Editorial Review:

Amazon.com essential recording:
Most everyone is familiar with the romantic piano-and-synthesizer washes of the surprise instrumental hit 'Titles (Main Theme)' from this 1981 film soundtrack. What is surprising is there's a lot more going on with this score. Greek keyboardist/composer had been recording albums for years before this soundtrack catapulted him into fame. He'd even been asked to join the prog rock band Yes at one point. He was wise to pass on the offer. Here you can hear the breadth of his talent at creating dreamy moods with synthesizers and classically inspired backdrops. Some of this music, however, doesn't quite hold its own without the visuals. Anyone looking for a stronger, more rock-like record by Vangelis should pick up Albedo 0.39. --Larry Crane

Amazon.com:
One of the most memorable soundtracks of all time, Vangelis's Academy Award-winning Chariots of Fire is such a landmark, it's become the stuff of parody whenever someone wants to punch a hole through sloppy sentimentality. But just go back to this 1981 film to relive a perfect marriage of image and music. Vangelis captures the heroism, grandeur, and pain of this racing drama, from the opulent main 'Titles' theme with its echoing snare drum and piano cadences to the electronically abstract setting of Sir Charles H.H. Parry's choral work, 'Jerusalem.' Vangelis's score hangs suspended between orchestral lushness and electronic mood, sweetness tempered by the underlying psychological themes of the film. Often forgotten on this album is the extemporaneous title suite that, in the days of LPs, took up the second side of the album. Here, Vangelis explores some of the film's music cues at length, weaving them into a minor keyboard symphony. --John Diliberto









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Disc 1:

1. Titles
2. Five Circles
3. Abraham's Theme
4. Eric's Theme
5. 100 Metres
6. Jerusalem
7. Chariots of Fire, Film Score

Rating: - * Graet movies always have great music ... The experts always remind us the the music supporting a movie should be subtle, understated and unobtrusive. The soundtrack to Chariots of Fire not only meets and exceeds the above criteria it also stands firmly on its own. This CD, I believe, would be a winner even if it had not been heard by millions the world over as part of their theater going experience. Pop this disk into you favorite CD player, curl up in your favorite chair with a good book or magazine and let your ears become your source of relaxation for an hour or so. And, by the way, you may just see well conditioned and highly motivated men running on the beach. Danny R. Morrow Rating: - * Chariots of Fire ... My husband really loved this movie. He likes to read also and enjoyed the book. Rating: - * Vangelis Masterpiece ! ... Vangelis score for Charriots of Fire is imho the most celebrated work of the composer...The score defines perfectly the essence and spirit of the film.....I highly recommend this Cd.... Rating: - * vangelis does it again ... beautiful spinetingling music at times a most serene at times too each piece has its own story to tell Rating: - * Richly deserving of the Academy Award it won in 1981 ... This is the album that put progressive electronic composer Vangelis on the map and brought him to a wider audience. In fact, Chariots of Fire (1981) was the first synthesizer score to win an Oscar and was dedicated to Vangelis' father (who happened to be a sprinter) who died just before Chariots of Fire was released. Although I am extremely fond of his work with Aphrodites Child and his solo albums from the 1970s, there is enough of the sweeping, sunlight-beaming-down-through-the-clouds analog synthesizer "thing" on this album to keep this hard core progressive rock/electronica fan extremely satisfied. In fact, this may very well be my favorite Vangelis album. What I find most impressive about this album is the care with which Vangelis composed each piece - the arrangements are excellent, with skillfully crafted melodies and harmonies plastered throughout. The different voices of the analog synthesizers used on this album, e.g. ARP 2600 modular; Korg PSS3300; Moog Minimoog; Oberheim 4-Voice; Roland Jupiter 4; Sequential Circuits Prophet 5; Yamaha CP80 electric grand; Yamaha CS80 etc, are used very well, lending each piece a very symphonic feel. For those of you that are curious, the synthesizer tone colors are very warm and analog sounding - as an analog synthesizer fan, I enjoyed this album a great deal. The seven tracks on the album range in length from 2'04" to the epic 20'41" Chariots of Fire suite and are very contemplative and at times quite gloomy. In the midst of this grey mist, there is a rousing and uplifting version of Jerusalem (an English hymn written by Blake and set to music by Parry) complete with the grandeur of a pipe organ and a choir. The theme on the opening track Titles, is restated in the closing piece Chariots of Fire, thus bringing all of the pieces together. Well there you have it. This is an excellent album by Vangelis that stands as the first synthesizer score to receive recognition at such a high level. Very highly recommended along with Opera Sauvage (1979).