Snow White and the Huntsman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack]

James Newton Howard, Maya Beiser | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 29, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Universal Republic
• ASIN: B007WFR0R2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,083 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This the the official soundtrack from Snow White & The Huntsman! The score is by James Newton Howard and the album features a new song from Florence + The Machine.

1. Snow White
2. I'll Take Your Throne
3. Tower Prayers
4. Something For What Ails You
5. Escape From The Tower
6. You Failed Me, Finn
7. White Horse
8. Journey To Fenland
9. Fenland In Flames
10. Sanctuary
11. White Hart
12. Gone - Performed By Ionna Gika
13. I Remember That Trick
14. Death Favors No Man
15. Warriors On The Beach
16. You Can Not Defeat Me
17. You Can't Have My Heart
18. Coronation
19. Breath Of Life - Performed By Florence + The Machine

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 82 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars JNH is back with another powerful soundtrack filled with magic and wonder May 29, 2012

By Lady Rue

Format:MP3 Music

Technically, I'd rather give the soundtrack 4.5 stars, but since I can't on Amazon's rating system and I'm just so happy with the soundtrack, I rounded it up to a solid 5.

As a huge James Newton Howard (JNH) fan, I have to admit that I've been rather disappointed with his soundtracks as of late. All of his recent compositions - even the well-crafted Hunger Games - never really achieved the caliber of brilliance that his earlier films were able to so effortlessly emulate. Which is why Snow White and the Huntsman is a chance for JNH to return to form. Howard's best soundtracks tend to be scores that include a touch of fantasy, whether it's the whimsical, fantastic nature of his Disney scores and other fantasy films or the supernatural aspects and magical realism of M. Night Shyamalan's films, JNH is always in his element when he composes for films that are either made for children and/or contain magic. Of course, Snow White and the Huntsman is not a typical children's story. Even the tagline of the film is "this is no fairy tale;" but still, the film is - however loosely - based on a fairy tale story that despite its action scenes, epic battles, and dark magic, still has foundations in the magic and wonder of fairy tales: a story setting that JNH absolutely thrives in.

Clocking in at about an hour in length, the Snow White and the Huntsman soundtrack contains nineteen tracks, including a track by Ioanna Gika and concluding with a song from the British alternative band Florence + the Machine. It's a sizable soundtrack for JNH: four of the tracks are over four minutes in length, with the longest clocking in at almost seven minutes.... Many of the tracks feature a variety of solo instruments, including piano, oboe, harp, violin, and cello, which just makes it all the more appealing.

Snow White and the Huntsman is interesting in that the score has moments that are strikingly musically similar to other JNH scores. The soundtrack is its own entity and stands on its own, but every now and then, there is a bit of music tucked in the middle of a track that sounds like it's almost paying homage to other JNH scores, if you listen for it: chordal progressions similar to The Last Airbender, lilting flute reminiscent of Peter Pan, quiet violin moments from The Village. And it's completely fine. All of the similarities are minor and sometimes rather subtle, and - most importantly - all are derived from classic JNH scores - so definitely no catastrophic Green Lantern tribute. The melody is new and beautiful, JNH just uses his traditional method to create his recognizable style. And it works. My only qualm with this soundtrack is that it lacks the beloved "epic JNH track." Lady in the Water had "The Great Eatlon," The Last Airbender had "Flow Like Water," Blood Diamond had "Soloman Vandy/London," The Village had "Those We Don't Speak Of;" essentially, most of Howard's scores contain a single track that is so gorgeously composed, even people who don't care for soundtracks adore it, as it can only be called epic. Despite this, there are many fantastic tracks that balance out the mediocre ones and that certainly make up for lacking the epic JNH track.

"Snow White" is the perfect first track. Opening with a french horn solo playing the main theme, it changes fluidly to an appropriately magical piano melody with hints of a darker undertone. It had the mystical sound of the quiet and too often understated and under-appreciated Lady in the Water chimes and piano duet, but evolves into something even more with absolutely gorgeous music consisting of powerful cello, sensuous oboe, and darker overtones woven in to create an absolutely stunning opening track that contains power, magic, and the right amount of apprehension and wonder. I have to say, the moment I listened to the first track, I knew that this was the JNH score that I had been longing for for the past few years, confirming that JNH hasn't lost a thing - and more importantly, he's back!

After the opening track, the first few tracks that follow consist mostly of the "evil" music that will be showcased in the film. That being said, none of it is particularly special or worth too much to really note. Mostly consisting of the villain melody, the tend to rely on tremolo strings, horn blasts, and harmonics to make eerie scene music. There aren't any stand out themes or moments that really make them to die for. "I'll Take Your Throne:" contains some menacing, blaring, brazen horns and some violins on harmonics to create an eerie scene that no doubt features the Evil Queen, Ravenna. "Tower Prayers" begins with a similar sound then morphs into a subdued piece with the haunting Snow White melody on piano. "Something for What Ails You" offers a bit of a change. Beginning with a cello solo that is sad, high-pitched, overly legato it weaves in and out of more violin harmonics and general eerie music. But as the soundtrack continues, the tracks get steadily better and better, especially in the middle.

But as opposed to the loud, menacing evil queen tracks, there are quieter tracks as well like "I Remember That Trick" and "Gone," which features vocalist Ioanna Gika and sounds appropriately haunting and sad. "You Failed Me Finn" contains sorrowful cello and violin solos that change from minor to notes of diminished minor to give it an additional edge of tension and building apprehension. Morphing into piano and then orchestra, the track progresses to a singular sad sound to the main Snow White theme. The track "Journey to Fenland" has a subdued sound to it, filled with apprehension and uncertainty that is representative of the journey, until growing into another sorrowful theme with the cello.

