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Post by jb11sos on Jul 29, 2013 12:15:21 GMT -8
We all know that some film score themes manage to transcend the love of a dedicated community of listeners such as this one and become iconic reference points for the power of film music. I'm curious to know, though, what themes you feel are worthy of that larger cultural awareness despite never achieving it: those definitive themes which helped form, shape, or build your love and appreciation for film scores. These are also probably the themes you immediately go to when you want to share your passion with someone who doesn't listen to film music, as an example of what makes it so great.
Here are a few of mine to start; please share yours! There might be some differing opinions as to how "iconic" a theme might be, but in general, my definition was based on how likely it was that the average person could name the film after hearing the theme.
God theme from The Prince of Egypt, as heard in "The Burning Bush"
Flying theme from Hook, as heard in "Remembering Childhood"
Heroic theme from The Chronicles of Narnia, as heard in "The Battle" and "Only the Beginning of the Adventure"
Treasure theme from National Treasure 1 and 2, as heard in "Page 47" (a strange choice, I know, but I think this track is absolutely stunning)
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Post by Southall on Jul 29, 2013 12:17:01 GMT -8
My two favourite film themes are Papillon by Jerry Goldsmith and The Last Metro by Georges Delerue.
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Post by christopher on Jul 29, 2013 13:25:25 GMT -8
I think themes from Hook are pretty iconic, but maybe that's just because I grew up with that film.
I think the theme from MEET JOE BLACK that gets the huge orchestral performance in "That Next Place" is one for me.
Nigel Hess's theme for LADIES IN LAVENDER is amazing.
Williams has a host of iconic themes, but one of his best and less well-known is his theme for ANGELA'S ASHES. It's gorgeous.
These themes, though, are never really the sort to stick in the public consciousness. They're beautiful, but not instantly memorable like so many of the most famous themes.
If THE ROCKETEER had a bigger audience, perhaps that theme could have become iconic. It's up there with the best action/adventure themes ever.
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Post by cflast on Jul 29, 2013 13:36:54 GMT -8
I absolutely adore the theme to the Rocketeer. I also think Horner's "Achilles' Theme" is one of the best hero themes of the 2000s (Shastakovich rip be damned).
I think Avner's theme from Munich is one of Williams' best efforts, even though that score was overshadowed by Geisha that year. The solo guitar performance of it is stunning.
Michael Kamen's "What Dreams May Come" theme, based on the song he wrote with Mark Snow called "Beside You," gets me every time. Absolutely gorgeous. Everyone seems to dislike the movie too but I really loved it.
This is more a case of a usually unmentioned theme from an iconic score, but Korngold's theme for Friar Tuck is one I always find myself humming randomly, even as a rarely used secondary theme amidst a mass of other brilliant themes in the score. Something about that melody sticks with me, can't quite put my finger on it.
Sure there are dozens of others, but those are what come to mind off the top of my head.
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Post by Pawel Stroinski on Jul 29, 2013 14:04:48 GMT -8
I would add Hans Zimmer's theme from Spanglish to this. It's weird how this score got overlooked even with all the very positive reviews even from the composer's detractors.
I think it's one of his most beautiful melodies, period and the performance in Bus Stop is some of the most touching moments I've ever heard on this side of James Horner.
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Roman
Scoring Assistant
Quick tip: Never let a werewolf drive your car.
Posts: 114
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Post by Roman on Jul 29, 2013 20:11:12 GMT -8
My vote has to go to "The Construction" theme by Goldsmith in "Explorers". It's really a great theme and he does some really fun things with it in the score.
Oh and Taarna's theme from "Heavy Metal". That is one of my favorites, but not many folks outside of film score fans know that one.
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Post by indy2003 on Jul 30, 2013 5:39:41 GMT -8
Goldsmith's Papillon and Elfman's Edward Scissorhands are probably my two favorite themes of all time. I know the latter is a pretty conventional pick, but I still melt every time I hear it.
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Post by chollman on Jul 30, 2013 6:22:04 GMT -8
I guess it might be somewhat iconic for role-playing game fans, but I would add Terra's Theme by Nobuo Uematsu as one of my favorites.
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Post by Craig Richard Lysy on Jul 30, 2013 6:34:55 GMT -8
Wow, where do I begin;
1. Delerue's main theme to Rich and Famous sweeps me away every time. 2. Desplat's The Meadow from Twilight New Moon. The lyrical meandering piano line just mesmorizes me. 3. Rombi's main theme from Angel - classic golden age romanticism.
Me thinks this morning's French roast is affecting me! ;D
All the best!
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