Customer Reviews

The Prince Of Egypt: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(148)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie came out several years ago, and I still relish listening to the soundtrack today, particularly tracks 2, 7, 8, 12, 14 and 15. I am not a fan of the junky contemporary stuff they stuck on there, but you don't have to listen to it anyway.

Here's a review of my favorite tracks.

Track 2 begins softly, for the intro of the movie. Then WHOMP, Israelites slaving in the desert. Incredible music. It perfectly fits the scene: a mighty people straining to be free. The all-male choir for the Israelites is perfect, as are the lyrics. And having some of the singing in Hebrew, brilliant. The music softens for Yechebed's lullaby to Moses, intensifies as the floating cradle encounters the dangers of the Nile, and softens again as the crib is found safe by Pharaoh's daughter. It swells again into the male choir praying to God on High for...Deliverance.

Track 7 is an excellent track sung by Jethro (and no, NOT the Clampets') to Moses about his (or anybody's) meaning in life, whether he knows it or not.

Track 8 is beyond words. It's truly like the very music of Heaven is playing, a celestial choir singing the most awesome tune in the world. If any tune on earth could contain God's glory, this one could. This track alone is worth the price.

Track 14 begins slowly and builds as the Israelites are set free, and Miriam and Zipporah sing of the miracles God provided for them. A great little in-the-middle part, the Israeli children sing a praise song to Jehovah in Hebrew, which peaks in the chorus of Miracles.

Track 15 is another spectacular track. If you've ever wondered what the music could be when God divides waters for His people, this is pretty close! Another track worth listening to.

Disappointingly, the soundtrack does NOT include the score for the chariot race towards the beginning of the movie. That was a mistake not to put it on the disc.

Whether you believe in God, Moses, or the Bible or not, this is an awesome CD to buy.

The Prince Of Egypt is an animated movie soundtrack and as such it is replete with songs, but unlike most other animated soundtracks, The Prince Of Egypt contains much of Hans Zimmer's understated score. THe songs are fine and some are interesting, but Hans Zimmer's score is exceptional. While many of his scores are action oriented, Zimmer combines the exotic sounds of the Middle East with an inspiring score. His theme for God is one of the most beautiful that Zimmer has ever written. The only complaint I have is that the cd producers could have written off the contemporary versions of the movie songs at the end and added more score.

This is one of my favorite soundtrack/scores of all time. First of all, the movie is absolutely incredible, and is my favorite animated movie (along with Iron Giant). The soundtrack is equally great. The thing about this soundtrack, is the songs are actually extremely good. They all go well with the film, have great lyrics, and catchy beats. My personal favorite are the film version of "When you Believe" and "The Plagues". Every song from the film is wonderful. Unfortunately, the songs by the pop singers are horribly weak in comparison, but it's never hard to press the skip button a couple times. But as good as the songs are on this album, the definate highlight is the score. Hans Zimmer has outdone himself, creating one of my all time favorite scores. The music goes perfectly with the film, and every score track on the album is excellent. Two of the best tracks I've ever heard, The Red Sea and The Burning Bush, are so grand and beautiful you can't imagine. Only once has Zimmer provided a better score (The Thin Red Line), but this is so extremely close behind it. If you are a film score fan, you must own this cd, even if you are against songs on soundtracks. This is Zimmer in top form, and if you pass it up you will be missing so much. Even friends who aren't the biggest Zimmer fans believe this is his one brilliant work. Grab it now, and you will be listening to it for many, many years to come.

I have so much love for this CD, it's a little embarrassing. The songs and music are so beautiful and captivating. My personal favorites are "Deliver Us" the movie version of "When You Believe" and "Burning Bush." The vocals are fabulous, and I think it's adorable when the children sing in "When You Believe." I listen to the singing tracks when I'm in a mood to be energized. However, the beautiful music in "Burning Bush" and "Red Sea" as well are excellent. I listen to this album almost every night before bed, not because it's boring, but because I find it very 'centering.' I am not a fan of the music included that was not from the moive, but it's not terrible, and it doesn't detract from the CD as a whole. A 5-star CD if there ever was one.

This soundtrack was amazing! It was so powerful and inspiring. I strongly urge you to buy it! I could not get over how much it meant to me. I cried and sang and it was the most wonderful cd I ever bought. My dads a music critict and said that this was the best soundtrack he had ever listened to. He said it was a fully moving sound track that people of any age would enjoy. He also said that it had gotten the best reviews hed ever seen. My parents recently split up and it really tore me apart. When I felt down I would play my CD and It would take all the pain away. This Soundtrack is truly amazing and a great CD adition to your collection,

