Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worth a try, but don't get too excited, May 6, 2000
If you want original quality, get the original scores. I would also have liked to get a boxed set of the original soundtracks. This CD is only for those who want to listen to alternate versions of certain music. Tracks 16 to 19 are all genuine from the Part III original score. I have always loved to hear the Part II theme, but the version on the Trilogy CD does not compare at all. The tempo is slower, and the instruments and tone are totally different...nothing like the original. The "Burn The Book" track is also altered. They took the drums out of the beginning, which changed the music completely. The Part I theme is also different. This version uses fewer instruments than the original. Even though you get certain Part I tracks that weren't on the original score, like the famous "Skateboard Chase," you can bet that Debney and RSNO changed the music in some way. I think fans shoud get this only if they want to hear music not found anywhere else (like the "Skateboard Chase").
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing, March 23, 2000
This recording sounds terrible, first of all. There is nothing wrong with the actual sound quality; the fidelity of the recording is fine. However, Varese's "concert hall" acoustic style of recording is getting on my nerves. This recording has none of the vibrancy or immediacy of a real film score recording. I dare you to listen to the original MCA soundtrack and tell me this recording compares. The snare drums are consistently muted throughout and in certain sections are dropped from the music! This happens in Clocktower pt. 1 and in Lone Pine Mall '85. The piano parts are all way too soft. Debney's interpretation and the RSNO performance is totally inferior. They did not do the original score justice. Their take on Clocktower pt. 1 is atrocious. The tempos are all too slow. However, in spite of all these problems, it's better than nothing. Clocktower pt. 2 actually sounds pretty decent. I am glad to finally have that on CD. There are a few other worthy cues too, such as "Doc Returns" and the music from BTTF 2.
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22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
REASONS NOT TO GO BACK TO THIS FUTURE..., August 4, 2005
First off I should point out the fact that not only am I a HUGE film score buff but I am also a trained and professional classical musician. I have attended both The Juilliard School and the Indiana University School of Music and have worked as a professional musician for the past nine years. I wanted to share this information so people would know that I am not just "talking ignorantly" but, in point of fact, I actually know EXACTLY what I am talking about.
Having said that, let me now say that I am an avid fan of the scores from all three "Back to the Future" films and quite an admirer of Alan Silvestri's body of work. I also have nothing but great respect for John Debney and his intentions behind this project. But, with that respect being paid, I must now say that this CD is one to avoid if you are a true conesseiur of the score from "Back to the Future" or if you are seeking a TRUE representation of the film's actual score.
Why do I say this? Well, I'll tell you. First of all, most of the recordings on this CD of tracks from "BTTF Part 1" are WAY too slow. Also, a lot of the tracks have been altered from their original representaion and recording. For example, in "The Skateboard Chase" the beginning of the track and end of the track have been altered. Certain notes by the brass have been left out of the intro. including a muted trumpet playing the famous first three notes of Marty's theme (the main "BTTF" theme motif). Also, the end has been altered as well to not include the cacaphonous diminished chord played in the film as Biff's car hits the manure truck.
Other flaws? Well, certain notes are not played in the right spots in the recording of "The Clocktower Part II". The track of "Lone Pine Mall 1985" has been altered to not include the famous snare drum/tom-tom triplet motif played in the film as Marty watches himself take-off in the DeLorean...also, the famous "BTTF" Petrushka chords that are played as Doc opens his eyes after being shot (the chords that are played by a Celesta to open both sequels; consisting of a G Major and C# Major chord) are totally BUTCHERED! They are supposed to be FULL BLOWN confidently played chords and on the recording it sounds as if they are played as an after-thought. It's painful to hear them muddle through such a staple of the music.
There are other major flaws in the re-recording of the music from "BTTF Part 1", but I think I will save you the pain of going into detail.
If you want a TRUE representation of the film's score try tracking down a copy of the CD from "Movie Music Records", a company based in Poland. They sell copies of the "BTTF Part 1" score on Ebay from time to time. This is an actual copy of the score used in the film, not a re-recording. It's pricey but if you're a fan you'll be glad you paid the money. Trust me.
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~ Alan Silvestri
~ John Williams (Composer)
~ Alan Silvestri
~ Elmer Bernstein
~ John Williams (Composer)
by Alan Silvestri 
