Film Score Friday: Enemy at the Gates

This week on Film Score Friday we listen to the score from Enemy at the Gates. James Horner wrote the score for this 2001 war film. The film depicts the fight during World War 2 from the Russian perspective while the Germans pressed further into their territory. To achieve the Russian sound and feel, Horner borrows heavily from Rimsky-Korsakov and Shostakovich. This achieves the goal and really helps sell the film. The Horn choir paired with vocal choir at the beginning is particularly worth the price of admission. The Brass as a whole have plenty of opportunities throughout the score. We recommend you give this lesser known Horner score a try, Enjoy!

 

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Enemy at the Gates on Amazon

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Film Score Friday: Apollo 13

This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Apollo 13. James Horner wrote the score for this 1995 space disaster film. Horner wrote this score during one his more prolific periods. He had several major score debut around the same time as this one. Despite this, Apollo 13 is still one of his best works. There are several times when Horner uses a brass choir feel to evoke a feeling of reverence. This goal achieved and really pairs well with the on screen mood. 

In many ways, the film pays tribute to American ingenuity and perseverance. Along with this theme, Horner places some subtle patriotic themes throughout. This is most apparent when he uses a Trumpet solo with a thinly scored orchestra. The always great Tim Morrison plays an amazing solo that evokes the emptiness and endlessness of space. Horner draws sharp contrasts with this feeling in other parts of the score with themes that evoke the claustrophobic sense of being trapped in a tiny space capsule. 

The inclusion of some period pop music meant that Horner did not create as much material as does for most of this works. The opportunities he's given are not wasted here. This is a truly wonderful score for a wonderful film. 

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Apollo 13 on Amazon

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Film Score Friday: The Pagemaster

The Pagemaster, limited-edition CD-Original Soundtrack Recording
By James Horner, London Symphony Orchestra, Universal Voices London, Wendy Moten, Babyface, Lisa Stansfield
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This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from The Pagemaster. James Horner wrote the score for this 1994 animated film. As you would expect in Horner score, the horns have plenty to do and it's great. The rest of the brass is certainly not neglected though. The film is oriented around a whimsical adventure. Horner captures this spirit with ease. The original recording was done by the London Symphony and lives up to expectations and then some. 

Where does this score rank for Horner's works? Let us know in the comments. 

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The Pagemaster on Amazon

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Film Score Friday: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Starring William Shatner, paramount
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This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. James Horner wrote the score for this 1984 entry in the Star Trek series. Horner returned to the series after the success for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Horner continued with many of the themes he used in the previous film. This is one of the weaker Trek films, but also one of the better scores. 

Horner uses the idea of playing the same line octaves quite a bit. Each instrument in the brass section has their own chances throughout the score to play in octaves. The effect works well and achieves the foreboding effect the film needs. Horner, as usual, adapts motifs and groupings of instruments to fit characters on screen. For example, if you hear low brass with percussion, expect Klingons to be on the way shortly.

Where does this rank for Star Trek scores? Let us know in the comments. 

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Star Trek III: The Search for Spock on Amazon

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Film Score Friday: The Mask of Zorro

The Mask Of Zorro
Starring Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Letscher
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This week of Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from The Mask of Zorro. James Horner wrote the score for this revival of the classic hero's tale. Horner drew some of his inspiration from the score of El Cid, one of the first epics to feature historic Spanish characters. 

Given the setting, it should be no surprise the prominence Horner gives to Spanish themes and instrumentation. Horns are prominent throughout the score as well. Whenever the main motive returns, it's always emphasized with horn. Trumpets get an opportunity for some lyrical solos as well. 
 

It's a great a score that really improves an average film. While there's familiar elements from Horner, it is different from many of his other scores. The material is certainly a factor, but still it's welcome and a joy to listen to. 

Where does this rank for Horner scores? Let us know in the comments. 

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The Mask of Zorro on Amazon

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Film Score Friday: Star Trek II The Wrath of Kahn

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig
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This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. James Horner wrote the score for this 1982 edition in the Trek franchise. This was Horner's first big profile movie. He delivered well. When Horner was brought on board, producers asked him to not use any of Jerry Goldsmith's material from the prior Star Trek film. 

“I’m sure that I was influenced by Goldsmith’s large orchestral scores when I started out, and that was because the people who employed me wanted that kind of sound. I wasn’t in a position to say, ‘Go To Hell!”
— James Horner on Star Trek 2

The director asked Horner to make the score sound "seafaring." This comes through quite a bit. There's a triple motive from the horns that adds drama at the right times in the top end of the range. Trumpets have lots of great fanfares as well. The low brass has plenty of chances to put air in their horns as well. 

In many ways, this film resembles an old submarine movie. The programmatic themes Horner inserts match this theme well. 

 

Where does this rank for Star Trek score? Let us know in the comments. 

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Star Trek II on Amazon

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Film Score Friday: First Knight

First Knight
Starring Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Ben Cross, Liam Cunningham
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This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to 1995's First Knight. James Horner scored the music for this retelling of the story of Knight Arthur. This one falls under the category of middle of the road movie with a great score. 

The brass really get lots of opportunities to shine in this score. Each section really has unique times to shine as well. Trumpets have some great fanfares and lyrical passages. The horns get to soar over the top of the strings in many spots. The low brass really sets the tone of foreboding. Well done low brass and well done James Horner. 

Horner came to this project at the last minute and recorded the score in just a few days. The rushed job doesn't show at all. This is a very underrated score and worth your time to check out. Besides, brass combined with a large choir singing ominously in Latin is awesome. 

Where does First Knight rank for James Horner scores? Let us know in the comments. 

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First Knight on Amazon

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