Saturday, July 31, 2010

King Arthur Movie Suite

King Arthur Suite
Music by Hans Zimmer

In a perfect world, we would all have a composer such as Mr. Hans Zimmer to score our life's pursuits and accomplishments.  If one could choose, this movie suite would be mine!  Powerful.  Graceful. The orchestra sounds as if it were huge and the occasional chorus blends in so well you hardly notice. Teeming with action on the edge, yet filled with purpose and focused on the prize, this is certainly one of, if not the best from Mr. Zimmer.  Ah, if only...still we are lucky that in this world we have this magnificent music to hear as often as we wish, whenever we wish to escape to another time in place, if only in our head.  With a timing of 29:30, I hope that you will really enjoy this one.  -MJ

APE FILES (Lossless):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0pftaoaz9l95jls/KngArthrM0Ste.zip

MP3 FILES:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qrh2i00lk6ou7jt/KingArthurSuite.mp3

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The English Patient Movie Suite

English Patient, The Suite
Music by Gabriel Yared

Mr.Yared won an Academy Award for Best Score in 1996 with this lyrical work of orchestral phrasing that transcends into a new movie suite. Unfortunately, so much of the score was written to effect the mood, which it did very well, but with so few themes, we end up with only a taste of what this can really offer. Ah, but such a sweet taste it is!  With a timing of only 11:53, use this to get you into the mood. For anything!  I hope that you enjoy!  -MJ

APE FILES (Lossless):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6chp27ubsg0fvn4/EnglshPtntSte.zip

MP3 FILES (High Quality 320):

Monday, July 19, 2010

Cold Mountain Movie Suite

Cold Mountain Suite
Music by Gabriel Yared

For the final Civil War movie suite, we have this thought provoking work from Mr. Yared that at once is both emotionally moving as well as comforting. With a singular piano morphing into a gentle orchestral focus, we feel the longing of the music before a lone violin takes us to the next orchestral phrases. There are no real themes, yet this short movie suite is subtle as it takes us on its journey of the moment. This score was nominated by the Academy Awards for Best Original Score in 2003 so if you haven't heard it, here is your chance.  With a timing of only 15:08 take a short break from your day and enjoy!  -MJ

APE FILES (Lossless):

MP3 FILES:

Friday, July 2, 2010

North And South Movie Suite

North and South Suite
Music by Bill Conti

Still keeping with our Civil War theme, we have another movie suite taken from the landmark, television mini-series.  Better known for his other works such as the Rocky theme, Mr. Conti was given the task of scoring countless hours to accompany the drama and on-screen action of this Civil War epic.  The main theme grabs our attention before spinning off into a steady myriad of contortions.  Maybe a bit repetitious, the variety is grand in scale while putting us into the mix of war with some thunderous drums and gallant horns to pick us up. This is such great music, no doubt you will find yourself humming it long after the movie suite ends. It still feels like a work in progress, due in no small part to all of the available music.  Please understand that it was difficult to keep this suite at a reasonable length, yet the timing ended up at 40:03, probably my longest (okay I looked and Avatar is my longest @ 43:51), which of course I still hope you enjoy it. Enjoy!!  -MJ 

APE FILES (LOSSLESS):

MP3 FILES (HIGH QUALITY):


Gone With The Wind Movie Suites

Gone With The Wind (Original) Suite
Music by Max Steiner

Sticking with our Civil War Epics, I have a treat for you that is unique.  When you think of movies or epic motion pictures or the Civil War, you can't help but think of "Gone With The Wind". This music is well-known, almost as much as the film, but listening to the score reminds us of the limitations of when it was made.  The first movie suite is from the original 1941 score, which was cleaned up and remastered into stereo, but I warn you that there are numerous artifacts like hiss that are present.  Also the cues did not gel into a real composition but we still have something that resembles a movie suite. With a timing of only 14:40, go ahead and give it a listen. Enjoy!  -MJ

APE FILES (LOSSLESS)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/38o5ooj62pukw37/GneWthThWndSte%28Orig%29.zip



-OR-
Gone With The Wind Suite
Music by Max Steiner

The clarity and sound of this digitally pristine score was painstakingly generated by Charles Gerhardt and the National Philharmonic Orchestra in 2009.  It recreates the sound with a realism that easily surpasses the original in every way while retaining Max Steiners true intent. Certainly if he were here to listen, he would approve.  With a timing of 25:03, I think that you'll definitely enjoy this, too!  -MJ

APE FILES (LOSSLESS):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6dh4wi8ax6vqjl/GneWthThWndMoSte.zip

MP3 FILES (HIGH QUALITY):



Gettysburg Movie Suite

Gettysburg Suite
Music by Randy Edelman

In celebration of the 147th year anniversary (July 1-3, 1863) of the Battle of Gettysburg, we have a powerful movie suite from Mr. Edelman that encompasses the bitterness of that bloody conflict.  The main theme begins with a trumpet that is joined by drums which reminds us that this music is about war.  As the strings sweep us into the action we hear a short riff of "Dixie" before the remainder of the music fades into our memory.  With a timing of 28:55, we can never forget.  I hope you enjoy.  -MJ 

APE FILES (LOSSLESS):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hxwcd0jicc9pwcc/GttysbrgSte.zip

MP3 FILES (HIGH QUALITY):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z0ryf36rwr5548f/GettysburgSuite.mp3

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Glory Movie Suite

Glory Suite
Music by James Horner

This unusual Civil War movie suite comes to us from the pen of James Horner who has taken an unusual approach by putting us into the middle of the emotional impact of the motion picture. Beginning with a subdued gospel choir, the quiet strings of the main theme creep up on us before the music is underscored by the steady beating of the drums as we are shakenly reminded that war is bloody hell. The timbre of the voices along with the strength of the orchestra is haunting, yet strangely familiar to Horner fans.  Normally I do not go for choral works in movie suites, but when the voices are integral as another group of orchestral instruments the results are glorious (pun intended). With a timing of exactly 24:00, when you experience this, I know that you'll enjoy.  -MJ

APE FILES (LOSSLESS):

MP3 FILES (HIGH QUALITY):

Gods And Generals Movie Suite

Gods And Generals Suite
Music by Randy Edelman; John Frizzell

Speaking of "epic"! The American Civil War was an an event that helped shape the USA into what it is today.  Many fine motion pictures have inspired many to create those significant moments for us to experience and of course, the accompanying scores also come with inspirational messages all of their own.  First we have a lone violin that is answered by a single clarinet before the main theme kicks in, the strings soaring.  As the snare drums kick in we know for certain that this movie suite is about war!  Once the subdued choral voices announce the start of a lone piano before they mix together with the orchestra. Ending with a lone piano, this is a solemn yet touching work and if you've never heard it, you are missing something quite special.  With a timing of 24:45, I hope you'll enjoy.  -MJ

APE FILES (LOSSLESS):

MP3 FILES (HIGH QUALITY):