Aho: Orchestral Works

Advantages: SUPERB use of an orchestra. Highly innovative. The final track Navras - is worth the price alone.
Disadvantages: If you don't like dissonance - this is not for you.

...I am not a fan of the final movie. But I am a HUGE fan of the score for the final movie. It is absolutely superb. From the opening unmistakable Matrix triads on the trumpets at the beginning to the pounding of the final track Navras - this is a superb score. It will not appeal to everyone however. This track takes influences from Mahler, Wagner, and to an extent Shostakovich. It is in no way a score that will appeal commercially. Don Davis (the composer) is a contemporary of John Williams and has worked with Williams for many years as an orchestrator. Often it is the orchestrators who have really good ideas - and The Matrix series is without doubt the set of films that will propel Davis into the mainstream. Goodness knows what the budget is - but I know that Davis had an orchestra of about 90 players and definitely 99 choral... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A beautiful score
Disadvantages: Music often lacks development

...I raced to the cinema to buy my ticket to see the long awaited "Pearl Harbor", barely unable to contain my excitement, not about seeing the new blockbuster film, but hearing the new Hans Zimmer score. And it was unmistakably Hans Zimmer, those agonizing appoggiaturas and suspensions, those heavy strings, but to my surprise, a piece of practically flawless, symmetrical musical form. Feeling a little disappointed after the expectation of a work of Mahlerian complexity, I bought the soundtrack recording, and offered the score a second chance to prove itself to me. One might be forgiven for thinking Hans Zimmer had been transformed from a genius of classical musicianship to a composer of well-orchestrated popular music. Indeed the opening song "There You'll Be" is a traditional movie song, and is beautifully arranged and orchestrated... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A stunning soundworld
Disadvantages: It is a long work

...Steve Reich has often said that writing for the orchestra was difficult. This is in part to difficult personal times but also aestetically it hindered the rhythmic agility that his music requires. However, despite reservations by many about his orchestral works (they are often considered his weaker works) I find myself continually fascinated by what he makes the orchestra do. The Desert Music is music on an epic scale featuring huge sweeping textures and turbulent chorales set to text by Wittgenstein (whom steve studied during his philosophy major). The piece lasts some 48 minutes and is sectioned into contrasting moods and tempi. The very opening and closing movements are like giant pulsating waves that literally crash down over you, it truely is an amazing feeling. The orchestra pulsates to steady quavers as the harmony morphs slowly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful