The Horse Whisperer: Original Score [SOUNDTRACK]

Thomas Newman

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 2, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000006NMX
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,818 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Composing music for a Robert Redford movie is a good thing. Ordinary People made Pachelbel's Canon in D a mainstream hit. The Milagro Beanfield War won Dave Grusin an Oscar for his charming score, and A River Runs Through It nabbed a nomination for Mark Isham's popular themes. Thomas Newman's score for Redford's adaptation of Nicholas Evans's bestseller relates well to the leisurely paced, nearly three-hour horse drama: it's never complicated. The rhythms of Big Sky country are introduced in a warble of strings in Newman's score and never overstay their welcome. Newman's dexterity in building various layers is more apparent in his scores for The Player and The People Vs. Larry Flynt, but those are more acidic movies (and scores). Most of the film's country-music sting originates with the songs that are available on a separate soundtrack album. There's more fluidity on this CD and, at nearly an hour of music, the disc lets Newman's score ease over you. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relaxing, haunting, emotionally sensational., May 9, 2000

By	D. Litton (Wilmington, NC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Some people always ask why I have so many soundtracks, especially score albums, and the reason for it is this: in listening to the music from movies, I'm able to create in my mind a vision of my life that ties in with a certain piece of music. The Horse Whisperer is among one ofmy many favorites with which to do this, mostly with the slow-moving, haunting ballads of newfound and unattainable love as played out in the film. Track 26, entitled "The Vast Continent," is, without a doubt, the most moving piece of music I've ever heard from a motion picture score, starting out slow and building to a bittersweet climax of strings horns, and piano. It is the perfect melody for love that, although it does exist, cannot be carried out. Track 12, "The Rhythm of the Horse," is a joyous, uplifting ballad that will give the listener a sense of being on top of the world, while the mellow, pro-depression "Hooves" is sure to create the sense of sorrow intended for the movie. This score spans a wide variety of orchestral efforts and compositions, and is one that will stay in the mind for many days after listening to it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will like this cd if:, September 17, 2002

By	Joel Munyon "Joel Munyon" (Joliet, Illinois - the poohole of America.) - See all my reviews

#1. You love the usual Thomas Newman sound.

#2. You're looking for a vast array of tracks that are extremely unique when compared to other Newman cds.

#3. You loved Newman cd's like How To Make An American Quilt and Little Women. Note, this is not American Beauty or Pay it Forward Newman.

#4. You like deeply involving melodies that blast with enthusiasm, delight, despair, and dozens of other emotion-invoking tracks.

#5. You love Newman! I think we've already established that last one.

With this score, you'll be getting one Newman's greatest works. It's right there Shawshank, Road to Perdition, and Fried Green Tomatoes. There are fun tracks, deeply moving tracks, and a wide assortment of others that make this cd stand near the top of the Thomas Newman mountain. You will love this cd.

Final note: as you might have assumed already, this score contains a number of guitar/orchestra tracks that create a nice mix. It's really quite a pleasant treat for your listening ears.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So beautiful it gives me chills, October 24, 2005

By	Anna Schroder "SteakSauce" (Valdemarsvik, Sweden) - See all my reviews

As a HUGE movie score fan and soundtrack collector this newest addition to my growing collection has been nothing but a joy for the ear. Thomas Newman really shines with this western/folk/epic style score that is impossible to remove from your CD player. I haven't stopped listening to it ever since I first got it a few weeks ago, and "The Rythm of the Horse" as well as the "End Title" seriously give me chills down my spine and they almost bring me to tears. Seldom have I heard such a beautiful, emotional and magnificent score!