Customer Reviews

Restoration: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture Soundtrack

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I have actually never seen the movie "Restoration," but stumbled across the soundtrack some years ago. I have since given it as a gift to every classical music nut I know.

The soundtrack to "Restoration" is an uncannily seamless blend of orchestral and chamber music (mostly Henry Purcell) with the modern-day scoring of the peerless James Newton Howard. Purcell's "King Arthur" and "The Fairy Queen" are used here, and Howard melds his work with Purcell's so beautifully that I think somewhere in heaven, Purcell must be smiling down at Howard.

It's an astonishing soundtrack, filled with gorgeous music that suggests floral tapestries, lutists wandering through a grassy field, richly appointed thrones, crowned heads, corseted ladies and bewigged gentlemen, but most of all, an urgency implied by love and ardor. It's just magnificent. One of these days, I've got to see the movie!

Well, I've found a yet another use for Latin. This music is without question Most Beautiful to Hear. I love the movie Restoration. It is so visually stunning I would watch it all the time if I could. The same came be said for the soundtrack. This is the first time I have ever been struck by the music while watching a movie. The music is full of emotion and spirit. If you've never heard it, I pity you, and if you don't like it, I'm concerned about you! Everyone get this CD,it is the best that will ever be (with the exception of The Four Seasons). Et quid agitis hodie?

The music of this film stayed with me long after the movie was over. It is one of the most moving soundtracks I have ever heard. You will not be disappointed.

RESTORATION was an amazing film of passion and great beauty.What made the film so aesthetically pleasing was the well researched choices of period "Restoration Era" music. As the theatres had been closed for quite some time, the reign of Charles 11 to the English Throne brought a restoration of the Arts to Britain.The primary composer for the theatre at that time would have been Henry Purcell.His successes with his plays such as "The Fairy Queen","The Indian Queen" and "The Gordian Knot Untied" and "Dido and Aeneas" yielded some amazingly beautiful music.James Newton Howard, who composed the original score for RESTORATION, has based his music on the haunting themes of Purcell, while also including Purcell's work within the body of the film. There are 31 sublime tracts of authentic and originally conceived pieces that make up this magnificent CD that is conceived out of the film's opulence.For Baroque Music lovers, RESTORATION is a veritable feast for the ears.Also recommended soundtracks of similar greatness are MARQUISE and ALL THE MORNINGS OF THE WORLD.

With Snow falling on Cedars, he entranced me. With Dinosaur, he amazed me. But despite these precedents, in his score for Restoration, James Newton Howard managed to astonish me again. He has created some incredible Baroque-esqe music, sounding somewhat akin to Trevor Jones' score for Gulliver's Travels. The powerful recurring theme, best heard in 'The Fire', must be one of the best themes of film music, and, though it pops up often, never becomes repetitive. James Newton Howard's original music puts the likes of Purcell, which it is buried amongst, to shame. The best track must be 'The Cabinet Of Curiosities'. A splendid score.

Delighted to get this CD; I've been looking for it a long time. Vendor response was excellent. Would definitely use them again. Item packed well.

The soundtrack from the film 'Restoration' is a wonderful interpretation by contemporary composer James Newton Howard of the baroque sensibilities of England during the restoration of Charles I. There are 31 selections on the CD, of which 9 are the works of Henry Purcell, 1 is the work of Marin Marais, and the other 21 selections are by James Newton Howard. The 9 selections from Henry Purcell include work from his "Fairy Queen", "King Arthur", and "The Indian Queen". Notice that it was then in fashion to have composers write music about monarchy. Prior to the restoration of Charles I, puritan dictator Cromwell ruled England and outlawed most secular music and all theater. Thus with the restoration of Charles I we see an out bursting creativity as evidenced by the elegant works of Henry Purcell. We really know very little about Purcell other than in a three year period of production he produced 1,000 compositions. He died at age 35 like Mozart. He is buried in Westminster Abbey next to Vaughn Williams. He is a mysterious genius but his music is exactly what would have been heard in the court of Charles I, William and Mary, and Queen Anne. James Newton Howard's compositions follow a few basic musical themes on which he has created variations depending on the dramatic scenes in the film that they accompany. However this does not really distract from the soundtrack since there is a blending of the works that makes the distinctions between tracks seem to melt into each other. Howard's ability to compliment Purcell's elegance and graceful work is to be commended.

I love this CD! The movie is great too. My favorite tracks are 27-"The Fire", 9-"The Wedding",and 2-"Main Titles". The whole score is great! I bought this without seeing the movie and the CD did well on its own. When I finally saw the movie a week later, the score was even better when it was in the film.