The Snowman [Soundtrack, Import]

Howard Blake | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 16, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack, Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B0000277CK
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,411 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic release of a great soundtrack, December 6, 2007

By 

Spark (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snowman (Audio CD)

It'd been years since I'd seen or heard this movie. We used to have the movie on VHS and the soundtrack on vinyl, so you can imagine how much I've seen and heard it in this digital age.

This 25 year anniversary CD is everything I hoped it would be. Given that it is a soundtrack to a short film, all the music here really only come to 25 minutes. The first half of the CD is the story narrated over the music (synchronized, of course) and the second half is the stand-alone score. Both times "Walking in the Air" appears on the CD, it is sung by the boy, Peter Auty.

The music itself embodies the mystery of Christmas better than any other music I've heard. It's not very often music brings tears to my eyes, but this CD did it. You'll find the best music is from the second half of the film, especially dancing in the boy's playroom, riding the motorbike, "Walking in the Air", and the snowman dance.

In short, this CD is a must in any Christmas music collection!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless classic makes for a wonderful listening experience., September 15, 2006

By 

Press (No. California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snowman (Audio CD)

If you're reading this, you already know what a joy the animated classic, The Snowman, is. Released in the early 1980s, this beautifully animated short film, based on the children's book by Raymond Briggs, was made all the more enjoyable by the imaginative and lovely soundtrack that accompanied it. Written by Howard Blake (Violin Concerto "The Leeds"), the music follows the animation very closely as there are no words in the film. But this CD is just as enjoyable as the film, even mandatory, if not just for the chance to add "Walking On Air" to one's music collection. This hauntingly beautiful piece alone is a compelling reason to purchase this CD. This song has been recorded by the likes of George Winston; heavy metal/opera band Nightwish; Celtic Woman; Kevin Bowyer; and Placido Domingo. But none can compare to the original, sung by "Boy Singer" Peter Autry, found on this CD.

As a bonus, the CD is tracked in such a way that you can listen to "The Story of the Snowman" with narration by Bernard Cribbins, or, more enjoyable in my opinion, without narration. You can sit back and close your eyes and enjoy the music and it's nuances, or let your mind replay the story in your head as you imagine the boy waking-up to build the snowman; the playful interaction in the boy's house; the motorbike ride through the forest; the flight to The North Pole; and the heartrending ending. In both versions, "Walking in the Air" is offered just like in the film; seamlessly segued within the soundtrack. Additionally, you could play the song by itself by selecting track 5.

The CD boasts excellent sound quaity and a nice little illustrated booklet.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you really want it...at a fair price, November 25, 2006

By 

Agape "Squonk" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snowman (Audio CD)

First of all, this is fabulous music and enhances the book in a marvelous way. However, don't, please don't, pay those ridiculous prices from the offers on this site, namely $48. Just order it from amazon.uk.co and get it shipped airmail for around $13.00 total, new. That's what I did, it's very hard to find in the U.S. Check with your credit card company for their surcharge (mine only charges 2% for the conversion, or about 27-cents).

You won't be disappointed: wonderful music and presentation. As a primary teacher who reads "The Snowman" and shows the video to many classes during the Christmas season, this CD will come in handy as a triple-header for the little ones. I've never seen children so fascinated with both the book and the video! It's an integral part of my teaching since it opens up their imaginations in a multitude of ways (they simply can't understand why there are no words in the book, so I ask them to tell the story as they see it, with my help of course; works very well).

I encourage all teachers to get all three: book, video DVD, and the CD (cheaply, of course direct from the UK). Why the U.S. amazon doesn't carry this item is beyond me. Poor marketing in my opinion.