The Godfather: Trilogy 1, 2 & 3 [SOUNDTRACK]

Carmine Coppola (Composer), Nino Rota (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Carmine Coppola, Nino Rota
• Audio CD (March 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Silva America
• ASIN: B000059LEY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,106 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Godfather saga may have its roots in pulp fiction, but the vision of director Francis Ford Coppola turned the story of Don Vito Corleone into an epic, multigenerational metaphor for modern American society and its place in the world. Coppola's musical choices were equally sage; aged Italian scoring legend Nino Rota's mournful solo trumpet theme ("Godfather Waltz") would become both a crucial, emotional link in all three films and an enduring modern icon on a par with the themes to Star Wars and Jaws.

This compendium gathers key themes from the Godfather trilogy in modern rerecordings, by conductor Paul Bateman and the Prague Philharmonic, that are sonically pristine and faithful to the originals. Utilizing the rich musical heritage of his native Italy (and occasionally evoking memories of his great collaborations with Fellini), Rota's Godfather music would ultimately net him his only Oscar^®, for Godfather II. Carmine Coppola, the director's father, supplements Rota's work with music that's more distinctly ethnic, while the prelude from Italian classical composer Pietro Mascagani's masterful opera Cavalleria Rusticana becomes a crucial element in Godfather III, filling the void left by Rota's passing in 1979. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Do not confuse music you love with rendition you won't, November 10, 2003

By	Andrius Uzkalnis (Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would not like to repeat what another reviewer said there: this is no original soundtrack. It is a very professional - and very uninspired - job by Prague Philarmonic who might have followed the music sheet but they lost the magic.

Yes, the tunes are memorable and, right from the first movements, they evoke the ghosts of complex cinematic imagery that are so deeply ingrained in the mind of anyone who loves this film. But the magic is gone. You know it's not THE soundtrack, and you've heard the real thing so many times.

The truth is that if you had Pavarotti to sing classic songs of The Rolling Stones, you would be disappointed with the result - despite the fact that Luciano has a much better voice than Mick Jagger.

Those artists who recorded the original soundtrack 30 years ago in Hollywood - and who remembers their names today? - were probably not as accomplished as the Prague Philarmonic. But they created the real thing, and therefore this cover disc will forever be no more than nice background music. That's all I use it for.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing performance of classic Godfather music..., January 8, 2003

By	Laura (Goleta, California) - See all my reviews

I am a die-hard Godfather afficianado and I was terribly disappointed in this CD. When I purchased it, I didn't realize it was not a recording of the original soundtrack from the movie. Instead, it is a reproduction of the songs by The City of Prague Philharmonic. The performance is technically accurate, but does not at *all* convey the emotion of the movie's moments. It's as if the musicians studied the score, but never saw the movie. In track after track, the rhythms are not quite right, the mood is not set, etc, which is jarring for someone who knows the movies well. If you just want to hear some pleasing music, buy this CD. If you intend to buy a CD of The Godfather soundtrack in order to re-experience the magic of the Godfather movies themselves, look elsewhere.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "easily become embroiled & identify with the score", March 20, 2001

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What is the secret of "The Godfather" saga's longevity and the general public's continuing approbation? Is it the unfolding testimony of a single family - a dynasty riven and driven by violent domination - underpinned by common bonds of basic fraternal descency - the basic elements inherent in the very personal tales recounted by "The Godfather" films - but none of this would be possible except for the wonderful scores that have been composed and played on every imaginable instrument in many corners of the world.

Nino Rota's main theme, the now famous "THE GODFATHER WALTZ", which informs much of the score for the film, is liberally adapted from a motif he originally composed for the frivolously frothy 1957 comedy "Fortunella" - but is altogether more sedate, more sombre in "The Godfather" saga's.

This drama, potency, atmosphere and characterisation of "The Godfather" films are easily recalled through this memorable music. Perfection in film making, in screen story-telling is rare yet "The Godfather" films achieved this. Must note, that the scores are so apt, so pertinent, so evocative, so germane that it is impossible to separate it out from the indelible fabric of a film or continuing film saga. Your love for film-music grows when you listen to Nino Rota and Carmine Coppola - who I believe have achieved perfection.

Hats off to - Silva America, The City of Prague Philarmonic, Paul Bateman (conducter) and the Crouch End Festival Chorus (choir master - David Temple). This album fellow "film-score-buffs", is an offer you can't refuse, if you know what I mean!

Total Time: 52:02 on 11 Tracks...Silva America SSD-1121...(2001)