Mr. Holland's Opus: Original Motion Picture Score [Soundtrack]

Michael Kamen (Artist), Seattle Symphony Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000004295
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,273 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Mild, Lovingly Respectful but Dissenting Voice, April 21, 2002

By 

Enrique Sanchez "CubanBach" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Holland's Opus: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

Mr. Holland's Opus is a movie close to many of us Classical fans because it successfully bridges the world of "now" with the world of "then".

I love all of the tracks and you could say that the whole is wonderful experience in light of its wonderful melding into the storyline which has endeared many of us since the movie came out.

Having said that, I guess I should be the responsibly sober informer. I am surprised that no one has yet mentioned the following:

Doesn't it seem quite evident to those of us who know the 4th movement of Brahms 1st Symphony and the R. Strauss 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' that Michael Kamen's "American Symphony" actually lifts quite noticeable snippets from these two works?

Not even to mention the Beatles ending chord of "Day in the Life" which comprises the last chord of "Mr. Holland's American Symphony".

I suppose I am not as concerned by the Beatles as I am with the Brahms and Richard Strauss score-lifts.

All I am saying is that Kamen, though he made a very admirable use of historical references (mostly of the Brahms theme), has not come out to explain why he did this in the first place?

Sometimes it is better when the Emperor says he has no clothes before the little boy in the crowd says so.

It clears the air and makes more friends.

Let's give credit where credit is due.

Final decision: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED with nit-picking reservations. :)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Holland Opus, August 28, 2009

By 

R. Rollman (Indian River, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mr. Holland's Opus: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

I would have rated this a 5 star except for them having left out Jean Louisa Kelly's song "Someone to Watch Over Me".
Other wise it is a 5 star. I don't know why they left it out.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating and Throbbing, February 23, 2002

By 

Matthew M. Yau "Voracious reader" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Holland's Opus: Original Motion Picture Score (Audio CD)

The motion picture Mr. Holland Opus released two soundtracks. The movie soundtrack contains popular rocks from the movie and this current review concerns the much awaited original scores.

I have to say this music score CD captured my heart as soon as the first track "Mr. Holland Begins" played and accompanied Richard Dreyfuss' memories. The spotlighted track is "American Symphony." The unabridged version of "American Beauty" is recorded to satisfy fans' craving from the ending of film. A beautiful reprise "New Baby/Coltrane/Children Should Listen to Mozart" is also recorded in the score.

The recording also includes some of the most emotional and dramatic pieces like "Cole's Tune", "Thank You Mr. Holland", and "Cole's Song". My favorite of all is "Cole's Song" - an expression of fatherly love. Too bad the CD doesn't include the original version of the song when Richard Dreyfuss actually performed in the film. Overall Michael Kamen had brought us the most captivating and throbbing original music score in Mr. Holland Opus.