Christopher Columbus: The Discovery

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Imagine the fate I had. I came downstairs, my parents were watching a movie called Christopher Columbus, it wasn't 1942 and they just played the scene about the discovery. Hearing those orchestral tones got me into reading so much good reviews about the composition and actually having one score of Cliff Eidelman in my possession, (Star Trek VI) you repeat to yourself: "Go and get this soundtrack, NOW". So I went and got it, and until today I haven't regretted it for one singular moment. Epic adventure soundtracks have always been a favorite of mine and discovering that this score had orchestral and choral magic, it was just a matter of thematic approval. This score, for all the fans who haven't heard anything of Eidelman before, wasn't hard to disapprove because the themes sounded superb.

Christopher Columbus: The Discovery still stands as one of Eidelman's largest orchestral scores. Sadly people simply hire this composer for his emotional abilities, meaning an intimate sound and gentle orchestration. But as good as he is at that, put this man in front of an orchestra and magic will hit the sealing. More, put choral sound with it and you've got no sealing anymore. This score delivers "this" and more ladies and gentlemen. It all starts unique with the main heroic theme of the score in 'The Great Sea' followed by one of the two choral moments. 'Come O Come Emanuel' is an ode to Henry V and its followers, majesty is reached for the first time. Eidelman's action thunder resembles Star Trek VI and is pulsating when discovered in 'The Broken Cloud' and 'Mutiny on the Bounty'. Then we come to the highlight of awe and wonder in 'The Discovery (Gloria)'. When Eidelman starts weaving choral phrases into the discovery of America one can just sit and be amazed, be ready for majesty reaching the sealing again. Also try to discover the John Williams' sound in 'Saint Elmo's Fire', a trumpet solo playing the main theme resembles the listener with JFK's main theme.

Perhaps the only slight burden is the ethnic sounding 'The New World', incorporating a South American sound but besides the entire orchestral score it falls a bit short. And a stunning close to the score is 'A Hero's Welcome (Epilogue)' with a full orchestral tour de force of the main themes of Christopher Columbus. Yes we have reached the majestic spot for the third time. If people, namely directors and producers haven't still figured out that an animal can do tricks if you give him a chance and the ball, then they should know that by now. Eidelman can deliver orchestral sound of majesty, awe and theme if you give him that possibility. Even the tiny family scores like Free Willy 3 or the big science fiction epics Star Trek VI show this, ample in sound and true in theme. Christopher Columbus: The Discovery is one of Eidelman's biggest sounding epics in scope and anyone with a favor for Eidelman and the genre will surely see it as a necessary addition to the collection.

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Tracks

Single Disc

Act I: Spain

1. The Great Sea (1.35) Excellent Track

2. Come O Come Emanuel (2.23) Excellent Track

3. The Broken Cloud (3.38)

4. Never Forget (1.59)

5. Spain Defeats The Moors (3.09)

6. House Of Gold (1.06)

Act II: The Sea

7. The Voyage (1.28) Excellent Track

8. Mutiny On The Bounty (3.16)

9. Remembering Home (1.31)

10. Saint Elmo's Fire (4.07)

11. The Discovery (Gloria) (3.03) Excellent Track

Act III: The West Indies

12. The New World (3.21)

13. Alvarao's Fatal Act (2.17)

Act IV: The Sea

14. Storm (1.02)

Act IV Part 2: Spain

15. The Return (0.41)

16. A Hero's Welcome (Epilogue) (7.27) Excellent Track

Total Length: 42.50

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=== Link to Composer Site: Cliff Eidelman ===