Customer Reviews

Summon The Heroes

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I am writing the review, the 2004 Olympic Games are underway and the thrill and excitement that is as much a part of the Olympics as the events themselves will be sweeping the world. The Olympics have a way of making so many of us, even those of us who are not athletes, see our world from a larger perspective. The music that evokes the Olympics likewise has to be larger than life. The music in this collection could be characterized as larger than life, and the Boston Pops Orchestra, under the baton of John Williams, brings out the largesse of the various tracks.

I purchased this collection primarily for the various Olympic themes of John Williams. This collection contains the first recording of Williams' 1988 NBC Olympic theme and listeners will quickly see that the earlier recording of the work was excerpted. Williams' music always sounds more majestic when he conducts it, and the Boston Pops is more than at home performing his music. The collection also has classical music of Olympian proportions such as "O Fortuna" from CARMINA BURANA, "Toward a New Life" by Dvorak's son in law Joseph Suk, and Shostakovich's FESTIVE OVERTURE. There is also film music included: "The Parade of the Charioteers" from BEN HUR and the main theme from CHARIOTS OF FIRE. Each track is performed well and lives up to the standards expected of this great orchestra and conductor.

In a time when our world can seem so troubled, the Olympics reminds of what our best can be. At times we need to be reminded of what the best in our world can be, this collection can help our spirits soar.

This album by John William and the Boston Pops is fantastic. It appeals across musical boundaries. Even those who do not usually listen to classical music will find it enjoyable. The title track is the first one on this CD and sets up a grandiose atmosphere. Then comes "O Fortuna," which conjures up the images of ancient heroes and battles and the coming storm of competition. There are twelve tracks in all, and the final one, "The Olympic Spirit" is transcendental. It has been played on classical music radio stations across the country over and over again. And rightly so. This is a wonderful album to listen to on any given day.

I am a high school runner. Let me tell you, I have been looking for a good inspirational CD for a very long time to listen to before I run. This is the CD. I first heard the music on this CD while watching the Olympics in 1996, then "Summon the Heroes" was in the movie "Without Limits" in 1998 (which by the way is my favorite movie). This CD is VERY inspirational. It has most of the music used by NBC in the Olympics. The best tracks are Williams' "Summon the Heroes" and the "Olympic Theme". It also has the immortal "Chariots of Fire" theme in it. If you are a runner and need some music to help you get motivated, get this CD. If you just love music, get this CD. I have goals to make the Olympic team in 2004 for Athens. I will give it my best effort, and the music in this CD is definately going to help.

I cannot heap enough praise upon this CD. To put it succinctly, I think it captures the feeling of the Olympics better than the actual Olympics do. Lots and lots of John Williams on this CD (the composer, not the guitarist... how many other people have mistakenly bought a CD by John Williams the guitarist?), which was an excellent move. From the opening strains of his 1996 composition "Summon the Heroes" we listeners are transported to a world far removed from our own, a world where epic feats are routine and glory and honor are everywhere. This CD is valuable just because it contains all of Williams' Olympic music, but the real treat is the other selections: they match and even exceed the power of his compositions. "O Fortuna" is a classic, of course, and "Chariots of Fire" captures better than any other piece, I think, the feelings evoked by Olympian athletes. The Boston Pops Orchestra combines its usual pinpoint precision with its usual highly-charged emotive quality; it's up to the task of playing epic music. In particular, this CD has the best rendition of Shostakovich's "Festive Overture" I've ever heard, itself a fabulous inclusion. Are you getting my point yet? Buy this CD! Now! The true strength of the Olympics lie in their ability to connect spectators to something a little bit higher and more exalted than themselves; the same is true of this CD.

When I first listened to this album, I was in awe of the beauty and grandness of the music composed/performed by John Williams. John can make composing music an exalted art. His music is purely genius and captures the ideas of the album in which the score is in. Back to the album . . . it is AWESOME! This includes many well-known songs but also many undiscovered treasures. Of the twelve songs, I especially enjoyed:
Track One-Summon the Heroes
Track Three-Bugler's Dream/Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Track Twelve-The Olympic Spirit
Bottom Line: BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!! A TREASURE!!!!!

John Williams as in many of his film scores has brought the spirit and heroics of the games in this album. His composition of the same name as the album is inspirational. The melodies are excellent. As a musician I was very impressed with the complexities of the music. The collection on the album is an excellent selection of music modern and classical.

I admit, at the outset, that I am a sucker for this kind of stuff. I also admit that I am not generally fond of the edgy, brash sound of the trumpet (as least, the way it is most often played.)
But this is something else again. The real heroes of this recording are the brass players of the Boston Symphony. This is, without doubt, the finest brass playing I have ever heard. The section work is amazing. The massed triple-tongueing is awesome. And their first chair trumpet, Tim Morrison, is without peer: in execution, intonation and heart...this guy is a monster.
The program is also varied and interesting. Seldom-heard pieces by Shostakovich and Leonard Bernstein and Theodorakis combine with terrific, "pure hollywood" stuff by Williams that defines what heroic music ought to sound like. This is simply dazzling. Get it. Enjoy. And TURN IT UP .... LOUD!
One caveat : it sure would have been nice to have printed librettos, as well as the puffery, to accompany the vocal pieces (being a chorister, I am unusually interested in that).

After reading all of the reviews written ahead of mine, I have noticed something that all have them have failed to mention, Tim Morrison. His playing on Summon the Heroes is amazing. He is easily one of the best lyrical trumpet players in the world. John Williams wrote Summon the Heroes with his abilities in mind, and Tim Morrison plays his part better than anyone else could. The rest of the CD is amazing. It is one of my favorite recordings of Festive Overture. This is a must have CD for people who enjoy powerful, patriotic sounding music.

This cd contains some of the best most inspirational music I have heard. I personally think the best track is "Towards a New Life". Trust me and buy this cd.

John Williams proves he still has the Right Stuff. With this album, Williams proves he is the master of modern classical music. The fanfares and marches are soul-stirring, and the Olympic Themes are a good reminder of what the Olympics mean to the world. If you're not careful, you might find yourself marching around your cubicle when you listen to this.