judi Dench. Horner solves the musical continuity problem of jumping backward and forward in time by writing solo violin parts that echo Murdoch's emotions and tie the past and future together. Joshua Bell does an exquisite job playing the vitally important violin solos, particularly in the selections from the last part of the movie, when the music must speak for someone who has lost the ability to use words. Horner has wisely opted to use understated orchestration, which gives Bell's playing an emotional clarity that would have been swamped by a larger ensemble. By toning down the bombast, and trusting in his gift for melody, Horner has produced one of his finest and most subtle scores to date. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a Lark on a clear day, March 18, 2002

By	Matthew A. Sackel (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I knew I wanted this sound track from the moment I left the movie theatre. The music is beautiful, and can fully stand on its own outside of the "Sound Track category", and could easily have been sold as "classical music". The Joshua Bell violin solos are haunting and beautiful.

The track on the CD I enjoy the most is number 8. Here is the song "Like a Lark", that Kate Winslet (the young Iris) sings. It is followed by an enchanting violin piece, and the lyrics then come back. It is the only track with vocals.

I enjoyed this CD..found it to be relaxing, and comforting. It may inspire one to pick up an Iris Murdoch book, and settle in for a cozy read. I highly recommend this CD. James Horner has done very well.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, February 5, 2002

By	Adil Sohail Qureshi (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The music for this movie is very beautiful. Although James Horner does repeat himself. He does not do so as much. In fact almost all but 5% of his music is original. It does "sound" like the "Spitfire Grill" soundtrack. However he did not took any music from it. I would also praise Joshua Bell for his performance on the violen.

A word of warning, the CD booklet contains some info on each of the music tracks. This info basically tells the whole plot of the movie. Avoid reading it if you want to see the film.

Enjoy

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Horner's excellent IRIS, January 8, 2002

By	Dimitri Ntatsos (Tempe, AZ) - See all my reviews

As a musician myself, I immerse myself in all types of classical, film, and opera music -- especially with magnificent writers/performers such as James Horner and Joshua Bell.

First, this is the one Horner score that will distinguish itself from his many other soft spoken scores. Many will say, "Well, it sounds like his music from 'Spitfire Grill,' and it's nothing original anyway." Liars, liars, pants on fire!! Horner includes some chords from "Spitfire Grill," but this score is very much DIFFERENT from the above score -- this is an original score, people!

Second, this is a gentle, delicate, and beautiful score -- very much the opposite from "The Red Violin" score. Bell's solos are incredible throughout the CD -- he is able to play so loudly & yet so softly, too -- incredible!

Congrats, Dr. Horner!

DEFINITELY worth your money!

Dimitri Ntatsos