Search - Elmer Bernstein :: To Kill A Mockingbird: Original Motion Picture Score (1996 Re-recording)

One of the true classics.

08/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The movie and the score for "To Kill a Mockingbird"have deep resonance for me. As a youngster, I played the originalsoundtrack until it was paper thin. Years later, there was a new recording which I got and was very disappointed. When I saw this latest recording, I got it with trepidation, but was thrilled to hear how closely it matches the original, down to the smallest nuance. The score is not typical of Elmer Bernstein, although it does contain some very recognizeable signature motifs. Yet it remains his most subtle and compelling work, in complete keeping with the movie itself. The opening title music alone is enough to evoke both the film and the time it captures so eloquently. As someone who cannot possibly appreciate the score without associating it with the movie, I played it for a friend who has never actually seen the film, and he was as mesmerized by it as I have ever been. And that is the word for it: mesmerizing. And brilliant. One of the true classics."

One of the best scores of all time!

11/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a brilliant score! If you've ever seen this movie than you should know that the music definitely stood out. Bernstein has created some beautiful themes for this score and weaves them in and out of different tracks. The first and last tracks are pure magic. On these tracks you can hear the main theme played by the full orchestra. In between these tracks Bernstein has the main theme played by the softer parts of the orchestra. Not only is the main theme great to listen to but this album also has great secondary themes. My favorite is the theme for Boo Radley. This theme can be heard at its fullest on track 13. This score is excellent and I highly recommend it to any film music collector or a fan of Elmer Bernstein. Buy this CD and trust me, you won't be sorry you bought it."

The origional sound track is better

I. Westray | 05/23/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"the music is a stylistic blend of copland, bartok & satie. a
large orchestral arrangement does not compliment the music.
the origional sound track was for a smaller ensemble & was beautifully restrained. it fit the music better & fit the movie
better. would someone PLEASE RE-ISSUE the origional sound track on
CD!! i know this is america where bigger is better but not in this
case.."