Customer Reviews

Superman: The Movie (1998 Re-recording)

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

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this 2-CD set. The music needs no introduction anywhere in the world. The audio quality of this 1998 recording surpasses what could be captured in 1978 when the original recording was made. The liner notes are a pleasure to read.

I'd also like to correct an error made by a previous reviewer: the total running length of this set is 82 minutes 10 seconds, which *cannot* be accomodated on a single CD. The producers originally planned a single CD release, but when it turned out that the music as recorded ran a few minutes too long, the decision was made to create a 2-CD set. In hindsight, it's unfortunate that they didn't know from the start that there would be room for extra pieces, but even so the selections included make a full and satisfying experience. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra was definitely up to the task. It's terrific.

John Williams' excellent score for "Superman" was a landmark in film music. With the help of soundtracks such as "Jaws", "Star Wars", and "E.T.", Williams is known as the composer who brought orchestral music back into style. During the 70's, music was taking a path directly away from the orchestral style of music, and I would say if it weren't for John Williams, orchestral film music would no longer exist. (We really ought to give John Williams a lot of credit for the favor he did for those who still stick with the true form of music) Every word that describes highly entertaining and inspiring music will fit "Superman." This particular release of "Superman" was performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and was conducted by John Debney. (I think this release conducted my John Debney is excellent. After hearing his score for "Cutthroat Island", I think that anything under his name is worth getting) I would think that calling "Superman" the "King of March Music" would be an appropriate title. The main theme (at least) is all about the marching kind of music. This soundtrack will never cease to give a surprise and fill you with excitement. The main theme from "Superman" starts with bold brass instruments, introducing the sequel of long, inspiring music to come. The theme is then repeated, this time by more brass instruments. Snare drums in the background can be heard quietly growing louder, and a sudden build up in the orchestra hits a high point, and then quickly backs off, followed by a quiet arrangement for the woodwinds and strings. After their part is finished, their is a short moment of silence. Suddenly, strings slowly begin to play repeated low notes, gaining speed as they progress. The strings then proceed to once again blend into the fantastic Superman theme. For the next minute, their is an exciting duel between quiet moments and swift anthems. Four minutes into this track, the music really begins to bring itself out. After a change in key, the strings swiftly play their background melody as brass once again announce the main theme. From this point to the end of the track, you'll be wondering just how John Williams is able to compose such stunning music. The main theme ends with an excellent grand finally, where the entire orchestra is in full gear, and ends on one note. As far as the different releases of "Superman" is concerned, their is no real difference between this release and its original two CD release. (The only thing I can think of is that the Rhino release probably has better sound quality, since being released just recently) It's simply a matter of decision, and your choice on the orchestra you prefer (Well, I take that back. The other release of "Superman" has more music then this release, but only minor tracks.) I thought John Debney's release sounded appealing, thus the reasoning for its purchase. However, I do not recommend the original single CD release. It has a history of bad sound quality as well as half the music that the newer releases have. "Superman" is an excellent soundtrack. After all, every soundtrack collector has heard of the John Williams' popular "Superman" score. If you are a heavy collector of John Williams, "Superman" couldn't better fit that category

This cd is very bittersweet for owners of the original Superman cd. It has included some new clips, yet miraculously left off clips from the original cd! This is truly perplexing! I must first say that all this music for Superman deserves 5 stars. It is exciting, nice and brassy, and features some of John William's best marches and melodies. This cd does justice to most of the tracks beacuse the they are finally in stereo, they have received 20 bit mastering, and most have the same speed as the original album. Particular tracks to notice are the main title, which finally features the delicate prologue, growing up, and the Helicopter sequence; all include unreleased material and all are wonderful! The fun stops there, however, according to your preferences. For reasons unknown, the producer has left off material from the original cd! Therefore, this cd is far from complete, even though it has more room to accomidate these clips. I will say that the two cut tracks aren't too spectacular and don't feature really memorable melodies, but it is still unfortunate. I do reccomend this cd to new buyers interested in this excellent John Williams score. For owners of the original cd, tread with caution.

As a huge film score buff, I won't spend too much time on the score itself, as it's pretty well established that this score is one of the best in the modern era of film scoring, and certainly one of John Williams's best. The march and fanfare, along with the love theme, are three of the most recognizable and finest motifs in film score history. The original score recording featured Williams conducting the London Symphony Orchestra (peformances don't get much better!).

This recording features John Debney, an excellent composer in his own right, conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. I have come to love the RSNO, and this recording is one of the reasons why. The RSNO produced quite a bit of re-recordings of classic film scores (primarily under the direction of Joel McNeely) in the 90's, and this effort is the second of two with Debney. Unfotunately, the second, a recording of suites from the Back to the Future franchise, fell miserably short of the rest of RSNO's body of work, sounding mostly muddled and sloppy. But don't let that deter you from picking this recording up!

