Movie/TV/Game Scores Through The Ages - Alan's Personal Favourites

Oh yeah, my favorite score of the year is definitely Schindler's List. Jurassic Park comes close second. And then House of the Spirits.

Ah. My mistake then. '89 was a good year. So was '93!

Thanks Tom for posting a comment on Dracula.

I am hoping to expand on my comments for my favourite scores over at Reel Music and not just have it a straight repeat of this list here.

I do think the music is excellent, but it just doesn't go with the images. Maybe I will consider Glass' score as one of those "Inspired by the book" efforts.

1994 - Interview With The Vampire - Elliot Goldenthal

This year is quite a difficult year to choose a favourite. Not because there's not really that many good scores - because there are many good scores. But, for me, there's not one that really stands out. Goldenthal's score is the choice for me this year for his music for this gothic movie, but also because I feel that it is about time he featured on the list.

Right from the mesmerising "Libera Me" Goldenthal's style grabbed me. There is something about his use of the orchestra and all its various sections and the way he melds it with the heart-rending vocals that makes for truly memorable music. This is a typical Goldenthal score that highlights both his talents and his eccentricities: the aforementioned melding of the the orchestra and the forlorn vocals, the heartbreaking emotions he so easily generates in the likes of "Madelene's Lament", the bold eccentricity of orchestration in cues such as "Abduction and Absolution" and the drama of the likes of "Louis' Revenge". This is a style that is sadly missing from today's scores (even when Goldenthal composes today it's not like his scores such as this.) A worthy score that would come out on top in most years.

There's a few other films that gave me some great scores also in this year: Mark Mancina's Speed is an example of his scoring that I think he hasn't really bettered. His action scoring is instantly appealing as far as I am concerned. But there's an emotional edge to the score that differentiates it from the run-of-the-mill actioneer of the time. Joel McNeely's Iron Will is probably a score that's associated with a movie that no one really remembers and it is through the score that it is most favourably remembered. And Danny Elfman's themes for Black Beauty are nice but I find the score as a whole difficult to listen to all the way through.

However, it was Michael Lorenc's Bandyta that almost pipped Goldenthal's score for top spot. With the Eastern European feel to it and the infectiously listenable title theme tracks from this score always make me smile when I hear them. The way in which tracks such as "Taniec Eleny" start off quietly (and relatively slowly) and build and build until I find myself dancing Topol-like around the room (perhaps a slight exaggeration for effect) makes this score a favourite. And the dervish-like "Pogon" is a cue I never tire of hearing.

As always, people very quickly refer to scores I have not heard. I originally bought the 2-CD version of Forrest Gump that featured all the songs plus the suite of Silvestri's music (this was at a time when I was not internet-literate and the score album was never seen in shops). The suite is nice and every now and then I think that I should buy the score album, but I never get around to it.

Shawshank and The Lion King must be my favourites. Another one I like a lot is Exotica (Danna).

I like Interview too, but somehow don't listen to it as much as other scores from him. There's something I don't like about it either. Perhaps it's because it can be quite uneasy and uncomfortable music, at least to me.

I know two people who aren't happy with one particular score being mentioned in Alan's list

I am torn between Lion King and Legends of the FAll myself, Legends being my all-time favorite score by James Horner.

I really like that you mentioned Bandyta.
I dearly love that score and it might well take the top position for me.
That theme is one of the most gorgeous things I have ever heard (but then it helps I'm really partial to that eastern European sound).

Nice tune, although I'm not as blown away by it as everyone else. I agree, it has a Jewish, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF-type feel.

Did you listen all the way through the suite to the Mro Ilo main titles.
Fuck me, but that sears right through your soul. Nothing Fiddler-ish about that! Dark balkan at its most most melancholic.

'sears through the soul" is right Martijn, I can't remember the last time I listened to something for the first time and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and chills went up and down my spine, seriously, that's some of the most beautiful music I've heard in a very long time.

IS THE CD STILL AVAILABLE ANYWHERE?

Any idea what Canadian $26.95 translates as into English pounds?