Titus: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]

Elliot Goldenthal

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00003WGNS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,459 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The score to Titus, Julie Taymor's film version of Shakespeare's bloody play, starts exactly the way one assumes it will: a generous chorus pumps out a foreboding (and relatively unintelligible) chant, supported by tumultuous orchestration. The orchestra will appear again, on occasion, but trust that this is the last moment your ears will experience anything that they are even remotely expecting. Perfectly suited to Taymor's flamboyant, genre-mad interpretation of Shakespeare's script, composer Elliot Goldenthal (Alien 3, Interview with the Vampire, Heat) has fashioned a tapestry that also includes hot-tempered big-band jazz, industrial rock, circus themes, and exotic tone poems. Furthermore, these elements overlap in ways that are more detailed and inventive than the motion picture industry generally allows. Midway through "Tribute & Suffrage," at the height of a hopped-up swing session, the set metamorphoses into kettledrums that usher in a majestic, symphonic sequence. The next time jazz is heard ("Swing Rave"), the band is backed by fuzz-toned guitarists (among them Page Hamilton, of the metal band Helmet) who could frizz Brian Setzer's retro perm. Clearly it is Goldenthal, and not Hollywood mercenary Michael Kamen, who should have conducted Metallica's orchestral S&M project. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goldenthal's Genius, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

In a time when so many motion picture soundtrack recordings are nothing more than compilations of rock n' roll songs featured, albeit briefly, in their respective films, it's wonderful to find a completely original score. The film has not yet arrived in Denver but on the strength of Goldenthal's past work, I immediately picked up the CD. It is an amazing mix of musical styles and sounds blended together to create one of the most interesting and enjoyable film scores I've heard in some time. Mr. Goldenthal ranks among the best of today's film composers: John Williams, John Barry, Gabriel Yared, Jerry Goldsmith, and others. His musical instincts and talents help enhance our motion picture experiences.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Elliot Goldenthal's current epic masterpiece!, June 25, 2001

By	Josh (Wyoming) - See all my reviews

There aren't enough words to describe how brilliant and exciting this score is! This is, without a doubt, Mr. Goldenthal's most bombastic, most creative, and most monumental piece of film score work to date. The film may not have been well noticed or recieved, but they did good by releasing an hour long score from the movie. Jam-packed with powerful themes, brilliant jazz ensemble pieces, and chilling melodies, Titus is a score that any film score fan shouldn't hesitate to pick up! It is truly Mr. Goldenthal's finest score to date!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning diversity, April 18, 2000

By A Customer

Goldenthal found the perfect tone to complement this over-the-top, gaudy, gory film. The music plays extremely well by itself, however. Like the film, it combines many eras and genres of music, from heavy orchestral works to modern swing jazz to industrial rock to atmospheric dissonance. Goldenthal feels at home with all. The music, is, by and large, all way over-the-top, but it's very fun to listen to.