1. The Bells of Notre Dame - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
2. Out There - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
3. Topsy Turvy - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
4. Humiliation - Alan Menken,
5. God Help the Outcasts - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
6. The Bell Tower - Alan Menken,
7. Heaven's Light/Hellfire - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
8. A Guy Like You - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
9. Paris Burning - Alan Menken,
10. The Court of Miracles - Alan Menken,
11. Sanctuary - Alan Menken,
12. And He Shall Smite the Wicked - Alan Menken,
13. Into the Sunlight - Alan Menken,
14. The Bells of Notre Dame (Reprise) - Alan Menken, Bennit, Gordon
15. Someday - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
16. God Help the Outcasts - Alan Menken, Menken, Alan
Album Description
Out of print in the U.S.! Digitally remastered reissue of the soundtrack to the 1996 Disney animated motion picture composed by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Features tracks by Bette Midler, All Four One, Tom Hulce and other cast members. Disney.
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The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2001-07-31)
- Publisher: Disney
- Label: Disney
- Format: Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
- Studio: Disney
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 38 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #6759
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Remastered version is worth the trouble 2008-05-09
Comment: Needless to say, this is one of Disney's best soundtracks. The remastered version is definitely an improvement. Why it was only released in Europe I don't know but it is worth going to the trouble to get it. Highly recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: epic and stunning 2007-05-08
Comment: by 1996, disney animation was starting to slide. after the lion king's huge success, pohahontas failed to live up to the lofty standards; it was successful, but not to the same extent. the hunchback of notre dame saw a similar dicline as well. although the film is impressive and powerful, possibly overly so, the soundtrack is a truly forgotten gem. the film is flawed and was not the success that was hoped for, but this soundtrack is one of the best that disney has ever offered.
the score here is one of alan menken's greatest. its hared to compare them all since they're all so different and show menken's brilliance as a composer that they all take on such life, but this is an A+ score. again menken uses sounds and rhythms from the setting to further the story. the brilliant use of greek and latin liturgical chants throughout much of the score and many of the songs bring power and weightiness that would have most definately been missed otherwise. these liturgical portions provide both the scores greatest strength but its greatest weakness as well. at times, sheer emotion that is present in most of his songs is missed and instead we are treated to an almost over-the-top style of music. still this is an impressive score by any standard that definately deserved the oscar but somehow missed it.
SCORE 5 out of 5
as for the songs, menken and steven schwartz provided some of disney's greatest. for the most the part the songs are intense, powerful, emotional and dramatic. the comic songs provide wittiness and cleverness that don't undermine the actual story (with one exception that i will get to ...)
THE BELLS OF NOTRE DAME - paul kandel is a phenominal presence here and the unbelievable flourishes of the score paired with the great story telling make this a top-notch opener for the film. the length never wears on and it stays incredabley impressive throughout. at times it does provide some strange moments musically that hint at levity in strange places, but nevertheless this is great
5 out of 5
OUT THERE - we first meet tom hulce's rendition of quasimodo here in this great song of longing. it is both emotional and powerful without being sappy. the biggest potential problem here would be having to live up to the intensity of the song prior to this, but out there does it with flawless ease. tom hulce's voice is also a great treat
5 out of 5
TOPSY TURVY - this is a great fun song that is both humorous but witty and clever. the humor doesn't compromise the story and keeps things moving in a dramatic direction impressively enough. this song shows an impressive maturity on the part of schwartz's lyrics and the audience that they will pick up on the sly humor.
5 out of 5
GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS - wow. this song's power and heidi mollenhauer's emotional performance raise this mere ballad of longing to something more and all the more impressive. this song literally moved me to tears because of the character's longing and emotional strength. the only complaint is that this could have been stronger if it was expanded similar to bette midler's version at the end. but still a great song that can't be missed.
5 out of 5
HEAVEN'S LIGHT/ HELLFIRE - first up is heaven's light. another beautiful little song from tom hulce who brings the same level of emotion and tenderness as before. the lyrics are soft and loving, perfect for quasi's ballad. then we have hellfire by tony jay. the intensity and raw sensuality make it a risky song for a disney flick, but it works brilliantly. the interesting thing is how the two pieces compare and contrast the two mens' feelings towards esmarelda; love vs lust.
5 out of 5
A GUY LIKE YOU - here's where things fly south. with this song we see none of the intensity or chants that accompany the rest of the soundtrack. alone this isnt that bad of a song. but within the film, it undermines all of the building drama with cheap cliched tactics. i understand the thinking behind the song; it shows quasi's delutions as to how esmarelda may care for him, even though she doesnt. but it could've worked much better if it used the wittier humor that is present elsewhere, it even undercuts the building drama on the soundtrack too.
2 out of 5
THE COURT OF MIRACLES - this is a short but darkly comical song that like topsy turvy brings dry humor and tongue-in-cheek humor to lighten up the song. it's short but worth a listen.
