Ride of the Firemares
Krull disc 2 track 6: "Ride of the Firemares"
composed by James Horner
Super Tracks 1983
Before Horner became the everyday name that he is in film scoring today, he had some of the most original and comprehensive scores to ever hit the big screen. Krull is one such masterpiece and I consider it one of the best films scores ever. My favorite track is this one, "Ride of the Firemares". It is so exciting you want to jump on some fantastic beast and fly through a mystical land. I am not as familiar with the movie, Krull, as I should being a fantasy lover. Maybe it was before my time and I have just not had the time to sit and absorb the Peter Yates film. Note to self: add to Netflix queue.
So I am going to jump right into the music. The key to this track is movement. The darn thing never stops. Running strings and woodwinds, beating brass, and ascensions abound. We start with bass instruments setting the stage with a quick rhythmic continuum which is accented by trumpets. The strings come in with hills and valleys of running notes. Then trumpets and horns compete to bring us to theme, lovely sweeping strings which create a flying dragon or perhaps a galloping horse. Flutes are continuing the running notes while the brass puncture. Then the horns repeat, one of my favorite parts, while a harp gets the background. We are treated to a back and forth between horns and strings until a softer version comes up. Strings and high woodwinds trill while trumpets take over. This continues in morphed form with a back and forth of the instruments, long melodies followed by percussive brass, running notes from strings and ascending builds with even some muted brass inserted. There is so much complexity it is hard to capture everything in a quick dissection. At one point the melody moves from trumpet to horn to baritone and you love it when the baritone belts that last note. The finale consists of the trumpets jumping through the scale which diminuendo to high strings.
Nothing James Horner has done since this compares. He utilizes the entire orchestra and creates an excellent sound. The album is two discs and each and every queue is unique and would leave the album empty if left out. The love theme is absolutely gorgeous and would take a detailed post twice as long to get through. As Horner composes less and less original works, you can pick up on his techniques more easily. However, in Krull, it is hard to do that because this was at the beginning of his career. Though there are times even in this album that you can hear his signature elements. Still, it is a joy to listen to each and every time.
So I am going to jump right into the music. The key to this track is movement. The darn thing never stops. Running strings and woodwinds, beating brass, and ascensions abound. We start with bass instruments setting the stage with a quick rhythmic continuum which is accented by trumpets. The strings come in with hills and valleys of running notes. Then trumpets and horns compete to bring us to theme, lovely sweeping strings which create a flying dragon or perhaps a galloping horse. Flutes are continuing the running notes while the brass puncture. Then the horns repeat, one of my favorite parts, while a harp gets the background. We are treated to a back and forth between horns and strings until a softer version comes up. Strings and high woodwinds trill while trumpets take over. This continues in morphed form with a back and forth of the instruments, long melodies followed by percussive brass, running notes from strings and ascending builds with even some muted brass inserted. There is so much complexity it is hard to capture everything in a quick dissection. At one point the melody moves from trumpet to horn to baritone and you love it when the baritone belts that last note. The finale consists of the trumpets jumping through the scale which diminuendo to high strings.
Nothing James Horner has done since this compares. He utilizes the entire orchestra and creates an excellent sound. The album is two discs and each and every queue is unique and would leave the album empty if left out. The love theme is absolutely gorgeous and would take a detailed post twice as long to get through. As Horner composes less and less original works, you can pick up on his techniques more easily. However, in Krull, it is hard to do that because this was at the beginning of his career. Though there are times even in this album that you can hear his signature elements. Still, it is a joy to listen to each and every time.
Labels:
Horner
No comments:
Post a Comment