In my experience, people seem to love or hate this score (arguably one of the most stylistically quintessential score written by RE ). Although it would have been interesting to see what a more major composer would have done but for what he did, Randy Edelman wrote a good listening experience for the album (its effectiveness in the film can depend on who you ask). The main theme is definitely typical of Edelman (Tom Daish once described it as "They are patriotic, look how damn patriotic they are, duh, aaarrggghhh!!!!" in the opening cue).
I just got my hands on the 2 disc set, and while I'm enjoying it immensely, it's one of those scores where I personally feel it is marred by the fact that the synth sound is so prominent. Same goes for Edelman's BRISCO COUNTY JR. theme. Just personal taste, I guess.
Love it, and it was great during the film in one of the last giant screen showings before the last giant screen theater closed here. I've always looked for Edelman to match this, but most of his work since has not gotten there, IMO.
It's very homophonic (no, not homophoBic!), as are most of Randy's scores, having a distinct pop vibe while at the same time alluding to more classical, orchestral Americana music. It's quite good, but quickly wears out its welcome after a while -- and after repeated listenings. But it's nice to return to now and then. I play it ever so often (I didn't even realize there was a 2CD release).
I have the Gettysburg 2cd Milan version of the score.
I personally still enjoy it as a listening experience much more than the original single cd also released by Milan.
And as a bonus, the long slim storage case not only holds the 2cd's and booklet nicely, it also holds my original oversized WB ticket to the premiere showing of the film Gods and Generals which is signed by director Ron Maxwell, author Jeffrey Shaara, and actor Brian Mallon.
I like the themes in Gettysburg a lot... would have loved it if there was a full orchestra backing it up.
favorite Edelman score for me = Dragonheart... a favorite of the Academy Awards as well
I wish the score was orchestral as well.
I give Maxwell a ton of credit for getting that first one done as well as it was.
Keep in mind that it was Ted Turner's money behind the two films that got made from the novels, why the music took the direction it did in these projects is strange.
You'd think that Turner would have wanted that big dramatic orchestral sound.
It's very homophonic (no, not homophoBic!), as are most of Randy's scores, having a distinct pop vibe while at the same time alluding to more classical, orchestral Americana music. It's quite good, but quickly wears out its welcome after a while -- and after repeated listenings. But it's nice to return to now and then. I play it ever so often (I didn't even realize there was a 2CD release).
It's very homophonic (no, not homophoBic!), as are most of Randy's scores, having a distinct pop vibe while at the same time alluding to more classical, orchestral Americana music. It's quite good, but quickly wears out its welcome after a while -- and after repeated listenings. But it's nice to return to now and then. I play it ever so often (I didn't even realize there was a 2CD release).
A really enjoyable score. Surprisingly powerful considering the lack of a full orchestra. I do think this style of music was inappropriate for the film. But as a stand alone score its a great listening experience.
I love this score although from Edelman I prefer Angels In The Outfield, While You Were Sleeping and His amazingly upbeat score for The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
But I really like this guys work and wish he would do more.
I certainly don't like everything Randy Edelman does, but he has done some good work. GETTYSBURG being one of them. The man does not get enough credit for what he has done. DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY being my favorite. It is a great listen from start to finish on CD.
Thanks for the video! It sounds so much better with that live orchestra. I've been a fan of Edelman since his first work I heard, Gettysburg. He is quite overlooked, but does have a penchant for composing beautiful melodies. He's one of the composers I would LOVE to contact to get his signature, but contact information on him seems quite elusive. Oh well.
Oh, and for anyone who reading, we still want (at least one) MacGyver release!!!!!!
I believe it's not the music people dislike - it's the choices of instrumentation. I have a really hard time with such prominent and massive use of synthesizers in Civil War score. The video posted of the orchestral version proves my point. It needed an orchestra. Apart from that the only other thing that bothers to me to no end is that the film itself has the most fake-looking beards and moustaches in movie history. It drives me crazy because the actor's play their roles with such conviction through those ridiculous looking hair pieces. I mean, REALLY ridiculous looking. Having said all that, The Battle of Little Round-Top sequence is masterful and makes the film. (I saw it in it's theatrical run).
I believe it's not the music people dislike - it's the choices of instrumentation. I have a really hard time with such prominent and massive use of synthesizers in Civil War score. The video posted of the orchestral version proves my point. It needed an orchestra. Apart from that the only other thing that bothers to me to no end is that the film itself has the most fake-looking beards and moustaches in movie history. It drives me crazy because the actor's play their roles with such conviction through those ridiculous looking hair pieces. I mean, REALLY ridiculous looking. Having said all that, The Battle of Little Round-Top sequence is masterful and makes the film. (I saw it in it's theatrical run).
Actually, I think the orchestration is mostly orchestral. It's just how the synths are overlayed tricks you into wondering what's real and what's not.
A good project for Tadlow. Re-record it to picture for orchestra only (no synths), conducted by the composer, and in addition to selling it as a CD offer it to the studio for use as an additional, alternate soundtrack for the next Blu-Ray release. I wonder what the composer would think of that? Perhaps he likes the original just as it is. Or maybe he'd love to have another go at it with bigger, purely orchestral forces.
A good project for Tadlow. Re-record it to picture for orchestra only (no synths), conducted by the composer, and in addition to selling it as a CD offer it to the studio for use as an additional, alternate soundtrack for the next Blu-Ray release. I wonder what the composer would think of that? Perhaps he likes the original just as it is. Or maybe he'd love to have another go at it with bigger, purely orchestral forces.
That would be a good idea.
I've got the 2-CD commemorative set for the score. While Edelman did a fairly good job with it, I think it sort of hurt the score by being all synth.
It would really probably benefit the score with a re-recording from a real orchestra.
A good project for Tadlow. Re-record it to picture for orchestra only (no synths), conducted by the composer, and in addition to selling it as a CD offer it to the studio for use as an additional, alternate soundtrack for the next Blu-Ray release. I wonder what the composer would think of that? Perhaps he likes the original just as it is. Or maybe he'd love to have another go at it with bigger, purely orchestral forces.
It's just the question of market. A re-recording is very expensive, so you need to print a lot of CDs to make the average cost per CD something reasonable. Even though it is cited as one of Edelman's best scores, he's still a relatively minor name.