5 out of 5
SONGS OVERALL 4 out of 5
were it not for the disaster that is a guy like you, this would be a five star film and five star soundtrack. menken and schwartz showed on the rest of this soundtrack that they can do much better. this is still much better than most soundtracks out there today and blows many other disney works out of the water. this can't be missed by any disney fan or music lover in general.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Delightful music! 2007-04-20
Comment: The movie adaptation of this classic story was done so well by Disney (as if that would be a surprise to those of us that love Disney)...it stands to reason that the music would be fantastic as well. The original scores are so easy to learn and sing...I play this in the car almost daily for my children and we love to sing along. The music is moving to adults, and fun for children. I am sure that some of the concepts are lost on my little ones, but I know that they will come to learn the meaningful message this movie portrays soon enough. Right now they just love Quasi and Esmerelda. Quasi is a lovable character, but certainly not much to look at, which is why I love him so much. It shows that beauty is certainly the most vivid when we view it from within. What a wonderful message to send to our children in this world today, when looks and money seem to matter so much and the virtues mean so little.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Disney Treasure 2006-12-28
Comment: Just listening to opening melody at the beginning of The Hunchback of Notre Dame's soundtrack---a serene choral chanting that suddenly explodes into a magnificent, grand melismatic vocalization of the signature theme---it becomes instantly clear that this is unlike any other Disney album. Alan Menken's score surpasses any of his other works, including the celebrated Beauty & The Beast, and puts Hunchback at a musical level that no other Disney film can touch and probably never will. He ingeniously weaves a tapestry of music that is glorious and unforgetable, adding to the atmosphere of fifteenth century Paris, touching on ecclesiastical themes in a way that seems undoubtedly bold for a Disney film.
Tom Hulce makes for an endearing and poignant Quasimodo, a character so gentle and kind it would be easy to make him into the stereotypical, sappy Disney protagonist. But, no. Hulce's singing voice personifies an earnest sense of Quasimodo's integrity, and it's almost enough to break your heart as he sings his anthem "Out There". And if you aren't moved during that particular number, you must surely have a heart of stone if the short but stirring ballad "Heaven's Light" leaves you callous. Comparing the wonder of love to heaven's light, he sings "I knew I'd never know/ That warm and loving glow/ Though I might wish with all my might/No face as hideous as my face/ Was ever meant for heaven's light" with delicate innocence that brings a tear to my eye each time I hear it.
On the other end of the spectrum is the ominous baritone of Tony Jay as Frollo, the frighteningly human villain of the film. His big number comes in "Hellfire", with a subject so dark you would scarcely expect to find it in a Disney film. Maddened with lust (yes, lust!) for the gypsy Esmerelda, his lines such as "Like fire/ Hellfire/ This fire in my skin/ This burning desire/ Is turning me to sin" and "Destroy Esmerelda/ And let her taste the fires of hell/ Or else let her be mine and mine alone!" take on a sinister meaning. Adding to the song is the inclusion of canonical Latin chanting, which contributes to the song both musically and lyrically. The booklet that comes included in the CD handily provides the English reading of all the Latin libretto in the score.
But if "Hellfire" is the best song on the soundtrack, the score's jewel is the climatic "Sanctuary!". As I listen to it now, as I write this review, I remain just as awed by the foreboding music and haunting ecclesiastical chanting as I was when I first heard it years ago as a child. Beginning with a menacing rendition of the "Judex crederis"---"In our Judge we have believed"---the score settles into a subdued quietness that suddenly crescendos into a swirling tempo rubato, which in the movie accompanies Quasimodo's struggle to break from his captivity and rescue Esmerelda. The piece culminates as the choral singers cantillate "Gloria, gloria in excelsis!" as the music swells to a beautiful and breathtaking zenith. Here is the masterpiece of the soundtrack and a testament to Menken's prodigy.
Also notable are gems such as "The Bells of Notre Dame" and its reprise, which make good use of the movie's theme melody. "The Bell Tower" is a lovely instrumental, which features a rendition of the melody of "God Help the Outcasts" and "Out There", making for an enchanting and splendid piece. But the whole soundtrack consists of such exquisite songs it is impossible to praise them in their entirity without taking up too much space in this single review.
The only flaws are two in number. The lesser of the evils is "A Guy Like You", a comedic ditty that Quasimodo's make-believe gargoyle buddies serenade him with as he reminisces about Esmerela, whom he adores. This song is better in the context of the film, where the audience is abruptly and affectingly reminded that the gargoyle's claims that the object of Quasimodo's love returns his feelings are nothing but Quasi's imagination. Here on the CD, it just sounds like a garden-variety schmaltzy Disney tune that seems strangely out-of-place amongst the score's dark and brooding pieces.
Ah, but naught can compare to the torture Bette Midler unleashes on our eardrums with her cover of "God Help the Outcasts." Shame, it was such a pretty song, but the pathetically off-key screeching Ms. Midler tries to pass as "singing" is just laughable. Just skip this track and be content with the shorter but much more aesthetically pleasing version Heidi Mollenhauer sings in the movie. Trust me, you'll be doing your ears a favor.
