Scores/instrumental soundtracks

[Natasha (candygirl)]

Since SanDeE* mentioned The Red Violin in another thread, it got me thinking about other instrumental soundtracks and scores. I loved The Red Violin as well as the Amelie soundtrack. Oooh, and the Amadeus soundtrack. The Requiem gives me chills. What other scores or instrumental/non-vocal soundtracks do you love?

[SanDeE*]

The Red Violin - composer: John Corigliano; solo violin: Josh Bell
LOST tv show - composer: Michael Giacchino (no cd available yet!)
Black Rain - composer: Toru Takemitsu

I think that Howard Shore's score for Lord of the Rings was very well done. It was the first time in the history of moviemaking that the composer was asked to come back in and score MORE music for the extra deleted scenes (since they released such huge collector's dvds).

Of course there is the classic John Williams' score for the Star Wars films. He's not one of my favorite composers but it's amazing how recognizable his music has become. I really respect that and the music for Star Wars is very fun.

I have heard that the orchestral score for Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet is supposed to be really good, but I only have heard the pop songs soundtrack. Anyone have any experience with that one?

[starbug]

Definitely an interesting question!

Personally I think Eliot Goldenthal is pretty special. He did the music for Interview With A Vampire, Alien3 (bits of this score are tremendous, especially the score for the scene where Ripley falls into the pit at the end). I think he also did one of the Batman soundtracks; whichever one it was that Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me by U2 was also on.
His music sounds vaguely 'holy' if that makes any sense; full orchestra, lots of choral additions. Much of the Alien3 soundtrack is pretty spooky, but there are some really beautiful pieces of music on there. A great juxtaposition of the truly evil with the theme of sacrifice and redemption.

Another one I like is John Williams, and particularly the music he did for Dances With Wolves - there's one track that is pretty simple, but very beautiful, and is just plains and wagon-trains all the way through.

On a slightly different theme, if you ignore all the bluesey/jazz music (not that it's not great, but it isn't really instrumental), The Firm soundtrack (by Dave Grusin) has some fantastic blues piano. That's the first film soundtrack I ever bought.

Also love the soundtrack Michael Nyman did for The Piano.

[Sascha]

I like Thomas Newman's scores, especially the one for "American Beauty". I think he has a very unique style.
John Williams' work for "Star Wars" has already been mentioned. Not to forget his scores for "Indiana Jones", E.T. (the "flying" theme) and Superman (although that one almost sounds like his Star Wars themes).
Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen and his score for "Igby Goes Down": I didn't notice it at all at first, but then his "Insanity is Relative" Suite from that movie played in the background of the "Igby" DVD menus and I couldn't get it out of my head...

I don't like most part of the "Donnie Darko" score, but there's one recurring theme by Mike Andrews for the so-called "Manipulated Living" which gives me the chills everytime. It features a weird and haunting sound effect.

On the other hand, I don't know much about music, so I like almost everything that sounds great to me. And thanks to my 5.1 surround sound system a lot of stuff actually sounds great )

I have heard that the orchestral score for Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet is supposed to be really good, but I only have heard the pop songs soundtrack. Anyone have any experience with that one?

Indeed, that's an excellent score. Many different styles -- from the classical "O Verona" over the mexican-influenced "Gas Station Scene" score to the rock-themed "A Challenge". Unfortunately (IMHO), the score soundtrack CD actually contains the exact sound mix from the movie, sometimes even including the voices of the actors.

Honestly, the pop songs from the first soundtrack CD fascinated me more -- I remember that Radiohead's "Exit Movie for a Film" and Garbage's "#1 Crush" played for weeks in my player Ah, 1997, those were the days

[Videodrome]

I miss the 90s too my friend, I do too!

I like the score to the Halloween films also Jurrassic Park, Casper, Deep Impact, and Romeo & Juliet.

[Brunkster]

Instrumental:

Last of the Mohicans
Chariots of Fire
Ladyhawk

Non-instrumental:

The Highlander

[dTheater]

I like Thomas Newman's scores, especially the one for "American Beauty". I think he has a very unique style.

Ditto. That is my favorite score ever. I listen to it as I sleep.

[SpaceCadet]

Oh man you guys got to check out the soundtrack for The Village (M. Night Shamalayn). This guy James Newton Howard writes some crazy scores. I believe he has worked on all of M. Night's movies. Dang, I cant explain to you how much his work blows my mind.

[Nothingman]

My favorites are:
A River Runs Through It - Marh Isham
Braveheart - James Horner

[emmie]

the legend of 1900 has a nice score, plus songs used in the context of the film. it's also a great movie to check out.