Titanic

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

We mark the now legendary year for Horner, not only because he did receive his first ever Oscar for the score Titanic, but he also broke box office records with a score that sold millions of copies, and for a soundtrack that only contained one song (they just could've bought a single of that winning ballad), this is extraordinary. This proves that good film music is approved by everyone that loves a film every afternoon. James Horner in a way proved that film music is far from a community drug, and more that we score fans shouldn't be afraid of a little exposure now and then. Now, concerning the score Titanic, this is film music at its finest because emotion runs high and drama isn't far away from the ocean. But I know deep in my heart that the movie made the score big, but in retrospect the exact same thing, because all those people crying wouldn't have done this without Horner's emotional cracker of a score. Titanic also got a lot out of Sissel's vocal work and more than we realize out of Celine Dion's balled but all together have made it one of the biggest and best selling soundtracks of all time. Movie music at this level can sweep any person of its feet and I'm glad it has happened to one of my favorite composers of the list.

But the reason I think Titanic is a winner is not Celine Dion or James Horner in particular but vocalist Sissel, adding so much love, emotion and character to the most emotional moments of the film. Horner knew exactly what was needed to make the magic work on screen and with a powerhouse score and an emotional depth, it all made goddamn "money making" sense. Titanic first of all starts with a Scottish, Celtic or whatever influence when a bagpipe is heard, introducing us into the main theme of the movie, after this in 'Never an Absolution' we hear Sissel's vocal work and a women's choir. This is a great start for the score and we get more of the same with track 3 when a great choral moment is supporting the first view of the Titanic with almost rhythmic control in 'Southampton' (I always loved this moment). But also the glorious and utter stunning love theme in 'Rose' is fantastic, especially here I feel that Sissel's own voice makes the entire score of Horner work. Following this is the exact same rhythmic choral movement in the next great track 'Leaving Port' and more of the same in the track '"Take her to Sea, Mr. Murdoch"'. At this point, you have received everything that made the score in general so successful (even if it was a bit short in some occasions). Still, surprisingly, the ship has just shipped out of the port or we follow the tragic encounter with the Iceberg in the second part of the score, the fight against time.

'"Hard to Starboard"' is the first powerhouse track and as quoted so many times before, or has been on the other soundtrack's review page, it takes a lot of Courage Under Fire but true, it perfectionises it and it gives the track a whole lot more suspense, you actually feel the suspension rumbling until the fatal clash happens right before your eyes. The next tracks all feature this unveiling tension and make the score just perfect for the scene, the occasional love romance in 'Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave' is more than welcome and never seen as a burden. Especially 'Death of Titanic' is a very aggressive and at times atonal piece of music but if any is complaining, this will not bother you during the actual (stunning) scene of the movie. 'An Ocean of Memories' is the next grand highlight covering, again the emotional voice of Sissel and the themes that made the score great before we at least give Celine Dion the chance to give her million dollar making booty a workout, with the ever familiar song 'My Heart will go On', but thankfully this song is composed by Horner, meaning it stays perfectly close to the score and proves that the score alone was accepted by anyone. Because voice, lyrics as music make the song, not the voice itself. 'Hymn to the Sea' is a brilliant finale and sums up more of that beautiful, emotional gift the score has been haunting us from the start.

Titanic is just like Braveheart, a score that can do no wrong when it needs to. Both, accepted by so many and just hated by those who aren't true to themselves, it is a testament that James Horner is one of the best magicians of music when it concerns the emotional tone of a film. It not only made scores like Braveheart big but also, Bicentennial Man and Casper, soundtracks that keep mentioning its presence when listening to Titanic. Also, the score's length proves what a listen Titanic actually is, because not a lot of 72 minute scores can keep me such enthralled as this one. It only makes the score better, for both score fans as regular people who hardly have a soundtrack in their possession at all. And as stated, it rightfully took the Oscar for best original score of '97, and also the ever winning song Oscar of sensation Celine Dion. Whether people think the Oscar is earned or not should read this: "Anyone contributing enormously for the soundtrack community in composing a score that blows away the entire population deserves an Oscar, just like The Lion King of Hans Zimmer and just like The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring of Howard Shore.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Never An Absolution (3.03) Excellent Track

2. Distant Memories (2.23)

3. Southampton (4.01) Excellent Track

4. Rose (2.52) Excellent Track

5. Leaving Port (3.26) Excellent Track

6. "Take Her To Sea, Mr. Murdoch" (4.31)

7. "Hard To Starboard" (6.52) Excellent Track

8. Unable To Stay, Unwilling To Leave (3.56)

9. The Sinking (5.05)

10. Death Of Titanic (8.26)

11. A Promise Kept (6.02)

12. A Life So Changed (2.13)

13. An Ocean Of Memories (7.57) Excellent Track

14. My Heart Will Go On: Celine Dion (5.10) Excellent Track

15. Hymn To The Sea (6.25) Excellent Track

Total Length: 72.31

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: James Horner ===