The RSNO absolutely shines here, with performances that rival the originals from Williams and the LSO. The sound quality is also superb. Although in minor places the scoring and orchestration is slightly altered, due to the record producers having to go back to the composer's original drafts for the material, the performance is faithful enough to be played right along with the movie but artistically liberal enough to warrant its own acclamations. For any of you who have heard their performances, the RSNO is a typically large orchestra, notable for their dynamic range and sweeping sound. All that particularly comes through here, with virtuosity and heroism abound. The brass put on a particularly good show; it's like hearing the score for the first time again. As for the staple main title, there are many other noteworthy peformances (Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops, the new Los Angeles performance for Ottman's Superman Returns score), but this one really takes the cake.

My only complaint is that with a 2-disc set, more music could be included. But as one reviewer already mentioned, such decisions had already been made, and due to the nature of the project (having to locate and re-orchestrate some of the original drafts), alterations would have been very difficult and costly to make. In short, hats off!

I know that this CDs is a Rerelease of John Williams Score to Superman, but as to many who have reviewed this It does not include the Original Soundtack Pieces, most due to the Fact that its not released by Warner Bothers themselves. Thats why "Can You Read My Mind" is not included in this collectiion. This Collection is just the Score from the Film in its original Form and not a Performance Piece like the Original Album was. I love this Album! I'm Glad that someone finally released the Orginal Score in its entirety.

The power and majesty of the John Williams music for Superman: The Movie is above reproach. It transcends its genre and proves that film scoring deserves to be taken seriously as modern, post-romantic classical music. The original recording, released in 1978, demonstrated that much. Thankfully, this new recording of the score by John Debney and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra loses none of this greatness in the translation; in fact, in some ways, it intensifies it. Although not all the music from the original recording made it into this release, everything that makes this score a mandatory part of every film music enthusiast's collection is still in there, and the 20 bit digital sound only enhances the experience.

They went back to William's original sketches for this release, so there are occasional slight differences in the music's arrangements and orchestration. But for anyone familiar with the original recording, the new approach gives the feeling of listening to the score once again for the first time.

If you are adding this music to your collection or upgrading it to CD, this is definitely the version to go with. A word of caution though: the original 1978 recording contains lyrics to convey Lois Lane's thoughts about Superman during The Flying Sequence (Can You Read My Mind?) that are missing from this new version. Still, those lyrics are included in the movie itself, so purchasing this new release will not cause these lyrics to disappear forever.

The cd arrived in good condition and it does sound wonderful. I think the music is beautiful. Superman, the movie was a good story and this music is a wonderful accompaniement.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra are glorious. I did detect one or two notes go split in the trumpet section, but I am being too finicky about that. The re-created orchestrations of John Williams' masterwork are worthy but it is a pity it wasn't accomplished perfectly (I hear some strange things happening in the woodwinds I have never heard in John Williams' original). I wish that John Debney was as accomplished in his conducting. One or two of his tempi are too fast/slow and delicately murder this emotional score. I cite as examples his treatment of the "I bequeath you, my son.." Jor-El speech underscore in THE DESTRUCTION OF KRYPTON ..Way too quick! Another example is the stunning orchestral writing of Clark Kent's goodbye to his mother in the wheat fields of Kansas: (JONATHAN'S DEATH on this recording). Again the pace is out of whack and too dragged for my tastes.
The real killer is omitting the full-version of the CAN YOU READ MY MIND?-FLYING SEQUENCE, one of the most glorious pieces ever written by Williams! What the hell did they do that for??! (Happily it is available on the new Superman The Movie 2CD set, and without Margot Kidder's recitation).
In conclusion- any 'Superman The Movie' music is welcome on digital format. And the artwork by legendary designer Bob Peak on the insert booklet is gorgeous.

When i first heard that it was made a new version of the Superman the movie soundtrack i yust...well it's cinda hard to explain but i yust had to buy it.But there was one problem,I WAS OUT OF CASH!But one day(the day my brother came home from his schooltrip) guess what he had bought to me...The new version of the Superman the movie soundtrack. Sorry for you who had to read this lousy story but yust as you know,if your'e out of cash and you want the Superman the movie soundtrack yust wait for brother to come home from anywhere and buy it to you. Ha,ha.

Anyway,a great,great great soundtrack it will always remain a classic and yust as you know this to,i would never give 5 stars to any other of the cd s they'r selling here so yust go buy it at once.

Here are some of my favorite tracks: Prelude and main title march, The planet Crypton, Growing up, Death of Jonathan Kent, The fortress of solitude, The big rescue, Super rescues, Luthors luau, The march of the villains, The flying sequence, Chasing rockets, Turning back the world and Finale and end title march.