Music Of Ancient Rome (Wind Instruments/+Book) - Synaulia

Advantages: A mind blowing Classic of the highest order.
Disadvantages: There simply is none, if less than perfect sound quality doesn't bother you.

...'s plucking rhythms appearing for a moment in the middle. "The Search" continues in the same melancholy, yet hopeful feel as the previous cue and is a beauty of lyrical invention to which the solo instruments again bring much character. The "Mountain of Power Procession" brings another aspect to the score, that of a triumphal march. The music is full of Rózsa-esque pompousness apprarent in scores like Quo Vadis, Julius Caesar and Ben-Hur. Near the end we also get a tantalizingly haunting appearance of the Orgy music to be heard in full later on. Among the most interesting cues is "The Tree of Woe" where Conan is plagued by some really silly-looking ghosts. Again Poledouris' music really adds drama to the scene with eerie dissonance, swooshing effects and the sounds of wind-chimes. The moment is lifted as Subotai makes his appearance accompanied... Read review

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Advantages: Read the opinion!
Disadvantages: See above.....

...is composed and produced by Hans Zimmer (a previous Academy Award nominee and winner for film soundtracks), with additional vocals supplied by Lisa Gerrard (formerly a member of Dead Can Dance and a Golden Globe Nominee). It is obvious how passionately Zimmer is with his music and how much of a perfectionist he is. Watch the profile of him on the Gladiator DVD if you get the chance as it’s very informative. He has obviously poured his heart and soul into this musical score. • Style The musical style is fairly traditional orchestral music on the whole but with some more ancient instruments and styles surfacing throughout the album, fused with the haunting tones of Lisa Gerrard. This combination creates an extremely forceful and dramatic soundtrack to compliment the visual splendour of Gladiator. The musical style doesn... Read review

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Advantages: Original, intriguing music
Disadvantages: No one has heard of them... no one will buy it

...The cover of this album was the first thing that intrigued me. Stylish green-grey throughout, and with a picture of some (presumably) Roman statues on the cover, the look alone of this album made me stop and wonder what sort of music it was going to be. That's not something that happens especially often- most times you only need to give an album cover a cursory glance to see exactly what you can expect- a good way for marketing teams within media companies to help keep the same people reaching for the same things on the shelves… The music is as enigmatic as the cover art and song titles, an effect which is enhanced further by there being virtually no information about the band themselves on the CD or digipack itself. From the first track, Der Zeitsturm, Rome appear to be quietly subverting my expectations (whatever they may have been... Read review

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