Altogether, it's a true creme-de-la-creme for Disney soundtracks and definitely a must-have for any Disney fans as well as people who appreciate fine music. I only wish Disney hadn't sunk to the lows it is at today and continued to make movies and music like The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells of Notre Dame! 2006-04-16
Comment: I am a classic lit fan, but I have not read Hunchback of Notre Dame. I do know what was used from the book in the movie and what they changed to make it suitable for kids. But I am not here to discuss the movie.
I am here to discuss the music. People seem to diss this movie, but they tend to forget that the songs are quite truthful to the book. Stephen Schwartz is a GOD when it comes to lyrics; Alan Menken is an amazing composer. They work togethter amazingly. Unlike Pocahountas, I think this was much better because they were working with a story that was different than the fairytale children stories that Disney usually did. (This was done by the directors of Beauty and the Beast, and that was quite adult too if you can think about it.) The lyrics are adult themed in a sense.
The Bells of Notre Dame--Always gave me chills listening to it. You can just picture the story in your mind. You can feel the fear, the anger, and the mystery. "Who is the monster and who is the man?"... Who is?
Out There--This song is my personal favorite. It just captures Quasimodo's want to be like everyone else. It also expresses his gentle natured side that seems to be hidden behind the darkness of the catherdral's walls. I think Tom Hulce has an amazing singing voice.
Topsy Turvy--This is the longest of the written songs and the most interesting on screen. There is so much wit and creative humor thrown into this scene that the song ends up in your head for a couple days. I like the fact that they said the word "beer", but edited it later on in the Sing-Alongs. Oh well, more fun for the adults.
God Help the Outcasts--Now, I like this song...but I really didn't want it to be the actual song chosen for the movie. I much prefer "Someday" (which was going to be the song sung). I think this song just feels a bit out of place. I would have also liked it to feature Quasimodo dueting with Esmerelda, so that he feels a link between him and her. (If you purchase the rare Berlin Musical Cast of Hunchback of Notre Dame, he does!)
Heaven's Light/Hellfire--When I saw the movie in the theatres (I was 8 or 9), I loved these scenes. First, Quasimodo showing his adoration for carving a figure of Esmerelda and including it among the people in his figurines. It's sort of symbolic because he feels Esmerelda belongs among the people that she feels she is distant from. And then it flips to Frollo, over in his Palace of Justice. There, as in the book, he is tormented with the lust of killing Esmerelda and having her for his own. The choir, the voice of Tony Jay, the lyrics simply give you chills when hearing it. You can almost feel him ready to "go get her". Seeing it on film defys all other Disney movie scenes. Adults may be against their children seeing this, but really, it's not all that bad. My mother loved it.
A Guy Like You--I hate the Gargoyles and for a while I hated this song. But when watching the commentary, and having the directors saying that this was more of a fantasy in his mind--after all, the gargoyles are only made out of stone--it makes more sense and it's more appreciated. It'd be kind of stupid having Quasimodo going all "split personality" and singing this song. But it's good humor, wity lyrics, and it builds up for such a heartbreaking scene later on in the movie.
--Not included in the soundtrack is the reprise of "Heaven's Light" when Quasimodo sees that all hopes with Esmerelda are nothing now. It's a short little ditty, but I think it should hae been on the CD. Hopefully if the movie ever gets a special edition, the song will be included. And also some of the missing music...--
The Court of Miracles--I don't like this song. I feel as if it were created because they wanted kids intrest. So point being, it's for kids, don't expect anything from it.
And then we get the best of the best by Alan Menken. I call this, The Rage of Menken. Because he just goes all out with this soundtrack. Most importantly in the "Santcuary/And He Shall Smite the Wicked"... I think he just had a blast with that scene. Just listen to it and you're like, woah. I think it just captures the theme of the book to a "T". And if you take Latin, the choir is chanting actual words and phrases that correspond in what is happening in the scene. I find this to be the best of the soundtrack.
The Bells of Notre Dame--Makes more of an impact on screen when seeing all the characters for the last time. But still, it gives another moral to the kids, and it also answered the question in the begining of the movie, "what makes a monster and what makes a man?" Perfect. :)
And then there is "Someday". I love Someday, I'm not a fan of One-4-All singing it but it's good. I just would have liked a man and a woman duet of it, or perhaps just a woman singing it.
God Help the Outcasts sung by Bette Midler is torture to my ears. I just don't like that song being sung by her and I feel that he place on the soundtrack was just a bad choice. The song is just not something I would see her singing, her voice is unfit for it (watch Hocus Pocus, watch Gypsy). She's better singing songs that she can belt to. This one she tries to belt to, but it just sounds like crap.
In the end, out of all the Disney soundtracks, this is a true beauty. You get amazing lyrics, talented singers, and beautiful music. This deserves a spot on your shelf. Buy it now. And if you have not seen the movie, SEE IT. You'll love it, not over it's inconsistancies, but perhaps the moral of the story.
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The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
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