January 6, 2010

  • Best of 2009: Film Music Compilations

    Silva Records continues to be the compilation music master when it comes to re-recording and among the many releases from 2009 (some repackagings) three stood out.  Their horror movie collection vastly improved upon a 2-disc set from a few years ago and features music from a vast number of films familiar and less well-known but still an amazing musical listen.  Their 2008 compilation of great music from that year allowed many the only chance to hear Giacchino’s “Roar” which appeared as end credits for Cloverfield.  Other selections were well chosen too.  Naxos is hovering around digital download and hard copy releases which means that their first film music compilation never appeared here in the states as a hard copy and the 2nd one is available as both.  These are possibly re-packaging from the orchestra’s own private label only available from their website in the UK.  While Chandos did not send out a lot of music for review, fans of English film music will handily enjoy their slim box repackaging of their Vaughan Williams film series which is superb and presented at a reduced price.

     

    The Definitive Horror Music Collection – Various composers (Silva)

    Film Music 2008– Arnold, Burwell, Cuomo, Djawadi, Eastwood, Giacchino, Gregson-Williams, Howard, T. Newman, Portman, Powell, Williams, Zimmer (Silva)

    The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams (Volumes 1-3, repackaged) – Ralph Vaughan Williams (Chandos)

    Great Movie Themes 2 – Badelt, Elfman, Mancini, Myers, Warbeck, Williams, (Naxos)

    The Music of Batman – Elfman, Goldenthal, Howard, Zimmer, Walker, Drake, Riddle, Hefti (Silva)

    You Must Remember This Too: Classic Film Music Arranged for Guitar – Gold, Newman, Korngold, Rozsa, Herrmann, Morley, Tiomkin (BSX Records)