Chariots of Fire [25th Anniversary Edition Remastered]

by Vangelis

Overview

Vangelis' electronic score for a film set in 1930s Britain seemed an odd match at first, but the title theme, with its echoing, manipulated rhythm box and melodic hook, became one of the most popular theme songs of the early '80s. Just hearing the opening 30 seconds conjures up -- for those who have seen the film -- shots of men running on the beach in slow motion, and has been borrowed, adapted, and ripped-off ever since. Suffice it to say that the other six tracks here can't quite match the punch (if that's the word for something so fey) of the title theme. Much of the rest is very sappy, if often melodic, proto-smooth jazz with a burnish of electronic screeches, washes, and fuzzy fake strings. If it works for the insular "Five Circles," it doesn't for "100 Metres," which so desperately wants to be Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" but can't quite get there with its watery synths -- suddenly you realize what a full orchestral arrangement could have added. Side two is a side-long "suite" of the themes on side one, created, one feels, to fill up space. Vangelis went on to snag more soundtrack work, notably Blade Runner. ~ Ted Mills

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/2008
Label:	Polydor
UPC:	0602498413982

Tracks

1. Chariots of Fire (Titles)
2. Five Circles
3. Abraham's Theme
4. Eric's Theme
5. 100 Metres
6. Jerusalem
7. Chariots of Fire

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Vangelis   Primary Artist,Keyboards
John McCarthy   Primary Artist,Director,Conductor
Ambrosian Singers   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus,Vocals,Ensemble
Brad Davis   Guest Artist
John Gielgud   Guest Artist
Dennis Christopher   Guest Artist
Patrick Magee   Guest Artist
Lindsay Anderson   Guest Artist
Hugh Hudson   Director
Ian Holm   Guest Artist
Nigel Davenport   Guest Artist
Peter Egan   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Ambrosian Singers   Orchestration,Performer
Main Titles   Artwork
Harry Rabinowitz   Arranger
William Blake   Composer
Hubert Parry   Composer
Vangelis   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Performer,Songwriter
Ben Cross   Actor
Raine Shine   Engineer
John Walker   Engineer,Engineer,Engineer
Raphael Preston   Engineer
David Puttnam   Producer
Cheryl Campbell   Actress
Dr. John Walker   Engineer
Alwyn Clayden   Design,Art Direction
Evangelos Papathanassiou   Composer