Dances With Wolves [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

This is one of John Barry's masterworks - if not indeed his magnus opus - and we've waited much too long for a comprehensive reissue. Whatever you think of Kevin Costner's film (and I'd hate to base a friendship on whether or not someone loved "Dances with Wolves" as I did) it would be a far less exciting movie without Barry's magnificent score. Eschewing the more traditional Western sound pioneered by Jerome Moross and Elmer Bernstein, which eventually descended into rank imitation and self-parody, Barry went for a lush, poewerful symphonic rhapsody. While avoiding ethnic cliches in his music for the Native American characters, he found expression for the more violent aspects of tribal warfare through a stunning, resonant, absolutely plangent use of percussion that quickens the pulse and suggests menace without going into histrionic overdrive. Barry's melodic work is no less impressive: in his justly famous "John Dunbar Theme," for example, there is a weird,...Read more

John Barry's masterpiece is simply one of the most breathtaking, moving film scores of all time. The rich variety of themes, and his trademark sweeping orchestration are unforgetteble. Most stunning, perhaps, is that the music that captures the epic grandeur of the American West better than any other was written by an Englishman, albeit one who has adopted the US as his home.

This CD does not present the score "in its entirety," as the liner notes claim, but there is a huge amount not available until now, and at the low list price, this is a must have for anybody who enojys film music.

I am reduced to a blubbering fool listening to this. I remember seeing this in the theater way back in 1990 and realizing that the music I was listening to at that time was gutwrenching, endearing and lump in the throat forming. John Barry captured the feel of Dances With Wolves to a tee. What a breathtaking journey he takes us on through this soundtrack. I am a fool for not buying this music until 2005. I have watched my copy of the movie over the years and now have this CD. The John Dunbar theme touches my heartstrings like no other song. Amazing how music can touch the soul. If you don't have this in your collection, do order it. You will be transported to a world that no longer exists. Excellent!