Out Of Africa: Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

John Barry (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: John Barry
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002O4X
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,878 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

The great irony of John Barry's Academy Award-winning score for Out of Africa (which also took the Oscar as Best Picture) is that it almost never was; director Sydney Pollack had originally envisioned the film with native African music, going as far as laying the indigenous score down as he was editing. But the weight of John Barry's arguments--not to mention his considerable track record and composing gifts--held sway, and the composer delivered on his intent: a lush, romantic masterpiece for the ages. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music To Make You "Swoon", August 1, 2003

By	L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review refers to the "Out Of Africa" Soundtrack CD by MCA Records....

Old Fashion phrases like "dreamy" and "makes me swoon" come to mind when I think of the beauty in this music. Composer John Barry has added his genius to many films,"Dances With Wolves" and "Indecent Proposal" just to name a couple, and this one is one of the most beautiful and dramatic examples.

There are 12 "dreamy" tracks. Opening with the "Main Title"(I Had A Farm In Africa"), and including three variations on "Karen's Theme"("I'm Better At Hello", "I Had A Compass From Denys", and "If I Know A Song of Africa"), Barry's genius captures Karen's emotions, her feelings for Denys and her passion for the country and people of Africa). "Flying Over Africa" and the "End Title", ("You Are Karen")..will at the very least evoke goose bumps,and if you have seen the film and remember those scenes, may even bring a little lump to your throat. There is also some tradtional African Music, "Siyawe" which is wonderful and then there's Mozart - "Concerto For Clarinet and Orchestra in A" performed by The Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields, and Directed by Neville Marriner(Jack Brymer, Clarinet).

The CD is an excellent quality. It sounds wonderful on the stereo. I like to turn it up quite a bit, so I think my neighbors must love it too, cause I haven't heard any complaints!

So, "Let The Rest of The World Go By" (also included), get ready to "swoon" and enjoy.....Laurie

also recommended:
Orchestral Album
Cinema Choral Classics
Native Land

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful film and the best music score out of Hollywood, October 29, 1999

By A Customer

John Barry has remarkable talent, and he is at his best on this soundtrack. The beauty of the music, the appropriateness of the match to the film, is remarkable. This is, however, an abbreviated version of the soundtrack. It's now available in a new recording (20-bit digital) on Amazon, with much more of the film's music added. You may want to look into that version as well, by the Royal Scottish N.O. The music itself is a wonderful way to recall the film, but it stands alone too as a beautiful orchestral composition.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short-schrift on gorgeous music!, March 22, 2005

By	Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

John Barry won an Oscar for this score and it still holds up as a classic. Each selection is moving and heartfelt. Barry is at his best here, by pulling emotions out and just barely keeping under the radar of over-whelming emotional sweeps. There is only one drawback to this soundtrack and that is that it is only a little over (33) thirty-three minutes long. That's a tragedy. You might consider buying the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's recording. I found it to be nearly identical and it certainly does justice to Barry's work.