Search - Vangelis :: Chariots of Fire

A pinnacle for Vangelis

Sean A. Fulop | Fresno, CA United States | 02/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This version of Chariots of Fire, personally remastered by Vangelis, is a welcome edition to be sure. Many older editions, and especially vinyl records, were clearly mastered from tape reels that had a slight flutter. The sound quality of this recording is now to a level of perfection that I never imagined existed even on the original tapes.



During the late 1970's, Vangelis rose to prominence in Europe with his unique efforts to fuse "classical" styles---in particular the sweeping melodies characteristic of the Romantic period---with a minimalist style that was typified by repeating "ostinato" patterns played on electronic instruments. This approach reached a pinnacle, at least for its time, with the music for Chariots of Fire. The short but effective, and now world-famous, "Titles" track crystalizes this fabulous and absolutely unique fusion of styles, as if Vangelis had channeled Wagner (the original "movie music" composer) over an electronic minimalist continuo. Still one of the most remarkable examples of innovative musical style in the 20th century, and also commendable for its early effort to create much of the the sound of an orchestra using the rudimentary synthesizers of the period. Carrying the lead using an acoustic piano was perhaps the wisest choice of all for this piece.



Modern electronic composers can have little understanding of what efforts went into these multilayered tracks, when many synthesizers were still analog, and the ubiquitous Musical Instrument Digital Interface had yet to be developed. Tracks 2, 3, 4, and 5 show many interesting constructive features musically, which would have been very difficult to achieve at that time with the layering of synthesizers using analog multitrack tapes. The sixth track is not a Vangelis performance, but was included originally because it was indeed played in the film, and is rather nice to listen to anyway.



The piece de resistance of the whole affair is, ironically, a piece that does not appear in the film at all, so far as I know. The final track, exceeding 21 minutes in length, actually bears the title "Chariots of Fire," and should be regarded as Vangelis's effort to impart something of the flavor of the entire film through an extended orchestral suite with a piano lead and, naturally, an electronic minimalist backdrop framing the whole piece like bookends. Where "Titles" crystallizes the fusion of Romance and minimalism that became a Vangelis trademark, "Chariots of Fire" stretches out and explores the fusion in an extended format, with breathtaking results. While largely unsung in popular music writing about Vangelis, it is really this final track that makes the album one of the greatest in the Vangelis catalogue, and "Chariots of Fire" will one day deservedly take its place alongside the greatest music of the 20th century, even if today it is given short shrift.



"

"Chariots Of Fire" Sounds Better Than Ever!!!

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 04/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vangelis's score for the 1981 Oscar winning film "Chariots Of Fire" is probably the Greek musician/composer's best known work. 25 years after its original release, the "Chariots Of Fire" soundtrack album is brought back to life once again with a stellar remaster by Vangelis himself.

The beauty and vibrancy comes through in every track and especially sounds great on a large sound system.

Composition-wise, Vangelis was definitely at a creative peak churning out melody after memorable melody not just with the well-known "Titles" theme but throughout the entire album. The biggest evidence of this can be heard in the dynamic "Eric's Theme" as well as the epic 20 minute title track which plays almost like a Tchaikovksy or Rachmaninoff piano concerto.

In addition to the solid remastered CD, the packaging of the anniversary edition is also stellar with stills from the film as well as a recent photo of Vangelis himself. The only minor drawback with this edition is that there are no bonus tracks or outtakes. The powerful sound of the original music no doubt makes up for this though.

With this said, this latest reissue of "Chariots of Fire" definitely eclipses every other edition of this album. This is one of Vangelis's finest efforts presented in its finest form yet.

Indespensible in every way possible!!!"