War Horse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

December 12, 2011 by Dennis Amith 

John Williams and Steven Spielberg collaborate once again for a wonderfully crafted score by John Williams.  A beautiful soundtrack that manages to capture the British landscape but moreso, creating a wonderful music experience for its viewers and listeners.  Definitely recommended!

TITLE: War Horse

LABEL: Sony Classical

DURATION: 1:05:28

RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2011

1. Dartmoor, 1912
2. The Auction
3. Bringing Joey Home, and Bonding
4. Learning the Call
5. Seeding, And Horse vs. Car
6. Plowing
7. Ruined Crop, and Going to War
8. The Charge and Capture
9. The Desertion
10. Joey’s New Friends
11. Pulling the Cannon
12. The Death of Topthorn
13. No Man’s Land
14. The Reunion
15. Remembering Emilie, and Finale
16. The Homecoming

In 1982, Michael Morpurgo wrote the children’s fiction novel “War Horse”, a story set during the outbreak of World War I.

The book will receive its film adaptation courtesy of Steven Spielberg and is set for release in theaters on Dec. 25th.  The film reunites Spielberg with composer John Williams known for creating the soundtracks for the “Star Wars” films and “Harry Potter” films.  But Spielberg and Williams have worked together since 1975 with the film “Jaws”, “Schindler’s List”, “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial”, “Jurassic Park” and the “Indiana Jones” films and the two have had a unique relationship as Williams music is known to set the mood for a scene and has the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures.

So, it’s no surprise that Spielberg has reunited with John Williams for two of his films: “War Horse” and “The Adventures of Tin Tin” (both to be released in Dec. 2011) and continues on with their 40-year collaboration.

“War Horse” is story about Joey, the horse that is loved by young Albert but with World War I, the horse is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France.

Joey is ridden by Captain Nicholls is killed and the horse faces war, death and disease.  Meanwhile, throughout the years, as young Albert has now grown up to become a young man that enlists in the British Army, Albert takes part in a dangerous mission to get his horse back and bring him home.

The film marks a new beginning for Steven Spielberg.  One, creating a film about a horse, as the main character and portraying him at various ages.  The film also marks Spielberg’s first time cutting the film digitally.  But with the music, it must be inspired by the film, primarily of its British landscapes and sure enough, “War Horse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” manages to capture that feel of adventure but also the horse as it goes through its adventures.  Williams approach was to utilize brass instruments.

Songs on the soundtrack that manage to capture that feeling of adventure in British land are tracks like “Plowing”, a more menacing sound with “The Charge and Capture”, the escape by Joey as he goes to look for his horse via “The Desertion” and once again with “No Man’s Land”.

The brass is the key to the music of “War Horse”, creating emotion and feeling of the horse trough the ages.  Steven Spielberg said in the booklet notes of William’s composition, “I feel that John has made a special gift to me of this music, which was inspired not only by my film but also by my many of the picturesque settings of the poet William Wordsworth, whose vivid descriptions of the British landscape inspired much of what you’re going to hear.  I’m not sure what I can give John in return, other than a promise of more films to come…for as many more years as we both can imagine!”.

The CD booklet features production credits, a note from Steven Spielberg plus images from the film.

Overall, “War Horse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” is a well-crafted score by John Williams, one of the great American composers who creates not only just music that matches what he is seen on screen but most of all, creating an enchanting listening experience that fans of his music have expected and have constantly received for many decades.

A beautiful soundtrack that is definitely recommended!