Cinema Choral Classics

This is the first of two recordings issued by Silva in the last year focusing on choral music used in films over the past one hundred years. Unlike the second album, which contains selections from Alexander Nevsky to Mars Attacks, this release limits itself to films released only in the past 30 or so years. The arrangements on both albums are unique, with only a few reaching the same pacing and instrumentation of their original film counterparts. This isn't saying that the recordings presented here are not good, but those who are just expecting a compilation of previously released material may be disappointed.

The conducting chores are taken over by all three of Silva's preferred conductors, Nic Raine, Paul Bateman, and Kenneth Alwyn. The City of Prague Philharmonic is joined by the Crouch End Festival Chorus in performing these reproductions. Some original lyrics were also created, more specifically, those for Basil Poledouris' "Riders Of Doom" from Conan : The Barbarian, which, while researching the reconstruction, were found to be lost by the film company and new ones were written. Many of the shorter lyrics for some pieces were also included in the rather informative liner notes, which are becoming a Silva trademark.

Overall, upon recommendation, a purchase of the second volume would appease the novice listener, but if you enjoyed volume two, a purchase of this album would then be recommended.