Search - Carter Burwell :: Hamlet: Original Score from the Miramax Motion Picture

To buy or not to buy, there is no question. Buy it!

Joel Munyon | Joliet, Illinois - the poohole of America. | 08/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Carter Burwell fans will not be dissapointed with this one. This score will take the listener deep into the mind of the obsessed Hamlet, and oh what a dark road it is. As is the case with many of the great film composers, we get to see what the characters are feeling through the music, and Burwell creates a tremendous feeling of dread, obsession, and revenge within the audience. It's a masterful job and one not easily done.But buyer beware, this is not for the constant fan of upbeat musical scores. This cd will take you to a realm of dark melodies and a deep feeling of hopelessness. On a brighter note, though, this score is great to write by, especially for dark and gloomy subjects. To sum it all up, this cd is for the music fan of not only cheery and pleasant music, but also for those who tend to wander into the dark regions of the other spectrum. Good luck to you on this one. The melodies are brilliant and are somewhat hard to forget, stirring emotion deep within the listener. Enjoy and get ready to hear some serious music."

"each theme underplayed is the power of this score"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 08/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Varese Sarabande presents Carter Burwell's latest score - "HAMLET", many mood swings in this soundtrack, which draws the listener into a music trance. An example of this is track four - "DARKROOM", inner themes that go seemingly into counter melodies and back again. Much of this score is dark and brooding - "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" goes deep into the subconscious - "WIRING OPHEILA" simple and moving effective track - "THE END" which is the final track, very classical sounding to the very last note, with a resounding strike of percussion.Burwell who gave us such wonderful scores - "MILLER'S CROSSING" (1990) - "ROB ROY" (1995) - "FARGO" (1996) - "THE CONSPIRACY THEORY" (1997) - "GODS AND MONSTERS" (1998) - "THE CORRUPTOR" (1999) - "THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER" (1999), once again proves his talent as a composer knows no boundaries.This score with each theme underplayed and orchestrated is the power of the entire album, almost what Bernard Herrmann strived for in his film music. The first time you hear this score you dismiss it, but give it another listener and then another, and see if you don't agree. Believe Carter Burwell has given us a classic score, for a very classic title - "HAMLET!"Total Time: 39:14 on 13 Tracks/ Varese Sarabande - 302 066 125 2 (2000)"