Search - Laurence Rosenthal, Joel McNeely, Munich Symphony Orchestra :: The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Volume One (Television Series)

Elegant Music For An Elegant TV Show

Luis M. Ramos | Caracas, Venezuela | 07/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At first, I wasn't sure that "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" was going to really work on TV. However, I'm very glad that George Lucas created a TV show of such finesse that it was quite difficult to get my eyes away from the screen. And there are Laurence Rosenthal and Joel McNeely who created elegant scores for such an elegant TV series.
Let's start with Rosenthal's main title: it may not be the theme John Williams wrote for the movies, but it has the adventure spirit of Indiana Jones.
Then there is "Verdun 1916". The piano solo playing the tragic background of the battle that occured there is touching. Joel McNeely seems to have been inspired by the "Carmina Burana" because there is a variation during the battle scenes; and adventure explodes when young Indy rides on his motorcycle.
Laurence Rosenthal gets subtle in "Peking 1910", using tradiional Chinese instruments. Sometimes subtlety turns into darkness when Indy -as a child -falls ill.
In my opinion, the best moment of this CD is McNeely's "Paris 1916" when teen Indy falls in love with Mata Hari. This piece of score is so beautiful that not only conveys a Parisian environment, but also the bittersweet romance at the center of the story.
And let's wrap up with Rosenthal's Spanish flavored score for "Barcelona 1917". A combiation of comedy and drama with a nice usage of guitars, trumpets, and castanets.
This is an interesting compilation with a wide variation of styles that suits perfectly in such an elegant album."

A great CD for a great adventure

Kurt Hunt | Windy Harbor, ME | 02/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I picked this CD, I wasn't sure what I was going to get. I'd always enjoyed John Williams work on the Indiana Jones movies but Lawrence Rosenthal and Joel McNeely were new names to me. But, after I had listened to the CD, I'll admit, I was blown away!Both composers do a fantastic job of creating a soundtrack that you can listen to WITHOUT having seen the Young Indiana Jones Chronicals. This is a great CD for lounging around the house, driving to work, even having your girlfriends parents over to dinner.I highly recommend this CD and all the other volumes in the collection."