1492: Conquest of Paradise: Original Soundtrack

Advantages: Has music for just about everybody
Disadvantages: Barely none

...Christopher Columbus: The Discovery and 1492: Conquest of Paradise. Both were epic in nature, ambitious in execution and both were miserable failures. The latter in particular sticks out because it was directed by Ridley Scott, the director of Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma & Louise. Despite a strong cast that included Gérard Depardieu, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina and beautiful cinematography, the movie was a long and boring ...
...a film Scott would rather forget. However, despite the poor performance of the film there was one aspect that has kept the film's memory alive: the music of Vangelis. Vangelis' previous collaboration with Scott had been the futuristic Blade Runner of 1982. Ten years later we can hear distinct improvement and sophistication in the style of Vangelis. Whereas Blade Runner was a mismash of different cues made specifically to fit a certain scene in the ... Read review

Advantages: Powerful, enmotional introduction to modern classical
Disadvantages: Genre specific - can't have everything

50 minutes of spell-blinding classical music. Vangelis, perhaps best known for being 'the guy that wrote that tune on Charriots Of Fire' has displayed his great talent and intelligence in composing, arranging, performing AND producing this entire soundtrack (and he did it in a style consistent with the movie!). The film, if you haven't seen it, is about Columbus' journey and discovery to the 'new world'. Throughout the movie the music is a quintessential ...
...and the acting skills of the cast (Gerard Depardieu & Sigourney Weaver amongst others). As a musical piece alone however, this soundtrack can and does stand alone. Each piece can be both powerful and emotive, relaxing and exciting but all are thought-provoking. The sheer brilliance of the creation drove me to purchase Portraits (Vangelis' greatst hits) and though this album contains his widely acclaimed best work (it's surprising how many you recognise ... Read review