Customer Reviews

Mr. Holland's Opus: Original Motion Picture Score

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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All I am saying is that Kamen, though he made a very admirable use of historical references (mostly of the Brahms theme), has not come out to explain why he did this in the first place?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

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.

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.

I have owned the cassette tape of Mr. Hollands Opus for 3+ years and can't wait to own the C.D. version. I have listened to it on road trips as well in my home and never get tired of it. I also own the movie as well and everytime I listen to the soundtrack, I can identify the music with each scene. I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in the movie.

Words can't truly describe the power, emotion and depth of the music on this album - if you've seen the film, this is the soundtrack to get. It contains the full version of 'An American Symphony', which grows in statue until the final 3 minutes which is the 'symphony' from the ending of the film, (I dare you to listen to it without the hairs on the back of your neck rising!). 'Cole's Song' is a masterpiece - both the instrumental and vocal versions while the opening track evokes so many memories of Richard Dreyfuss in the title sequence. These, together with the other tracks, make for a truly FANTASTIC soundtrack album !

Michael Kamen is great when he is composing music for action or heroic movies. In fact, he's got the chops to compose the kind of music that John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith can write, as he demonstrated in "Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves" and "The Three Musketeers". Let's add another title in his oevre that may fit into this category, and that might be "Mr. Holland's Opus".

The title that opens this CD, 'Mr Holland Begins', is truly remarkable. Listening to it touches a lot, especially when you see Richard Dreyfuss as Mr. Holland at work at the beginning of the movie. And the concert arrangement called 'An American Symphony' is a great masterpiece that goes high in feelings, showcasing something truly epic. Truly outstanding.

Then, why the 3 stars I'm giving to it? The rest of the music, especially in the dramatic moments, lacks the emotions given by the two aforementioned tracks. Sometimes, they are so dull that makes you wonder if Mr. Kamen used all his feelings in the epic part of this CD. I could make an exception with 'Practice, Practice, Practice', but that's it.

This is one of the best CDs I own. It has many wonderful classical songs, along with an amazing last track my Julian Lennon. Cole's Song is definitely the best on this album. It sums up the entire movie, and is inspiring and amazingly written.

this is a great soundtrack, it is fun and enjoyable to listen to. the best songs on this cd are all of them. if you have not listened to this cd then i recommend you do

I purchased both CD's hoping to find the song "Someone to watch over me". One of the CD's had the song, BUT did NOT have the same person who sang the song on the movie. Thevoice was completely different.

Every now and then, a film score comes along that is so exceptional, it can stand independent of the film as a brilliant piece of music. "Mr Holland's Opus" is one of those rarities. It runs the gamut of emotions, from quiet reflective melodies, to bombastic orchestra showpieces. (Just try to listen to "An American Symphony" without cranking up the volume. This track, the highlight of the CD, is meant to be played LOUD!) Why this work was NOT nominated for a "Best Score" Academy Award is beyond me; it was certainly deserving of it. This particular CD is not to confused with the "soundtrack" album. That album features only the songs heard in the film, and contains only a partial recording of "An American Symphony", heard in it's entirety on this CD. This is definitely the better of the two.