Favourite Film Soundtracks

[Andrew]

Dear All,

Here's a new thread for sharing some of your favourite film soundtracks. I'm going to start with this soundtrack by John Williams which featured within the Steven Spielberg film 'Empire of the Sun', based on JG Ballard's novel of the same name. We studied the novel at school and we were treated to a screening of the film once we'd finished!

You might like to read more information about the soundtrack to this film here

'Empire of the Sun' (1987)
(John Williams)

Suo Gân
Cadillac Of The Skies
Jim's New Life
Lost In The Crowd
Imaginary Air Battle
The Return To The City
Liberation: Exsultate Justi
The British Grenadiers (Traditional)
Toy Planes, Home And Hearth (Chopin Mazurka Opus 17 No. 4)
The Streets Of Shaghai
The Pheasant Hunt
No Road Home / Seeing The Bomb
Exsultate Justi

Regards,

Andrew

[Andrew]

Hi All,

The first piece of music which is included on the soundtrack to the film 'Empire of the Sun', is 'Suo Gân'. This is a traditional Welsh lullaby written by an anonymous composer. In the film this piece was performed by James Rainbird and the Richard Williams Singers. The music is quite beautiful and very haunting. To listen to this piece via 'RealPlayer Video and Audio', please first select the link here and then right click on the 'Suo Gân' link. Select the "Save Target As" option to save the file to your PC. When the file is run, a video clip from 'Empire of the Sun' will be displayed.

I adore 'Suo Gân'. If you haven't heard it before here's your chance! I really hope you enjoy it

Suo Gân - Lyrics[/b][/i]

Huna blentyn yn fy mynwes
Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat,
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
Ni cha' dim amharu'th gyntun,
Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn,
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.
Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno,
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?
Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y môr;
Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw.

Sleep my baby, at my breast,
'Tis a mother’s arms round you.
Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
Feel my love forever new.
Harm will not meet you in sleep,
Hurt will always pass you by.
Child beloved, always you’ll keep,
In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.
Sleep in peace tonight, sleep,
O sleep gently, what a sight.
A smile I see in slumber deep,
What visions make your face bright?
Are the angels above smiling,
At you in your peaceful rest?
Are you beaming back while in
Peaceful slumber on mother’s breast?
Do not fear the sound, it’s a breeze
Brushing leaves against the door.
Do not dread the murmurring seas,
Lonely waves washing the shore.
Sleep child mine, there’s nothing here,
While in slumber at my breast,
Angels smiling, have no fear,
Holy angels guard your rest.[/font][/i][/size][/b]

[fusilier23]

Let's see, favorite flim soundtracks include most of the stuff by John Williams that's well-known, i.e. Star Wars, Raiders, etc., but I also like the soundtracks to Backdraft, Braveheart, First Knight, the Patriot, and Gettysburg. Some might say some of the music is intrusive, but the whole point of melodrama is or the music to enhance the words, like the chest-swelling strings as Joshua Chamberlain preaches to his men or the epic theme as all the men and older boys stand up to join the cause of independence.

[nicola]

I guess my favourite at the moment is the new Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It's a hauntingly beautiful OST. It's main piano then includes other instruments at dramatic moments. Wonderful.

I guess the one that has been my favourite for the longest isn't one you would expect. It was composed by Patrick Doyle (who composed the latest Harry Potter Soundtrack) for the film 'A Little Princess' written by the same author as 'The Secret Garden'. It's the perfect soundtrack. It's also a near perfect film. I might actually say my favourite.

Other soundtracks include 'The Mission' by Ennio Morricone, 'Anna and the King', 'Gladiator' (of course!) 'Lord of the Rings' and even the recent 'Peter Pan'.

I'm on the fence with John Williams. He was fantastic at first, but the more he does, the more he is running out of ideas. Hasn't anyone else noticed that Star Wars/Harry Potter/Indiana Jones/Jurassic Park soundtracks sound strikenly similar? Because I did.