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The stirring martial music from the movie "Captain from Castille" ("Conquest") is on this album and so far as I know it's the only CD you'll find it on. But other tracks are great also, including the "Parade of the Charioteers" from "Ben Hur," the theme from "The Magnificent Seven," and "The Imperial March" from Star Wars.
This compilation progresses chronologically through 60 years of film music, starting with 1939's "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood", and ending with "Titanic". Presumably, this has more to do with Sony's current copyrights and contracts than the relative merits of the composers. Only those of us burned by tinny, tacky, sacriligiously rearranged retreads on obscure labels can appreciate this.There are a few notable omissions. Or "Sugarland Express", for a really unexpected treat. Along with the usual suspects - music from "Ben-Hur", "The Magnificent 7", "Star Wars", et al, there are a few real sleepers, like John Barry's medieval-flavored theme to "The Lion in Winter", or Leonard Roseman's lyrical "East of Eden". Blessedly, most of the tracks are original recordings, conducted by the composers, among them Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. I've come to appreciate soundtracks more and more. Why not the theme from "Jaws", for instance.
This is real music from fine craftsmen, which sometimes attains art. And it's fine to have John Williams included twice, but why two pieces from "Star Wars". A great intro to the form, and wonderful just to listen to. And NO Ennio Morricone. It encompasses a huge range of styles. But these are minor quibbles.
The prolific Randy Newman isn't represented, though Uncle Alfred is. - incredible. And for whatever it's lacking, there's no fluff substituted. I bought it used - one of my best deals ever.
The conducting is, well, somnambulistic. My major interest in this CD was in the selection entitled "Robin Hood And His Merry Men" (duration: 4 min, 28 sec), conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Miking/mixing/processing yields a sonic brick deficient in instrumental nuances while sounding like way too many musicians were shoe horned into the recording studio. It turns out that this is a re-issue of the track from Sony Classical SK 62788, 1997. Surprisingly, this performance is poky, ponderous, and prodding. As for the rest of the tracks, it's hard to believe, but Silva America offers better compilations. Best to skip this one.
And I could listen to the Magnificent Seven theme over and over. I have several discs of film music, and this one if by far the best. As one of the previous reviewers noted, there are many peices absent that could have been included here, but I don't see how anyone could be completely satisfied with any compilation that fit on just one disc.The performances here are crisp and clear, and include a good selection of both old and new, ranging from traditional film favorites like the Star Wars theme, to less common selections like the screeching strings from Psycho (at least, I think they're less common, but I could be wrong). Anyway, this is a great disc for almost anyone. If you're looking for one thing in particular, find that film's soundtrack, but otherwise, this is a fantastic disc, and one of my favorites.
Great CD;the music is crystal clear with an excellent variety demonstrating the wide variety of musical talents in Hollywood. Liner notes are also most interesting, explaining some of the history behind the cuts and pointing out differences in the composers styles.as with John Barry. His style ranges from "the Lion in Winter" bold dramatic soundtrack to the exquisitley tender "Dances with Wolves" theme music. A CD to enjoy over and over
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