#137 – A New World

Artist – James Horner
Album – Jumanji (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Year – 1995
Genre – Soundtrack/Classical

For those of you looking for the second half of my Pentimento interview, don’t worry, it’s coming. However, this is a song I felt I needed to take a break to review. As you all probably know by now, we lost the great comedian and actor Robin Williams yesterday. As Jumanji was one of my favorite childhood movies, it felt only fitting to remember the memories Robin Williams has given me by reviewing the most beautiful song on the Jumanji soundtrack. “A New World” is a track filled with peace, happiness, and joy. I can’t think of a more fitting song to remember a man who brought so much of those emotions to so many.

The gentle flute of James Horner’s orchestra is the first thing you hear. Then a warm wave of orchestral beauty washes over you in an awesome wave. This happens multiple times, each one better than the next. The sense of peace you get is just amazing. There’s one more quiet string section, and one more soft and subdued burst from the lush strings, and then you hit one of the most beautiful flute passages I’ve heard in any soundtrack.

The flute melody in this song is just incredible. It’s soft, fluttering, and delicate. It just lets your mind wander to a place of total happiness, and the swelling and falling strings evoke feelings of nature and all the things we find joy of in life. The wonderful harp passage that leads into this section and closes it out brings to mind small pleasures: a falling leaf, a summer day, someone you love. These are all reflected in the ebullient tone of the song.

The last section of the song is a gentle one, as if the piece takes you by the hand and leads you down the path and into the light. The interspersed instruments are bursts of joy and eventually, they bring you home at the end. It’s a softly satisfying ending to a cathartic song.

Robin Williams made us happy, and this song is a perfect reflection of those feelings. I certainly won’t forget his legacy anytime soon, and I’m sure the rest of the world won’t either. This song is a perfect memorial to his life. Thank you Mr. Williams for all you’ve given us. All of us.

Celebrity deaths often bring to light aspects of society we’d rather not see. Depression is a serious mental affliction that takes lives every day. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call this number: 1-800-273-8255. Someone out there is willing to listen; willing to offer help. There’s always hope.

Thank you all for reading, and please share this post as much as you can. I feel this is a fitting memorial to a great man. Likes and comments are always appreciated, as are follows. Thanks for sticking with me.

#124 – Path of Destiny

Artist – Namco Sound Team (composed by Junichi Nakatsuru, Ryuichi Takada, and Keiki Kobayashi)
Album – Soul Calibur III Original Soundtrack
Year – 2005
Genre – Classical/Soundtrack

I think video games are one of the most underappreciated sources of great music. Video game soundtracks have often blown me away where ordinary film scores have not. One of the best video game developers that consistently puts out amazing music is Namco. Being a huge fan of the Soul Calibur series, it was agonizing to pick one track from 4 games worth of soundtracks that I have, but it had to be this one. “Path of Destiny” is a track that plays during the credits of Soul Calibur 2-4, but the version from 3 is just absolutely stunning and breathtaking in its composition and sound. It stands up with the best tracks from any movie soundtrack you’ve heard and then some. It’s epic in scope and will leave you stunned.

The opening flourish is just spectacular. The trumpets are crisp and loud and triumphant, and the whole orchestra is filled with bombast. However, despite the awesome grandeur of the beginning the transition and the next section are much more somber and poignant, but just as emotional.

The lone trumpet followed by the french horn gives me chills every time. It’s melody is a melancholic one, as it seems to be paying homage to all fallen warriors. It’s a beautiful sound, and as the snare rolls in and the next epic section begins, we’re just getting started.

This next section is a slow march filled with fanfare and beautiful orchestration. It has wonderful choral sections and melodies that will make your heart soar. Seriously, try not to get choked up while listening. As the brass comes in, the melody soars even higher and the instruments crescendo over and over, keeping the track interesting and engaging to both mind and ear. It’s literally a roller coaster ride. Crashing symbols, thundering brass, gentle strings and powerful drums create this glorious war march section.

The track slows again to a beautiful section with woodwinds and lower brass that echoes the main theme, and finally picks up once again to another incredibly loud and proud return to the melody with every instrument in tow. It really fills you with pride and spirit, and the song just builds on this feeling until the final ending.

The ending is fit for royalty, with trumpets blazing and then dipping into a final build up to a final loud stop from all instruments. It’s awe inspiring to hear. Every rise and fall of this track grabs you and doesn’t let go. It’s just such a beautifully composed track, and it really is something to hear. And yes, this came out of a video game. Believe it.

If you’re looking for a grand, epic piece of classical soundtrack work that’s different from the norm, this is your song. Everyone should give game soundtracks more of a chance, and here’s the best place to start. Listen, and be amazed at the sound of glory.

Thanks for reading, everyone! Please leave a comment, a like, follow me, or share this page with a friend. Now go forth and slay dragons!

#51 – Sleepers Awaken! (Wachtet Auf, Rult Uns Die Stimme)

Artist – Douglas Major & Empire Brass (Composed Originally by J.S. Bach)
Album – A Bach Festival
Year – 1990 (Composed early 1700’s)
Genre – Classical

I don’t claim to be a classical music scholar, or even an aficionado at that, but I do know what sounds beautiful to me. Sleepers Awaken by Johann Sebastian Bach is one of my favorite classical pieces. It’s a cantata, or a church piece, written about the parable of the seven virgins that Jesus tells the Disciples. It involves waiting for the coming of the Lord and being ready for his arrival always. It’s an absolutely gorgeous piece that transcends all history. The version that I prefer listening to is actually a small piece of the entire cantata performed by Empire Brass. Let’s get into this wonderful piece.

The first thing I love about this particular version is the combination of the horns and the basso continuo of the organ. It creates one of the richest textures in classical music, and fills the room with warmth and a sense of peace and majesty. The piece itself has a repeating melody motif that is one of the most beautiful melodies I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. The notes descend and fall like water, only to rise back up in glory. The trumpet is crystal clear and cuts through the air like a knife, and the french horn (one of my favorite instruments) is rich and bombastic. The organ (Bach’s instrument of choice) always sounds beautiful to me, and provides a wonderful backing texture.

The whole ensemble group works together so well and paints such a lovely portrait of sound. I firmly believe there is no better classical composer than Bach, as he was impeccable at writing melodies that stand the test of time and even remain pleasing to modern ears. He is still one of my favorite composers of all time.

If there were any piece that should exist to praise God and paint a picture of majesty and glory, it would be this piece. The instruments sound as if they were played by the angels themselves, and the melody sounds as if it were passed to Bach through God himself. The intervals are perfect, and the performance is wonderful. I know this is a short review since there are no lyrics, but I truly think if you should have any classical piece on your ipod, even if you’re not a classical music fan, it should be this piece. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and a true treasure of the baroque period and of music.

Let me know what you thought of the song and review below in the comments!