The real beauty of the soundtrack is right in the middle where, judging from the track list, most of the magical moments really occur. The middle of Snow White and the Huntsman is where JNH really gets to shine, as he's entirely in his element: the tracks range from quiet and sad, dramatically emotional, and hauntingly magic, which are three of sounds he practically specializes in. It was almost a relief to hear these tracks, as it showed that JNH is still able to make some of the most brilliant and powerful music in the industry - an ability I was sadly beginning to doubt, given the last few scores he composed.

Highlights include:

"Snow White:" hauntingly beautiful tune that invokes the right amount of magic. Begins delicately, but grows into a powerful musical force in true JNH style as chimes, strings, and a cello soloist are layered onto it before evolving into the full "Snow White" theme that echos throughout the film.

"Escape from the Tower:" offers the first action track of the score. Action cues have never been Howard's strong suite and begins predictably with staccato horns and racing drums. Nothing particularly spectacular at first, until you reach the middle of the track. JNH brings in the choir, roving strings, heroic horns - oh, and did I mention the choir? While not a mind-blowing operatic choral arrangement, the choir does give a certain almost epic quality to the track, all by being driven relentlessly forward by the bright, heroic horns and the full strings, making it a truly enjoyable track to listen to.

"Fenland in Flames:" a gorgeous, emotional track with full strings, horn swells, and beautiful minor chordal progressions that is one of the most powerful tracks of the score.

"Sanctuary:" the first truly whimsical track on the soundtrack. Featuring a playful melody, the track contains no notes of danger, only of wonder.

"The White Hart:" is a track that contains beautiful - but diverse - moments of music. The result is a beautiful track that is constantly shifting and moving forward in its building, and that offers almost a bit of a sampler of what the rest of the soundtrack will be. Similar to the opening "Snow White" track and "Sanctuary," but more developed.

"Death Favors No Man:" begins with a minor theme before fading into a quiet and subdued tune that features haunting vocals, chimes and a harp solo, and then grows once again into a triumphant Snow White theme. It took me a few listens to grow on me, but it has its merits.

Snow White and the Huntsman delivers the beautiful, emotional music that we've come to expect from JNH and represents a celebrated return to form for him. By using his traditional methods to create a beautiful theme and hauntingly magical sound while at the same time continuing to cultivate his musical methods, the soundtrack is an absolute joy to listen to. While lacking any singular epic quality tracks that most of JNH's soundtracks tend to, the Snow White and the Huntsman soundtrack is nevertheless a soundtrack that is masterful in its own right and that any JNH fan will want to own. Read more ›

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my new favorites June 1, 2012

By Tom E

Format:Audio CD

I bought the soundtrack after listening to the samples on itunes and after the first minute of the first track, I was blown away by it. I haven't seen the movie, but I think that this was a very well done soundtrack and loved each track!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars His Return is Marked With a Beautiful Score June 5, 2012

By Christopher Price

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

James Newton Howard has proven that he is a great composer; he has memorable scores like "The Village," "Lady in the Water," "I am Legend," and "The Last Airbender" that include songs of action, beauty, sadness, yet still portraying a sense of fullness and coherence to the score. Those wonderful scores were followed by "The Green Lantern" and "The Green Hornet" which were neither memorable nor "good." This score is Howard's second of the year and it gives me hope for his future. This score contains the beauty that we have been missing, which are included in the songs "Snow White" and "Sanctuary" as well as the great action cues he was known to create: "I Remember That Trick"and parts of "You Can Not Defeat Me." The score has a very simple theme that at times reminds me of "The Village" or "Lady in the Water" stylistically. For example, the song "Snow White" opens with a piano piece that has a similar sound to "Lady in the Water"'s "Prologue." Even though it may sound similar to other Howard works at times, this score definitely stands on its own with a theme and set of dark pieces that give us the dark view of the fairy tale land the movie is about. The combination of darkness and beauty creates a thematic diversity throughout the album. The best of the songs are "Snow White," "Something For What Ails You," "You Failed Me Finn," "Warriors on the Beach," and White Hart." This score is the best I have heard so far this year and is definitely worth buying, especially if you are a fan of Howard's Shayamalan scores.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome! June 14, 2012

By Laura

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

James Newton Howard is an amazing composer and I LOVE his work!! This is just another great score soundtrack to add to the list!!! Definitely recommend! It's just a bonus that there is a Florence and the Machine song on here that's AMAZING :) :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Moody music June 5, 2012

By Jan S.

Format:MP3 Music

The film was certainly enhanced by the soundtrack, but my feeling is that it doesn't work as much as a stand alone album. I have several of Howard's soundtracks and have listened to them over the years. I'm not sure how often this one will be played by itself. There are some great moments, but not quite a 5-star for me.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars And great soundtrack January 5, 2013

By Bradley H.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's a great soundtrack and if you don't like score then the song by Florence and The machine is worth it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PHENOMONAL!!!!! June 22, 2012

By J. Wells

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

i AM ALL caught up with Snow White and the Huntsman. The preview are incredible as are the special effects!!!. So I purchased the soundtrack and am just BLOWN AWAY!!! Especially Tracks 12 & 19, the songs. Florence and the Machine, singing Breath of Life is just too dramatic and powerful!!!!! I can't say enough about this soundtrack. Will go see film and buy DVD when it comes out. Just a GREAT value!!! Fantastic music!!!! The Amazon price was the BEST anywhere so I bought it on their site! Highly recommend!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD! June 7, 2012

By P. Bales

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Reflective of the dark moments in this movie. I had the volume cranked and the drums woke up my dogs and made them bark, which was quite funny. The french horn is superb.