The Magnificent Seven [SOUNDTRACK]

Elmer Bernstein (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0001MZ81S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,304 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The robust main theme from Elmer Bernstein's orchestral Western masterpiece quickly outgrew its source material to become one of the most memorable musical advertising hooks of all time, and then an international pops concert staple. But despite its status as American cultural icon and the stuff of film scoring legend, Bernstein's original soundtrack to John Sturges' landmark Western remake of The Seven Samurai ironically didn't see an official release for nearly 40 years (and then only briefly). Now back in print with new notes, Elmer's epochal soundtrack retains its place as one of the all-time greats, a tribute to both Bernstein's sly scoring genius (watch the film without sound and one will quickly see how Elmer drives its otherwise lackadaisical pacing relentlessly forward) and his accomplished, ever inquisitive training as a classical composer. The touchstone here is early Bernstein mentor Aaron Copland, but Elmer also wisely turns to the Mexican folk motifs that inspired much of the former's own landmark concert and ballet pieces. Though Bernstein has often wryly credited Copland with an assist, it's indeed pure Elmer -- and a dazzling example of how the student can sometimes gratifyingly outclass the master. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
Japanese pressing of 1960 soundtrack composed by Elmer Bernstein, starring Yul Brynner & Steve McQueen and directed by John Sturges. Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Varese. 2004 --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Assuredly One of the Best Scores Ever Composed, April 26, 2004

By	gobirds2 (New England) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Elmer Bernstein's score for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is an innovative and groundbreaking score ringing in a new era not only for the Western film genre but for all film music. Elmer Bernstein's main theme for THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN besides being highly recognizable is both rousing and reflective. It is a statement on the nature of bravery and nobility as the seven gunmen go up against innumerable odds for the rights of the downtrodden. The score is pensive yet contains great orchestral movement which not only advances the plot but entices the viewer to become enthralled in the drama. Bernstein infuses both traditional Western and Mexican orchestral flavor into the score, yet rearranges these styles to deliver the adventure and human drama of the tale. However, most importantly Bernstein asks the viewer by the film's finale to fathom the enigma of bravery and self-sacrifice of these seven noble gunmen. This recording is one of a handful of soundtracks that should be classified as essential.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Hollywood's last great scores, December 4, 2004

By	Gene DeSantis (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Some film scores are simply better than their films. It's been a while since I've seen "The Magnificent Seven" -- on television -- and I can only recall a big, lumbering, pale imitation of its source, the great "Seven Samurai," one of the most exciting movies ever. But in a key respect the Americans bettered the Japanese, with breathtakingly evocative music. If Elmer Bernstein pays homage to Copland -- quite a bit of it (and to Prokofiev, de Falla and Ravel too) he nonetheless weaves it into dramatically effective work identifiably his own. As one would expect with the author of "The Man with the Golden Arm" he is especially inventive in his use of guitar and percussion. Of course the main attraction is that leitmotif, the main-title theme (repeated six or seven times -- no problem when you get the goose bumps each time). The Philip Morris folks dumbed it down to sell Marlboros, and too many people surely think the score a mere excuse for a jingle. Removed from considerations of lung cancer and heart disease that theme is still one of the best. In its own odd way it suggests the pop music of the time -- one can hear Gene Pitney singing it (as he did the Bacharach-David tune "The Man who Shot Liberty Valance," a brazen but enjoyable copy), or Herb Alpert appropriating it several years later for his pop-mariachi sound -- and that only heightens the interest. No, this score is far more than ad music. This is a masterpiece.

Quite decent sound through speakers. In reviews of Rykodisc's initial release a number of people complained of distortion, and one mentioned tape hiss, and though the defects are vaguely audible -- you can hear the hiss fading out before the music -- there is no substituting for the authentic soundtrack ambience here.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent Seven Soundtrack Returns, June 1, 2004

By	kametamorphic "ametamorphic" (East Haven) - See all my reviews

It looked like the soundtrack to "The Magnificent Seven" would never return. But it has! This is the original version from the 1960 movie. It looked like we would never see it again when the Ryko CD went out of print. This is an esential score. Glad to have it back.