Glory: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

When it comes to James Horner, I always rely on two scores of his: Braveheart and Glory. Both had beautiful themes which caught me. I've heard Horner recycles many of his scores, which i'm not denying as false, but I just never noticed it from the soundtracks he has composed that I heard. If anything, most of his soundtracks I really don't like that much, just don't grab me like Braveheart and Glory did. In Glory, I remember watching it, me in my civil war faze at the time. At the end of the movie, Shaw (Broderick) standing on the beach looking out into the ocean wondering whether it was his last breath, his last look at life. And then the Beautiful theme came up. It captured me, I fell in love with it and it just warmed my heart and at the moment, all that mattered was that moment of music. I must have rewinded it like 3-6 times JUST to hear that theme. Just a wonderful, powerful and dramatic piece. The rest of the album is good as well, but that theme alone is what makes...Read more

I've loved "Glory" since the first time I saw it (in school one day as a history "assignment"). Initially, I didn't quite understand all of the details of why I enjoyed it so much, however. Obviously, one of the main reasons is this score, which is sometimes so subtle you don't realize it's there, but is at all times applying an influence. It may be to uplift you ("Jubilee"), make you sad ("Whipping"), courageous ("Fort Wagner"), or somber ("Epitaph"). I've shed a couple tears while watching the charge on Fort Wagner, and even listening to the music alone can almost stir the same level of emotion.

The orchestral parts are superb, but there is something particularly stirring about the use of the boys choir. Namely at the emotionally-charged climax, when we are confronted with the harsh results of their failed plans. The simple, innocent voices contrasting against that imagery is startling.

I'm not an ascribed fan of...Read more

I am a huge fan of movie soundtracks. I've listened to them my entire life, before any other form of music. This score stands out from all the others I have ever heard in my life. James Horner deserved the Oscar he got, but not for Titanic. Don't get me wrong, Titanic was good, but you have to admit that the Oscar was for the popularity of My Heart Will Go On. I see his Oscar as one for Glory, just delayed by 9 years. I am a huge fan of John Williams, but this one score by Horner is equal to any of Williams' Oscar winning performaces. Horner's use of drums and the fifes are just as powerful as Williams' violin solos by the legendary Itzak Perlman in Schindler's List. If you want to be emotionally moved by a piece of music, you won't find a better cd than the Glory soundtrack by James Horner. Other suggestions: Appollo 13 by Horner, Hook and Nixon by Williams, Star Trek First Contact by Jerry Goldsmith.