This was one of his last great songs before he died tragically in his 30's in 1864. It is titled, "We Are Coming Father Abraam, 300, 000 More" and once again it is incorrectly identified as "Traditional" in the film, instead of to America's first great songwriter, Stephen Collins Foster. There is another Civil War song sung in the film which unfortunately isn't on the soundtrack CD album. There are also a few hints of patriotism, especially in the wonderful Williams arrangement of one of the most popular Civil War songs, "Battle Cry of Freedom" which is not "Traditional" as given in the End Credits of the film but was composed by George Frederick Root (track 7), and sung with great conviction by the Chicago Symphony Chorus, accompanied by a band-like ensemble including military drum accompaniment. One of them (track 10) has a series of folk-like instrumental fiddle tunes, arranged and performed by Jim Taylor. The film only focuses on Lincoln's last months in 1865.Īs befits this film, the score doesn't have a lot of rapid, rip-roaring themes, but there are a few lively tracks. The music is like a grand progression of a political life, and not just any life, but what many Americans believe was our greatest U.S. So, we have music that evokes grandeur, nobility, along with much suffering, and all of it accompanying the background of this superbly made film. That is, it harkens back to some of his earlier politically themed film scores, like BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, JFK, NIXON, and AMISTAD. I would agree there are similarities but this score for LINCOLN is more Williamsesque. Others who also deserve praise are: Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln, Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, David Straithairn as Secretary of State William Seward, as well as the rest of the excellent cast.Īs far as the Lincoln film score, some critics have called it"Coplanesque," meaning similar in style and mood to America's greatest classical composer of the 20th century, Aaron Copland, with works like A LINCOLN PORTRAIT, where the trumpet has a major role. He makes the filmgoer feel he is Lincoln and not just an actor. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg with an excellent screenplay by Tony Kushner and based partly on Doris Kearns Goodwin's best-seller, Team of Rivals, has superb acting by Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Like last year's stellar soundtrack for Steven Spielberg's WAR HORSE, which I named for a Sammy Award as Best New Film Score CD, this soundtrack for the eagerly awaited film, LINCOLN, is another winner. Music Recorded and Mixed by Shawn Murphy. ![]() ![]() Performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, Chorus Director. "They Swung John Brown To A Sour Apple Tree," * = excerpts arranged and performed by Jim Taylor, traditional: "WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE" (Piano Solo)(1:32) ![]() THE PETERSON HOUSE, AND FINALE (11:00)ġ7. THE SOUTHERN DELEGATION, AND THE DREAM (4:43)ġ6. CALL TO MUSTER, AND "BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM" (2:17)Ĩ. Music composed and conducted by John Williams.ħ.
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