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As a film geek and a cellist, this was a delight to listen too. Scores from films with a Celtic influence? I’m there!
The City of Prague Philharmonic is conducted by several different people including Kenneth Alwyn, Paul Bateman, James Fitzpatrick, Mario Klemens and Nic Raine. It features both permanent members and those from other Czech orchestras that come in for recordings, and also contains a mixture of classical and jazz musicians. They have also done soundtracks for various films like Pan’s Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro, and a few David Lynch films. For a while, the Philharmonic was also called the Film Symphony of Prague with their beginnings being in film, television and, animation in 1947.
The scores are from such film composing heavy weights as James Horner, Howard Shore, Hans Zimmer, and Michael Kamen and from such films as Shawshank Redemption, Braveheart, Rob Roy, and Far and Away. It opens with the “End Credits” of the Coen Brother’s film Miller’s Crossing, an epic seven minute piece that warms the soul. A few fun familiar pieces come as well, with Lord of the Rings, followed by two of my favorites The Last of the Mohicans and Highlander. There are a few surprises from older films, such as Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and John Huston’s The Quiet Man.
Some fantastic songs off this album include “For the Love of a Princess” from Braveheart, “The Last of the Mohicans Theme” from The Last of the Mohicans, and “Now We Are Free” from Gladiator. Another noteworthy song is the “Training Montage” from the film Highlander. It was composed by Michael Kamen. While most will remember the soundtrack performed by the rock band Queen, Michael Kamen’s music for the film is often overlooked. The last song on the album, “Riverdance”, caps off the album with a lively tune that makes you want to dance.
The Symphonic Celtic Album is sure to please both cinephiles and celtic music fans.
Artist: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Album: The Symphonic Celtic Album
Hometown: Prague, Czech Republic
Similar Artists: Clannad, Lisa Gerard, Michael Kamen, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, James Horner, Carter Burwell, Victor Young, Sean O’Riada, John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Danny Elfman, Alan Silvestri, Randy Edelman, Trevor Jones, Bill Whelan, Enya
Romana Guillotte is a Film School Graduate and terribly average cellist that currently lives in Las Vegas, NV. In addition to writing reviews for Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Magazine, she moonlights as a barista when not volunteering at film festivals. She self-published her first novel Lydia’s Family in 2006 and is working on her second.