My children and I loved the movie "The Prince of Egypt," due in part to this outstanding soundtrack. This music will move you in ways that will take you by surprise and make you shiver! All the songs are brilliantly written by Stephen Schwartz, and wonderfully performed for the film, but there are several standout tracks: "Deliver Us" combines the plight of the israelite slaves, who are waiting for release from bondage, with the sad yet hopeful lullaby of a mother (sung by the INCREDIBLE Ofra Haza) who gives up her child in hope of a better life for him. The middle eastern flavor of the melodies and the strong vocals make this a strong and moving song. Our hands-down favorite track is "When You Believe" (the version sung in the movie). This song will have you crying, laughing, praising and dancing! The hebrew prayer sung by children's voices build up to a blockbuster ending that still gives me chills each time I hear it. My choir is singing "When You Believe" this year, and I'll be lucky if I can sing it without crying. The score by Hans Zimmer is also very powerful.
Michelle Pfeiffer, Martin Short and Steve Martin do a nice job singing their characters' parts. The pop version of "When You Believe" sung by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston is done with an R&B twist; other stars on the soundtrack CD include Amy Grant and Boys II Men. Overall, the pop versions are merely interesting compared to the riveting songs and score from the actual film. Even if you have not seen the movie, this CD is well worth a listen, and likely to become a favorite!

The Prince of Egypt CD is perhaps the most wonderful movie music in at least a dozen years. This, the original version, is the best of the three different versions of the movie soundtract.

The quality of the songs and the vocals is outstanding. Mariah Carey gives one of her best singing performances ever. The quality of her singing was no doubt elevated by the presence of the greatest of female vocalists - 1. Ofra Haza, and 2. Whitney
Houston ...(in that order). I believe Ofra Haza did much to spread the music on this CD around the world by singing her three songs in many ( 26 ? ) different languages. Some of the other singers performed in multiple languages as well.

The soundtract stands up well on its own even without having first seen the movie. However, for a true and full appreciation of this soundtract, you must watch the movie. You will want to see the movie and listen to the soundtract more than once. The Prince of Egypt is NOT just a movie and music for children. The movie and the music are both major achievements, masterworks by a large group of dedicated professionals. Most children probably will not fully appreciate the depth and beauty of the music. It is worthy of many multiple listenings. When Ofra Haza with her soaring,
beautiful vocals sings "Deliver Us," that alone is worth the price of the CD. Steve Martin on "Playing With the Big Boys" is a gas. The Pince of Egypt CD is loaded with beautiful and inspiring music.

There is certainly something for everyone in this soundtrack from pop songs, to film songs, to score. The pop songs come from Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston, Brian Stokes Mitchell, K-Ci & JoJo, Amy Grant, and Boyz II Men. The best song of them all comes from Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston called "When You Believe" which got a lot of radio air time. The songs that were sung in the film were written by Stephen Schwartz and are all good songs that compliment the score perfectly, especially "Deliver Us". The score is composed by veteran Hans Zimmer and his trademark high octane style is present throughout. He uses a 3 note theme played by the brass and synths, along with the choir in "Burning Bush" and "Red Sea". "The Reprimand" contains an Egyptian dance sequence played by unique middle eastern instruments. Great orchestral music is featured in "Goodbye Brother" and a cello solo is featured in "Death of the First Born". I wish that there was a separate album for songs and score and that there was much more score present than this. The score only runs about 25 minutes and the rest are songs. Even so, a great soundtrack that is a joy to listen to throughout and will not bore you to death, considering the various different musical selections given.

This music made the film what it was! The blend of the culture and rythm in the score and the moving lyrics in the songs can bring out emotion. The film-version of "When You Believe" is awe-inspiring. I must admit, though. The Carey-Houston version is getting VERY annoying. Even if you don't nkow the story of Exodus, this is a brilliant portrayal, but don't use it as a true source of the Bible. It isn't. It has been changed slightly for family audiences and for viewing pleasure. For instance, Moses didn't flee, Ramesses banished him because of his greed and jealousy. That isn't in the film. But, I am writing on behalf of the music, not the film. The song "The Plagues" is mystifying. Ralph Fiennes and Amick Byram's voices really blend. the strong, arrogantly stubborn voice of Fiennes is a clear indication of whom he portrays, you don't need the "I will not let your people go" to know that. Byram's pleading, yet equally stubborn voice also lets you know who is presenting his views. You don't need a "Let my people go" for that, either. The intensity builds from the whispers of death i the beginning right up until its climax when Fiennes and Byram simultaneously end their oral struggle. It is magic. As it is plainly obvious, this is my favorite track out of the songs, and overal the best on the CD. But it is too short. However, I fear if it was longer, it would lose its urgency. The best score piece is probably "The Death of the First Born". It is eerie, and gets the message across. It fits the sequence in the film it plays during perfecty. It adds to the suspense and horror, and isn't painfully obvious, like in DeMille's Biblically-perfect film. Other definite pluses in the cd is the film and pop version of "Through Heavens Eyes". And the film-version of "When You Believe". "Deliver Us" is simply moving. "Playing With the Big Boys" lacks the intense drama of the other pieces, but the music is something else. In other words, don't cut out the vocals on your stereo in the complete dark. BUY THIS CD

What a wonderful soundtrack. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five is all of the pop songs. They just don't seem to fit with the rest of the albumn, which is beautiful. This albumn really transports you back to this time--better than any soundtrack before. The songs bring out so many emotions, especially the movie version of "if you believe". Definitely a favorite of mine.

Take my advice...skip the pop songs!