Chariots Of Fire
![]() | Polydor / Umgd, 1990, Audio CD Customer Rating: 37 reviews Recommend |
|---|
Most everyone is familiar with the romantic piano-and-synthesizer washes of the surprise instrumental hit "Titles (Main Theme)" from this 1981 film soundtrack. What is surprising is there's a lot more going on with this score. Greek keyboardist/composer had been recording albums for years before this soundtrack catapulted him into fame. He'd even been asked to join the prog rock band Yes at one point. He was wise to pass on the offer. Here you can hear the breadth of his talent at creating dreamy moods with synthesizers and classically inspired backdrops. Some of this music, however, doesn't quite hold its own without the visuals. Anyone looking for a stronger, more rock-like record by Vangelis should pick up Albedo 0.39. — Larry Crane
One of the most memorable soundtracks of all time, Vangelis's Academy Award-winning Chariots of Fire is such a landmark, it's become the stuff of parody whenever someone wants to punch a hole through sloppy sentimentality. But just go back to this 1981 film to relive a perfect marriage of image and music. Vangelis captures the heroism, grandeur, and pain of this racing drama, from the opulent main "Titles" theme with its echoing snare drum and piano cadences to the electronically abstract setting of Sir Charles H.H. Parry's choral work, "Jerusalem." Vangelis's score hangs suspended between orchestral lushness and electronic mood, sweetness tempered by the underlying psychological themes of the film. Often forgotten on this album is the extemporaneous title suite that, in the days of LPs, took up the second side of the album. Here, Vangelis explores some of the film's music cues at length, weaving them into a minor keyboard symphony. — John Diliberto
- Titles
- Five Circles
- Abraham's Theme
- Eric's Theme
- 100 Metres
- Jerusalem
- Chariots Of Fire
Title: Chariots Of Fire
Sales Rank: 2997 in Music
Creator: Vangelis, Vangelis
Label: Polydor / Umgd, 1990-10-25, Audio CD, 1 Disc
Format: Soundtrack
Item Dimensions: 0.2 pounds
Package Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches, 0.3 pounds
- Excelente soundtrack!!!
- Este clásico trabajo de Vangelis es una interesante muestra de las posibilidades que este gran compositor griego usó en los teclados de esa época para lograr una obra profunda y sobrecogedora. Bellísimo el tema "Jerusalem". Un trabajo profundo. Recomendable. More reviews
- Great disk...just like I remember it!
- Great disk! I had the LP way back when. Sure, the synthesizers are dated, but it still holds up and the CD I received looks great and performs great. More reviews
- It's all about the end...
- This is one of my favorite Vangelis CDs, and not because of the rather over-popularized track "Titles" which is popularly called "Chariots of Fire." In fact, the track titled "Chariots of Fire" is much longer, and is one of the better tracks on the CD, along with the beautiful choral work "Jerusalem." Great for relaxation, especially the last track. More reviews
- Chariots of Fire
- Saw the movie years ago, loved the music. Love this CD. Amazon has great service, order a lot from them. More reviews
- Great Album
- I love having this original soundtrack in CD form. I have the record as well. The CD quality is just as good as the record. Was very happy to know Amazon had it because I searched all over to find someone who had this soundtrack on CD. I have always felt the music on this album was very fitting for the life of Eric Liddell. More reviews

