Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Presentation, April 7, 2000
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.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the scores that brought Williams to fame..., October 4, 2000
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
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!, January 3, 2007
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!
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~ John Williams
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~ John Ottman
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by John Williams 
